iPads gaining popularity among Mumbai schools

Using a blackboard and chalk to teach lessons in a school is “history”, feels Dr Vladimir D Kuskovski, principal of Oberoi International School in Goregoan.

Using a blackboard and chalk to teach lessons in a school is “history”, feels Dr Vladimir D Kuskovski, principal of Oberoi International School in Goregoan.

HT Image

For the past three months, more than 200 primary section students from the school have been using 25 iPads offered by the school as a pilot project. The school trains ‘The Power Group’, a core group of teachers, once every week on how to use the iPad effectively in the classroom. The school will decide in February 2012 on expanding the use of the tablet. An increasing number of schools have begun incorporating iPads in classroom teaching..

“We will introduce iPads from the next academic year,” said Vandana Lulla, principal of Podar school. However, a recent circular issued by Podar International School in Santacruz stating that it would provide iPads to 840 students from Class 6 to Class 12 has upset some parents. She said that about 10 % of the parents are opposed to the move.

“We were never consulted before introducing iPads, there is no clarity on whether the school will conduct exams using iPads,” said a parent who requested anonymity.

“By offering iPads, schools are encouraging peer pressure tactics,” said social psychiatrist Harsih Shetty. Tannu Kewalramani, chairperson of the Parent Teacher Association at Podar school, said most parents were in favour of the move.

The Group’s chairman and chief executive officer, Jesus Lall, said that students from nursery to Class 1 use iPods while those from Class 2 to Class 8 use iPads as they cannot handle a small device like the iPod. Class 9 and Class 10 students are provided Macbooks.