This is the second of several feature articles we are publishing which were written by Boothbay Region High School’s AP Language students. According to BRHS AP Language teacher Mark Gorey, the articles are a different incarnation of their Champions of Change proposals. One of the requirements for this assignment was to cite research sources.

Boothbay Region High School currently issues our students iPads as an education device. iPads provide students with access to apps, a large touch screen, durability and portability. I am currently a graduating senior of BRHS, and I use an assigned school iPad as well as my own personal Apple laptop.

Although iPads have great features, they still lack capabilities which laptops offer. Most jobs in the “real world” still involve using computers and laptops. I am proposing to the CSD school committee the idea of changing the school-issued devices from iPads to Chromebooks, a change which will give all students the same ability to complete school assignments and will better prepare students for life beyond high school.

Our school (BRHS) is currently leasing technology from the state of Maine as part of the MLTI (Maine Learning Technology Initiative). According to Mrs. Manahan (the current BRHS Technology Integrator), “We are approaching the end of our contract in which we have a split deployment. This means we have new devices enrolled every two years.” If the end of the contract is upon us, we need to act fast for a possible change.

As a member of this year’s AP Language class, I sent out a school-wide survey for the students to answer questions about iPads vs. laptops. In the first question, I asked students to indicate which device they use as their primary education devices (choices included school iPad, home iPad, tablet, smartphone, Chromebook, Apple computer, and Windows PC. The results were the following: School iPad 51.8%, Apple computer 36.5%, Windows PC 7.1%, and Chromebook, smartphone, and home iPad made up the last 4.8%. From this data, I can see that about half the students are actually using the school assigned device which is an iPad. About 43.6% of the students are using their own personal laptops.

The next question, would you prefer BRHS to provide students with a laptop or an iPad as an education device? 69.4% of the students indicated that they would prefer a laptop. 20% said they would still use their own device, which is most likely a laptop. So 89.4% of the students said that they would prefer a laptop. This leaves only 10.6% of the students who prefer an iPad as an education device. In conclusion, this data clearly shows that most of our students prefer to use laptops.

In addition to not being the device most students prefer, iPads have other drawbacks. iPads cost a lot because they are Apple products. Furthermore, using iPads students can easily download games instead of using them for school work. Most importantly, iPads don't have hard drives so students are limited to only apps from Apple’s App Store. I interviewed my math and engineering teacher Mr. Powell and he mentioned that “Laptops have an actual hard drive which allows you to download hundreds of CAD programs on the internet. iPads don’t have that compatibility to download like laptops do.” For example, I downloaded a CAD program called Rhinoceros, with which I designed 3D objects for an engineering class. Similarly, I found an article from MainePublic.org which explains how students at Sebasticook Valley Middle School in Newport, Maine were supplied with laptops in a shop class to help them design and print 3D robot projects. This Newport school is very similar to our high school in that each student is assigned a device, in this case a laptop. The laptops allow their students to run Computer Assisted Design (CAD) programs which allows them to be more technologically advanced with working in the shop room.

One of the biggest concerns is that people think that laptops are too expensive for our school budget. iPad Airs and Pros range between $600 to $800. A more affordable laptop for schools is a Chromebook which ranges between $300 to $400. According to the current AOS 98 Technology Coordinator Lisa Smith, iPads are working well, but she did say that Chromebooks are an affordable option. Ms. Manahan, who will be taking over the Technology Coordinator role starting next year, agrees that Chromebooks are a good alternative because they are affordable, and she also believes that students should have hands on experiences with laptops. Chromebooks are well suited for teaching and learning because they can run all Google programs including Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, and more.

Almost all teachers at BRHS already use Google programs, so I believe Chromebooks will be the perfect fit.

I am proposing to our school committee to make the best choice — a laptop such as a Chromebook — when deciding which device will best prepare BRHS students for the “real world.”

Works Cited

Feinberg, Robbie, and Brian Bechard. “VIDEO: How Maine's Laptop Program Turned One District's Students Into 'Tech Sherpas'.” ​Maine Public, www.mainepublic.org/post/video-how-maines-laptop-program-turned-one-districts-students-techsherpas​.

Manahan, Abby. May. 2019. Interview.

Powell, Ben. May, 2019. Interview.

Smith, Lisa. May, 2019. Interview.