By Sarah Campbell
scampbell@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — Some administrators in the Rowan-Salisbury School System are saying goodbye to pen and paper and hello to iPads.
All seven of the district’s middle school principals received the devices last week.
Rita Foil, the school system’s public information officer, said the iPads were purchased with dollars from the middle school curriculum fund to act as a tool to increase efficency and decrease paper waste.
“As we continue to move toward more online expectations for evaluations, classroom walkthroughs, assessments, etc. it is important that the instructional leaders are able to effectively and efficiently utilize technology tools to ensure the success of teachers and students,” she said in an email to the Post.
Foil said all principals can now perform teacher evaluations online, but the iPads will gives middle school administrators an added advantage.
“The iPad is mobile and affords the principals the opportunity to record information in a timely manner, be visible in the classrooms and continue to main efficient operations,” she said.
What principals say
Although the principals have only had the devices since Wednesday, they are already making use of them.
Nancy Barkemeyer, principal of West Rowan Middle, said she’s excited to have the new technology at her fingertips.
Thursday “I walked through rooms showing my iPad off to students, taking pictures and having conversations with kids about how technology makes learning more fun,” she said in an email. “Having a new ‘toy’ helped me make connections with some kids.”
Southeast Middle School Principal Skip Kraft said his iPad has also sparked interest among students.
“I was in classes today with my iPad doing walkthrough evaluations and the kids were fired up, they kept asking ‘is that an iPad?’ ” he said. “They love it.”
Dr. Beverly Pugh, principal at Corriher-Lipe Middle, used her new iPad when U.S. Congressman Howard Coble, R-6th, stopped by social studies teacher Tim Safrit’s class Thursday.
Pugh said she’s looking forward to going paperless and providing instant feedback to teachers.
“It’s all about improving classroom instruction,” she said.
China Grove Middle Principal James Davis said he also likes the immediacy of the iPad.
This week he took notes, filled out an evaluation and e-mailed it to the teacher before even stepping out of the classroom.
“I think the impact that it has on classroom instruction for students in making teachers more effective is by far the No. 1 way we can use it,” Davis said.
Davis said some of his teachers have already gotten to experiment with his iPad, using it for math drills, tutorials, reading free books, flash cards and accessing newspapers and magazines.
“My hope is that teachers would receive them at some point,” he said. “And, ideally kids would have them too.”
Davis said technology greatly increases student engagement.
“I think with this type of technology the possibilities for instruction are endless,” he said. “I think it’s a good tool for administrators, kids and teachers.”
Cost savings
Kraft said using the seven iPads, which cost about $3,500, is going to cut down the amount of paperwork he currently does.
Foil said that time savings will also equal a cost savings as the district works to reduce paper consumption.
Davis said he’ll be using the calendar component instead of the traditional planner and the notepad application instead of a legal pad.
“As far as the amount saved from becoming paperless, that is an unknown number at this point, but we do know that we will realize a savings,” Foil said.
Starting small
Like many of the school system’s other projects, such as the 21st century model classroom and iPod touch program, the iPad initiative is being launched as a pilot program.
“We are starting small with plans to grow,” Foil said.
Foil said at this time it’s uncertain if all principals will receive the devices.
“That will be determined by the successes as this process moves forward,” she said.
Kraft said right now he feels the iPads provide a good way to role model not only for students, but for staff.
“The technology is great, it brings us into the 21st century,” he said.