$1 billion in tax dollars for iPads for students and teachers (Los Angeles: 2013, buying)

[gerrythesnake]

I was listening to Tom Leykis today and he was talking about this today. He was mad lol.

iPad software licenses expire in three years, L.A. Unified says - latimes.com

Contradicting earlier claims, Los Angeles school district officials said Tuesday that their right to use English and math curriculum installed on district iPads expires after three years.

At market rates, buying a new license for the curriculum would cost $50 to $100 each year per iPad, an additional cost that could surpass $60 million annually. The expense would add to the price tag of the $1-billion effort to provide a tablet to every teacher and student in the nation's second-largest school system.

The iPad program had a delayed and troubled rollout. Early on, the district ordered them kept at schools after students bypassed security filters so they could freely browse the Internet. Another issue has been the release of conflicting, misleading or incomplete information. Such an issue arose Tuesday.

[genjy]

LAUSD needs better teachers and adminstrators, not iPads.

[GatsbyGatz]

How about classes that don't have a teacher to student ratio of 1:40?

[yby1]

I hate that they used construction dollars for this. I understand the need for tech in the classroom, but this was poor planning.

[jm1982]

This is pretty upsetting and I think the likelyhood of lausd passing more bonds / taxes could be at risk .

There are way to many indicators the system is failing and corrupt or both .

Spending is way too high for the results .

It's not right to use funds intended for one purpose for something else .

And why is it that these huge purchases them end up being a good deal .

iPads are also the more expensive of tablets on the market . Regarding the licenses ... These devices could very well be obsolete in 3 yrs .. That's quite a long time for technology .

Also I'm sure most of these students have a smartphone and other gadgets .

[ElysianEagle]

Originally Posted by genjy

LAUSD needs better teachers and adminstrators, not iPads.

this.

i wouldn't be at all surprised if Apple has (behind the scenes) lobbied hard for iPad adoption in schools. not only do they have a guaranteed market for their product now, but kids growing up on iPads guarantees a future market as well for Apple.

:shakes my head:

[majoun]

Everyone who OK'd this deal should resign and be investigated for fraud.

[quixotic59]

As a teacher I feel that this is truly a crime. The idea that technology solves all the problems in a classroom is not true. If anything, it introduces more problems. As was previously noted the money would be used more effectively if it assisted in lowering class size or even for providing more basic supplies like paper, pencils, rulers, calculators, maps, musical instruments, art supplies etc. How about expanding services for those students having trouble or expanding technical education programs forthose whose future does nit lie inan academic path?
The influence of corporate greed in schools is out of control. Money is being diverted to technology companies and testing companies and is having no positive effect on classrooms.

[jm1982]

Originally Posted by quixotic59

As a teacher I feel that this is truly a crime. The idea that technology solves all the problems in a classroom is not true. If anything, it introduces more problems. As was previously noted the money would be used more effectively if it assisted in lowering class size or even for providing more basic supplies like paper, pencils, rulers, calculators, maps, musical instruments, art supplies etc. How about expanding services for those students having trouble or expanding technical education programs forthose whose future does nit lie inan academic path?
The influence of corporate greed in schools is out of control. Money is being diverted to technology companies and testing companies and is having no positive effect on classrooms.

True and technology requires more technology. I also heard the episode of the Tom Leykis show that the OP mentioned , and one of the callers familiar with the situation said that the wifi at the schools couldn't support the iPADs. Not surprising. This means millions more likely to get their wifi network up to the correct standards.

In the state LAUSD is in currently, they need to focus on the basics rather than getting distracted with expensive technology.