As technology continues to evolve and tablets become a commonly used device in the classroom, one academic department at Colorado State University-Pueblo has access to iPad minis that may be checked out by students.
Students enrolled in professor Sam Lovato’s media programming course were given iPad minis at the beginning of the spring semester to assist in studies and class activities.
Lovato was excited and told his students, “You all get pads!” at the beginning of the class. The students will utilize applications such as Blackboard, Newsstand, note taking applications and applications to help organize schedules for academic and nonacademic activities.
Lovato’s class is a hybrid class which relies on both online and in-person interaction. When the students don’t meet for class on campus, they are expected to use the iPad minis to assist in completing assignments online.
Another application that students will be expected to use is one that has access to the camera and allows the students in the class to see one another, whether they are at home, at a coffee shop, or even in bed.
Other than mass communications, it seems that no other departments on campus have the personal lending of technology or devices that are being tested to help students through their classes.
Lauren Parsons, a senior psychology major at CSU-Pueblo said, “None of the classes I’m enrolled in lend out iPads to any students. I don’t know of any classes that lend you iPads or laptops.”
Junior business major Lauren Dejoy had the same reaction. She said, “No, none of my classes have given out iPads. I just have my trusty, old laptop to get me through.”
“No other department has the money for it and it’s not necessarily needed,” Parsons said.
If proven to help students with their studying habits and by making hybrid or online classes more convenient, it is possible in the next few semesters that students from all departments will be given the chance to utilize iPads.
A lot of students find their laptop or tablet is enough to get them through their classes.
But in the next few semesters, if all textbooks can be bought as e-books, then students may only need an iPad or tablet. This could be the start of a new cut in school costs.
