You might think that it's the kids' decision, but you'd be wrong – the school committee in the city of Auburn in the great state of Maine has approved a plan to fulfill every five-year old's dream – an iPad. You might have also thought that since it's for the kids, they could have gone for the discounted first edition in this troubled economy, but you'd be wrong twice. With that said, comes the shocking number - $200,000 for second-gen iPads for 285 kindergarteners and additional tablets for the teachers as each tablet will cost $479.
The iPad 2 program has the sole goal of increasing literacy from the current 62% to 90% by 2013 and Apple's tablet is the perfect tool for that, at least according to literacy instructor Mauri Dufour. And while some parents love the idea, others like Nicole Fortin commented:
“It’s crazy. I look at all of the budgetary restraints we have. Our school system loses money every year to certain things. This is a lot to put in the hands of a 5-year-old.”
After a special training program, the kids as well as the teachers will be allowed to take the iPads home. To fuel the controversy even more, a recent study suggested that iPads are mostly used for gaming. Oh, and 6-year olds who have missed the opportunity must be green with envy. Don't you just wish you were a kindergartener nowadays?
source: IntoMobile and FreeRepublic
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