SHARON SPRINGS, N.Y. - The next reading assignment Sharon Springs High School students receive probably won't come from a book, but an app on their new iPad.
On Thursday the school district announced that all 150 students from grades seven through twelve will be receiving iPads to be used at home and in the classroom throughout the school year.
"I think the fundamental thing is thinking of ways to engage 21st century learners in things that will benefit them in the future," said teacher Tom York.
York said the average student doesn't want to flip through pages anymore, they want to click on screens, and schools need to evolve with that trend.
"The fact is we know what responsible behavior is and some parents don't know, so they don't feel comfortable talking with their kids about technology so they just cut it off or they let it wide open," said York.
Students say the iPad is something you expect on Christmas, not the first day of school.
"It's kind of cool I never thought I'd get this kind of opportunity in school to use this kind of technology," said one student.
"Books are just too boring," said another student.
"Gonna have more fun, going to have more capabilities," said a third student.
Parents say it will make homework a whole lot easier.
"The math part I can deal with but social studies and science I don't well. I can probably type something in and do it a lot quicker rather than spend two or three hours trying to dig it up in a book," said parent Christopher Stanton.
However, some question whether or not the iPad will create too many distractions.
"People already listen to music, go on Facebook, during their own time. I don't know how this will make it any different," said student Holly Spiess.
The $215,000 pilot program is being funded through BOCES State Aid and a grant from Senator James Seward's office, who attended the meeting.
"I think it's the wave of the future, I think it's become a model for other school districts, I think Sharon Springs is leading the way," said Seward.
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