High School students nab new tablets, some parents angry over $50 insurance fee
By Claire Byun, The Sun News (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Students at the
"We tried to run through every scenario before starting this process," Jones said. "So far, so good."
AAST is the district's second high school to receive the tablets. Though the devices are free to use, students must pay a
Before the Dell tablets, the school had iPads and laptops they could use while in school. Now, students can take their devices to every class and even take them home, if the insurance is paid. Jones said about 30 percent of students already had a personal tablet or laptop at home, but the Dell Venues create uniformity and give all students an equal platform.
"These (tablets) are going to be quicker and easier, because they're connected to our school's network," Jones said, "and teachers can control what goes on them, and what doesn't."
Each student's tablet runs Windows 8 and comes with a power cord, keyboard with a built-in battery, clamshell case and a small laptop bag. The district spent
This year each school is offering for
Allen said there was some backlash against the fee from parents who were not informed of the new charge until a few weeks before the new semester.
"One of the main concerns we heard from parents was that the insurance was announced so late," Hucks said. "But these devices are really going to level the playing field, because now all students have access to technology all day, every day."
There is a payment plan for parents who find one-time payment difficult, or who have multiple children to cover. Those who do not pay the fee will be responsible for any damage incurred to the device, said
"It's a
An earlier message about the fee would have probably helped quell parent anger, Britton said. She had several parents call the district with more questions, but were somewhat soothed after learning everything the non-required fee covers.
Britton said the insurance fee could have been announced even later, since not everything was in place by the mid-August announcement.
"In actuality, the notification came early -- it could have been delayed into the first of the semester," Britton said.
The
The Dell Venue beat out several other laptops and tablets, such as iPads and a Chromebook, during a month-long process this summer that included teachers, administrators, principals and a handful of students. Each participant contributed to a list of requirements for the device, and later tested a variety of tech tools. The overwhelming majority favored the Dell tablets, Allen said.
"The high school students were looking for something with a keyboard, but they also wanted a tablet," Allen said. "The Dell Venue offers both of those things, so that won the majority."
Students seemed to enjoy the new gadget Tuesday morning.
"It's pretty cool," said
"It'll be much faster to type with the keyboard, unlike the iPad, but it's also touch-screen so it's like a normal tablet," Nesmith said. "I'm so excited."
The district paid for the tablets through their personalized digital learning initiative, which uses penny sales tax revenue to fund the
"These should give students to chance to learn at their own rate," Hucks said. "The technology skills they're going to obtain will help prepare them for both college and the work force."
Though he'll only get to use the tablet for a year, senior
"It's so cool. It's going to be so much easier to do all my stuff now."
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