14 DAY TRIAL // Apple has hit the wires with a second big announcement today, this time involving education. The computer giant has scored a massive deal with the Los Angeles School Board of Education to equip students across the country with iPads.
The Cupertino giant has received approval from the Los Angeles School Board of Education to begin a huge iPad rollout to students across the district.
This initial phase will commence in fall, followed by a more ambitious initiative to put iPads in the hands of students across the country.
The commitment is for $30 million / €22.3 million worth of tablet computers.
Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, said, “Education is in Apple’s DNA and we’re thrilled to work with Los Angeles Unified public schools on this major initiative as they plan to roll out iPads to every student across 47 campuses this fall.”
Schiller added, “Schools around the world have embraced the engaging and interactive quality of iPad with nearly 10 million iPads already in schools today.”
Jaime Aquino, LAUSD Deputy Superintendent of Instruction, chimed in to say, “The Board voted unanimously for Apple because iPad rated the best in quality, was the least expensive option and received the highest scoring by the review panel that included students and teachers.”
“The vote is another step forward in the District’s plan to equip every one of its students with a device by 2014. When completed, the LAUSD will become the largest district in the nation to provide each of its students with the technology,” added Aquino.
The iPads rolling out to students this fall will be pre-installed with the Pearson Common Core System of Courses via a specialized app.
In addition to the courses, Apple will pre-load the tablets with its own iWork productivity suite, which includes Pages, Keynote, and Numbers.
iLife and iTunes will also be found on the tablets’ home screens, along with “a range of educational third-party apps,” Apple said.