e-Texts to Replace Traditional Text Books for 2012-13
Princeton, NJ – Following a successful pilot program, The Hun School of Princeton www.hunschool.org announced this week that all Eighth Graders and Freshmen will be required to utilize iPads beginning this Fall as an initiative to enhance their overall academic experience. The move comes after considerable thought and study, in keeping with the institution’s commitment to excellence and innovation.
The school cites several factors in deciding to launch this new initiative. First, the use of iBooks and iTunes U allows for enhanced and dynamic content. With text, videos and other interactive tools built into the textbooks, students will experience unparalleled access to course material.
The use of iPads breaks down barriers between students and teachers as both will be using the same device and platform allowing for a portable and more accessible high-tech, high-touch cooperative and interactive relationship.
Students will experience a net savings when compared to the expense of printed books, planners, notebooks and calculators.
Finally, The Hun School administration believes that constant access to technology is not only more enjoyable and engaging, but also leads to increased performance and test scores. The school plans to monitor academic progress and other factors in evaluating the success of this new program, which it hopes to share with other academic institutions in helping them to evaluate the potential benefits of replacing paper texts with e-texts.
“Students today have grown up in an environment where technology is an integral part of their lives. The way that they learn and receive information has changed dramatically and continues to rapidly evolve. The use of iPads will open a whole new set of possibilities for teachers and students alike. We anticipate that, in those two grades, traditional paper texts will, in most cases, be replaced by excellent, engaging, and affordable e-texts. Universal iPad access will make it easier to use the educational apps and other iPad tools that already enhance many of our classes. Essentially, their books will be located within one iPad providing access to a wealth of knowledge and information at the tap of a finger,” said Headmaster Jonathan Brougham.
The school plans to provide iPads to eighth and ninth grade teachers this summer, giving them ample time to work with the device prior to the fall semester. “We will spend the next several months working with faculty on integration and professional development, though many are already developing ideas on their own,” commented Brougham. “This will be a highly collaborative process between administrators, faculty and ultimately students.”
About The Hun School of Princeton:
The Hun School of Princeton is a co-educational, independent college
preparatory school in Princeton, New Jersey. Founded in 1914 as a
tutorial school, The Hun School prides itself in its traditional
curriculum and strong student-faculty relationships. The Hun School
is comprised of 610 residential and day students representing
twenty-one countries in grades six through post-graduate.
For more information, please visit http://www.hunschool.org.
