Auburn, Maine kindergarten students to get iPad 2s

The Aubrun, Maine school department has announced this week that every kindergarten student in the district will receive an iPad 2 tablet for the upcoming fall semester.

There are 285 students and teachers, and the endeavor will cost around $200,000.

As a test program, 20 or so students will get their iPads in May.

Says superintendent Tom Morrill:

When you look at what the iPad 2 apps that are out there, from learning your letters from books, that can be read, finger painting your name, it's absolutely something we must do.

School officials say they hope the iPads will boost literacy rates to 90 percent in two years. Current levels have hovered around 60 percent.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 10 Apr 2011 20:12

DXR88

so it begins, the age of humans that can no longer write with hand and utility's is upon us.

all prophecy aside im glade i was born when i was when learning your alphabets meant coloring them in a book with wax Crayola's not those shitty powdered ones they make these days. when finger painting meant making a dame mess, when we had arts like Music Practice, arts class, and PE and could have them all one after the next.

there is nothing fun about school anymore, no hands on interaction, no risk, no liability. why parents even send there kids to school anymore is baffling...school is like a daycare anymore just make sure the kids are pampered and happy before they go home.

11.4.2011 00:39 #1

KillerBug

Schools are there to brainwash the young while teaching them the basic skills that are useful for any blue-white collar slave. Parents leave their kids there because they are taxed to pay for it, and thus cannot afford to provide education and daytime child care by any other means.

I remember playing with legos in kindergarten...ones with little tiny pieces. For show and tell I brought in a bunch of bullets, but was outshined by the kid that brought in a BB gun...no issues and we both got smile stickers. In first grade we had a field trip to a rifle range...they made us stick to smaller ammo, but still...no 1st grade class is ever going to do that again.

11.4.2011 01:22 #2

jennavegas (unverified)

11.4.2011 02:02 #3

jennavegas (unverified)

Originally posted by DXR88: so it begins, the age of humans that can no longer write with hand and utility's is upon us.

all prophecy aside im glade i was born when i was when learning your alphabets meant coloring them in a book with wax Crayola's not those shitty powdered ones they make these days. when finger painting meant making a dame mess, when we had arts like Music Practice, arts class, and PE and could have them all one after the next.

there is nothing fun about school anymore, no hands on interaction, no risk, no liability. why parents even send there kids to school anymore is baffling...school is like a daycare anymore just make sure the kids are pampered and happy before they go home. did you pass all your English tests after first grade, if you're glad there is no e at the end, I'm has an apostrophe, damn is spelled with an n at the end ,and if they are taking their kids,it's spelled with e i not there.I'm so glad you are worried about them.

11.4.2011 02:07 #4

DXR88

Originally posted by jennavegas: Originally posted by DXR88: so it begins, the age of humans that can no longer write with hand and utility's is upon us.

all prophecy aside im glade i was born when i was when learning your alphabets meant coloring them in a book with wax Crayola's not those shitty powdered ones they make these days. when finger painting meant making a dame mess, when we had arts like Music Practice, arts class, and PE and could have them all one after the next.

there is nothing fun about school anymore, no hands on interaction, no risk, no liability. why parents even send there kids to school anymore is baffling...school is like a daycare anymore just make sure the kids are pampered and happy before they go home. did you pass all your English tests after first grade, if you're glad there is no e at the end, I'm has an apostrophe, damn is spelled with an n at the end ,and if they are taking their kids,it's spelled with e i not there.I'm so glad you are worried about them. You know there are errors in my writing, as well as i do. I could spend three minutes to correct my spelling and grammatical errors. Why should i do that? I am not here to please you, or even the next person. It's Astonishing the amount of children that make it through elementary school without the knowledge of Grammar and spelling. When your Child's daily life consists of reading OMG i Luv u Betty Lou. What do think the outcome is?

Can i spell? Can i use grammar properly? Absolutely. Some people do not have that luxury. They were never taught, only told what to do.

11.4.2011 02:52 #5

KillerBug

It deos not realy make any diference how yuo spell. The hamun mind will usually sort it out automaticaly and you will will get you're massage accross.

11.4.2011 03:35 #6

baxter00

What I want to know is - Does Auburn, Main have no social problems? Does every child have a good breakfast before class? Are there counselors and aids to help students that may have some problems at home or school that need to be addressed? I think the money would be better spent in those areas. Otherwise, just let them all bring their iphones and androids to school, and have the school techies write apps for that!

11.4.2011 08:05 #7

KillerBug

I would think that they must have a very good school system...I think their kindergarten literacy rate might be higher than the high school literacy rate in Detroit...the only reason I am not sure is because so many students from Detroit drop out before starting high school.

For the record, I totally support giving out tablets to students to replace books...textbooks are insanely expensive, large, heavy, and full of incorrect information. Switching to tablets would actually cut costs, it would eliminate problems 2 & 3, and it would allow for instant corrections to the text book, at least where the corrections do not go against the overall lie of the book.

I can't say I support giving out iPads tho...and it isn't just Apple hate. I wouldn't support giving out Android tablets either...public education should be open source.

