School taking steps forward in education: Students regret the change
By Ronal Sorto

As a school well-known for the latest technological advances in education, Atlanta Adventist Academy is one of the pioneer schools in the Adventist system to incorporate iPads into their classrooms. The tablets replaced MacBooks in 2012. This innovative step forward improved the process of learning at the academy.

(L-R) Tram Anh Lee , working on her music production project. While Jeslin Henley, JP Green and Zicheng Huang play on their devices after school at Atlanta Adventist Academy in Duluth, Georgia on Tuesday. December, 16, 2014. (Ronal Sorto)

My freshman year the academy utilized Apple MacBook Pro’s as the primary student technology. I remember eagerly waiting to get my hands on all their “shiny techie toys.” It was a great tool for taking notes, completing, assignments, tests, and quizzes.

After replacing the MacBooks, iPads were still a new device with unknown capabilities.

As the academy took on this innovation, success seemed to be achievable. The iPad provided an interactive experience for students and compatible with the distance learning program. The biggest improvement was the inclusion of iBooks, which cost less than textbooks and are always up-to-date. Principal Matt Jones said iBooks,   “save us a little money while accomplishing the goal of always having a fresh textbook. ”

Back when the academy first made the switch, students were thrilled to have a new toy. However, today's students prefer MacBooks to iPads.

Senior Amber Durand said the efficiency of iPads are in some ways more effective than others. “For example, it is easier to download documents from the web browsers, email application on a Mac than on the iPad,” she said.

Atlanta Adventist Academy student Evan Davidson plays on his iPad during his Spanish class in Duluth, Georgia on Friday. December, 12, 2014. (Ronal Sorto)

Jones also said that some days he does “regret” switching to iPads.

The iPads are also capable of gaming and watching videos. This is distracting and has been the biggest problem in the academy.

This has led to severe restrictions on the devices, which could be why it has lost support among most of the students. Senior Class President Calies Van Philips said that she preferred the computers.“I just like them better. I don't like having that much needless restrictions,” she said. The iPads have issues with restriction software, like Casper Focus, used by teachers to monitor and lock devices and applications. This does not help.

The school applies restrictions, not as a punishment, but to promote the success of the students.

 “Students must learn how to get their work done in the real world and in the real world, there are a lot of distractions,” said Jones

(L-R) Students Tram Anh Lee, Jeslin Henley, JP Green and Zicheng Huang on their devices after school, as they wait for their ride home at at Atlanta Adventist Academy in Duluth, Georgia on Tuesday. December, 16, 2014. (Ronal Sorto)

As technology advances, every year the academy’s tablets become outdated. Apple releases a new model every few years, and it is hard to keep devices updated. Is a device upgrade on the horizon?  Originally it was planned to use the iPads for three years. So one of the things that will be done in the spring is deciding whether to replace the iPads or get some more to fill in where needed, said Jones. Newer models do not do much more than the current devices. However, the school computers are now four and five years old. “ I am sure we are going to make a big computer purchase in the spring,” Jones said.










***Extra Credit***