NEW HAMPTON, N.H. -- A prep school in New Hampshire will make use of one of the hottest new high-tech gadgets on the market.New Hampton School announced that all incoming ninth-grade students in the fall will receive an Apple iPad as part of a pilot program to improve technology integration in the classroom."It is a tool that will help our students solve problems," said Hans Mundahl, technology integration coordinator. "We’re hoping to enable students and teachers to work creatively with one another in new ways. It has the chance to transform the way faculty teach and the way students learn."The program was funded by a reunion gift from the school's class of 1960. The school will evaluate the program to determine whether it should be expanded to all students.School officials said the iPad's slim design, speed and available software allows it to provide access to textbooks and other useful tools. Students will be able to create and share work easily, the school said.The iPad was released on April 3 and has been touted by Apple as an easy way to use the Internet, read books and use apps without the need of a full computer. Prices range from $499 to $829.New Hampton School is an independent, co-educational, college preparatory secondary school of 310 students from 30 states and 20 countries.
Spark is the only youth empowerment program in the country that addresses the dropout crisis by re-engaging at-risk students through hands-on, individualized apprenticeships.
These workplace-based apprenticeships—in professions each student has identified as a “dream job”—are complemented by a leadership curriculum, workshops, and field trips.
The Spark experience creates a powerful sense of relevance for students, while providing the skills and confidence necessary to find success in school and in life.
Spark offers this program to 7th and 8th grade students, through summer and after-school programs, in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles.