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"We're getting calls now, and we're more than happy to share," said Superintendent Lance Bagstad. "We've made mistakes, and we've done things right."

The sign in the hallway tells Renville County West fifth-grade students what they’ll need in class: social studies book, pencil, folder, iPad.

In another classroom, Quick Response codes on the bulletin board can be used to download assignments directly onto an iPad.

They are visual reminders of how much things have changed this year for students and staff at RCW, which has provided Apple iPads for all students in grades 4-12. Nearby MACCRAY Schools has provided iPads for students in grades 7-12.

There have been bumps in the road—the devices need better cases, because they break too easily, and there have been occasional issues with kids downloading unauthorized software.

But the positives have outweighed the negatives, school officials said recently. While this is still a transition year, they say they can see ways the iPads will help the district contain costs in the future.

As they need new textbooks, for example, they expect to use digital versions where possible.

For more news about iPads in the classroom, see:

Apple unveils interactive textbooks, revamped iTunes U ^[2]

Tips and success stories for effective mobile learning ^[3]

Schools see rising scores with iPads ^[4]

Many U.S. schools adding iPads, trimming textbooks ^[5]

Textbook-free schools share experiences, insights ^[6]

Their experience also has stirred interest around the state. RCW representatives were mobbed at a January school board convention, where people had to be turned away from their presentation.

“We’re getting calls now, and we’re more than happy to share,” said Superintendent Lance Bagstad. “We’ve made mistakes, and we’ve done things right.”

School Board member David Hamre said the board has been pleased with the progress seen this year.

“They are above and beyond what we ever dreamed of,” he said, “and it’s only the beginning.”

Schools largely have preferred iPads over other tablets because battery life is longer and because Apple has a wider selection of applications designed for education.

One concern with implementing a new technology is a dip in enthusiasm after the initial effort, Bagstad said, but he hasn’t seen that.

“The kids are engaged, and the staff is engaged,” he said.

Dale Negen, the district’s technology director, said it’s important to stay flexible with the technology, too. “The way technology is right now, who knows what will be next,” he said. “The iPad is only two years old.”

Students who violate school policies by harassing others or downloading inappropriate content face what’s called cleaning and blocking. Everything is wiped from their iPads except things required for schoolwork.

After about three weeks, they are given full access to the system again. Negen said he’s seen one student be reinstated and blocked again in the same day, but most are careful not to lose their privileges a second time.

The iPads allow a classroom to run more efficiently, said Gina Hagen, elementary dean of students. They can tell teachers which students understand a concept and which need more individualized instruction, she said.

For more news about iPads in the classroom, see:

Apple unveils interactive textbooks, revamped iTunes U ^[7]

Tips and success stories for effective mobile learning ^[8]

Schools see rising scores with iPads ^[9]

Many U.S. schools adding iPads, trimming textbooks ^[10]

Textbook-free schools share experiences, insights ^[11]

The district has loaded a number of homework tools on the iPads, too. Some of them are helpful for parents, who can “assist without having to know or recall everything,” she said.

In a sixth-grade classroom, students used their iPads to go over spelling words and read. Daniella Ridl of Danube likes having the iPad in class. “It’s easier to do our spelling tests,” she said.

Tony Froland of Sacred Heart said he likes school better when he’s using an iPad.

Teacher Aimee Mooney said she makes videos that students can watch while they are doing their homework. She teaches math to grades 7 and 8 and also works in technology integration.

Some students use their iPads to make videos during class, too, she said. It’s helpful for students and for parents “who don’t want to take seventh or eighth grade math over again.”

When she told her students recently that they would need to bring pencil and paper to take upcoming state standardized tests, “they all just groaned,” she said.

Mooney spends part of her day working with other teachers who are trying out new apps. “The teachers are doing great,” she said.

“It’s been fun to see them blossom,” Negen said, and none of the teachers seem to be avoiding the iPads. “I don’t think the kids would let them.”

“The kids are definitely teaching us a lot, too,” Mooney said. “I get about an app a day from students saying, ‘Check this out.’”

Mooney said she does everything in her class without paper. It lets her spend less time at a copier and more time on her lessons, she said. “I don’t know if I could go back,” she added.

For more news about iPads in the classroom, see:

Apple unveils interactive textbooks, revamped iTunes U ^[7]

Tips and success stories for effective mobile learning ^[8]

Schools see rising scores with iPads ^[9]

Many U.S. schools adding iPads, trimming textbooks ^[10]

Textbook-free schools share experiences, insights ^[11]

The district developed its wireless network as an in-house project, with assistance from Bennett Office in Willmar, Negen said. The Minnesota River Valley Education District has worked with the district on the project, too.

“The running joke last summer was that we ran 5,000 feet of wire so we could have wireless,” Negen said.

Breaking was a problem at first, and some teachers said they wouldn’t have sent them home with younger students right away, in hindsight.

“Apple didn’t make them for mass distribution,” Negen said, and schools have learned pretty quickly that the screens and cases break pretty easily. The district is in the process of purchasing new cases that encase the tablet in a rubber-edged case with a screen protector.

The district self-insured the iPads, with a $50 payment for those who wanted to take the tablets home. There’s a $150 family cap, and a payment plan available.

An iPad is replaced after an accidental break, but students and families have to replace them after that.

Copyright (c) 2012, West Central Tribune (Willmar, Minn.). Visit West Central Tribune online at www.wctrib.com ^[12]. Distributed by MCT Information Services.