=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
This E-mail is Sponsored by: Small Dog Electronics
--> Specializing in New & Factory Refurbished Apple computers <--
Surf to <http://www.smalldog.com> Check out our daily specials!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
http://www.insanely-great.com/news.php?id=437
Students, parents, teachers rave about iBooks
By ron carlson, Insanely Great Mac
May 20th 2002
Predictions of doom and illicit downloads have faded as pilot schools in Maine report
overwhelming success
Lewiston Maine''s Sun Journal
reports in the two months since Auburn Middle School was chosen to evaluate pilot the
State of Maine''s new program to provide a wireless laptop computer to every public
school seventh-grader. More than 90 Auburn students and their teachers have received
new Apple iBooks and the results have been impressive -- teachers, parents and kids
are calling the program a huge success.
Six months ago, Auburn teacher Steven Williams'' students would have drawn a poster
and written a short speech for their social studies project. Last week, they created
electronic presentations, complete with animation, sound effects and digital
photographs.
"They pick it up so quickly," Williams told the Sun Journal. "They have no fear. It�s
amazing."
For hundreds of students and teachers taking part in the pilot program, Apple iBooks
have become an integral part of life. Without the laptops, English teacher Linda
Penley said, "I''d feel like I lost my right arm."
Science teacher Nicole Melcher told the Sun Journal she was skeptical of the plan to
give laptops to seventh-graders when it was first proposed. Now she is a believer.
"They have blown my mind," she said.
However, not all is well with the program. Budget measures needed to support the
program have yet to be fully passed by the state''s legislators.
If you''re a Maine resident, take a few minutes and write your legislators to show
your support for the program. You can locate House members'' e-mail addresses here and
Senators'' e-mail addresses here.
Analysis: It''s good to see this program progressing so well, which is in stark
contrast in many respects to the ridiculous problems being encountered by a similar in
programVirginia.
I wonder if Maine students and teachers will get updated iBooks? There''s probably a
clause in the contract that calls for just that.
Post your comments at:
http://www.insanely-great.com/news.php?id=437
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Copyright (c) 2001 Insanely Great Mac. All rights reserved. This article
may not be republished in part or whole without explicit written
permission from IGM Publishing.
Brought to you by Insanely Great Mac <http://www.insanely-great.com/>
To SUBSCRIBE - send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with subject
subscribe macnews
To UNSUBSCRIBE - send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with subject
unsubscribe macnews
Subscription problems/questions please email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
