Apple iPads Now a Requirement in Knoxville, Tennessee School

Webb School of Knoxville is preparing to equip students with Apple iPads as a requirement that replaces heavy text books. The iPad acts as an answer to the constant need for more technology in schools, said Director of Technology Jim Manikas.

"To be able to use that technology whenever they need it is key, rather than as it is now," Manikas said. "They have to check out a cart, a laptop cart, or schedule lab time to take a class to a lab."

According to a report by wate.com, a local online publication, any student who doesn't already have an iPad will be able to lease one via a payment plan that the parents themselves can set up.

"We're going to make that as easy as possible," Manikas said. "We'll offer a lease, a three-year lease for that. In essence, you're talking about $200 a year, paid over a 10-month school year, you're talking about $20 a month."

The iPad is not included in the private school's tuition. At the end of the lease, the school plans to upgrade the hardware, and turn in the original iPads.

Asked what he thought of the school’s initiative, Webb senior Andy Pope said:

"One of the cool things is like you can go to the Weather Channel app and switch it to Spanish, so you can see what the weather is in Spanish, or economics, looking up stocks, or English being able to look up novels quickly or being able to switch between novels.”

“There is such a big library of different things you can do," Pope, who already uses an iPad, explained.

"We really want this to be a replacement for textbooks over time," added Manikas. "We have some students carrying 50 to 60 pounds of books and the iPad weighs just a pound and a half."

Teachers are determined to proceed with implementing this mandatory program, as they themselves own iPads and have tested them in the classroom.

According to English Teacher Elli Shellist, “there are things we can do better on this than we can on a paper text.” Shellist said he was really excited the first time he got his hands on the Apple tablet.