(IF) I was in charge, the kids would be getting netbooks with linux on them...I don't just want to teach them to read and write...I want them typing 50 words a minute by grade 8, and you don't learn typing on a tablet. We have the tools to make learning quick, easy, and fun...we could make a super generation with ease...if those in power would let it happen.

11.4.2011 08:36 #8

computerman

I am hoping this article is not entirely accurate. I am hoping they meant to say that each child would have an Ipad at school that they would be supervised in using. A kindergarden aged child is way too young to know how to properly take care of something that expensive and fragile. If it is accurate, then that may well be $200,000 wasted dollars before long.

11.4.2011 09:24 #9

cgober1

Originally posted by DXR88: so it begins, the age of humans that can no longer write with hand and utility's is upon us.

all prophecy aside im glade i was born when i was when learning your alphabets meant coloring them in a book with wax Crayola's not those shitty powdered ones they make these days. when finger painting meant making a dame mess, when we had arts like Music Practice, arts class, and PE and could have them all one after the next.

there is nothing fun about school anymore, no hands on interaction, no risk, no liability. why parents even send there kids to school anymore is baffling...school is like a daycare anymore just make sure the kids are pampered and happy before they go home. If you review the spelling and grammer in your comments, you will notice several errors that might be indicative of the education you received. Perhaps trying another way of reaching students will help our country's young compete in a world economy amongst individuals who are proficiant in technology & communication. I remember the educational system you refer to. It helped create a generation that turned on, tuned in and dropped out.

11.4.2011 09:53 #10

CanSpell (unverified)

Originally posted by DXR88: Originally posted by jennavegas: Originally posted by DXR88: so it begins, the age of humans that can no longer write with hand and utility's is upon us.

all prophecy aside im glade i was born when i was when learning your alphabets meant coloring them in a book with wax Crayola's not those shitty powdered ones they make these days. when finger painting meant making a dame mess, when we had arts like Music Practice, arts class, and PE and could have them all one after the next.

there is nothing fun about school anymore, no hands on interaction, no risk, no liability. why parents even send there kids to school anymore is baffling...school is like a daycare anymore just make sure the kids are pampered and happy before they go home. did you pass all your English tests after first grade, if you're glad there is no e at the end, I'm has an apostrophe, damn is spelled with an n at the end ,and if they are taking their kids,it's spelled with e i not there.I'm so glad you are worried about them. You know there are errors in my writing, as well as i do. I could spend three minutes to correct my spelling and grammatical errors. Why should i do that? I am not here to please you, or even the next person. It's Astonishing the amount of children that make it through elementary school without the knowledge of Grammar and spelling. When your Child's daily life consists of reading OMG i Luv u Betty Lou. What do think the outcome is?

Can i spell? Can i use grammar properly? Absolutely. Some people do not have that luxury. They were never taught, only told what to do.

Next lesson is capitalization. When used alone the letter 'I' should be capital. It's astonishing that you capitalized astonishing. It's OK to capitalize Grammar, but only if you capitalize Spelling as well. Child's also should be child.

I'm betting these kindergartners will have much grammar than your (lack of an) education afforded you.

11.4.2011 10:23 #11

tigastripes

"Finger painting their name". Can't they do that with finger paint?

11.4.2011 10:33 #12

nostradomis

Bill Gates should pick the tab, he would not miss the $$$$$$$$. He can write it off as donation, while at it do America.

11.4.2011 10:49 #13

zweave (unverified)

Originally posted by CanSpell: Originally posted by DXR88: Originally posted by jennavegas: Originally posted by DXR88: so it begins, the age of humans that can no longer write with hand and utility's is upon us.

all prophecy aside im glade i was born when i was when learning your alphabets meant coloring them in a book with wax Crayola's not those shitty powdered ones they make these days. when finger painting meant making a dame mess, when we had arts like Music Practice, arts class, and PE and could have them all one after the next.

there is nothing fun about school anymore, no hands on interaction, no risk, no liability. why parents even send there kids to school anymore is baffling...school is like a daycare anymore just make sure the kids are pampered and happy before they go home. did you pass all your English tests after first grade, if you're glad there is no e at the end, I'm has an apostrophe, damn is spelled with an n at the end ,and if they are taking their kids,it's spelled with e i not there.I'm so glad you are worried about them. You know there are errors in my writing, as well as i do. I could spend three minutes to correct my spelling and grammatical errors. Why should i do that? I am not here to please you, or even the next person. It's Astonishing the amount of children that make it through elementary school without the knowledge of Grammar and spelling. When your Child's daily life consists of reading OMG i Luv u Betty Lou. What do think the outcome is?

Can i spell? Can i use grammar properly? Absolutely. Some people do not have that luxury. They were never taught, only told what to do.

Next lesson is capitalization. When used alone the letter 'I' should be capital. It's astonishing that you capitalized astonishing. It's OK to capitalize Grammar, but only if you capitalize Spelling as well. Child's also should be child.

I'm betting these kindergartners will have much grammar than your (lack of an) education afforded you.
Who really cares if he uses proper grammar, or spelling. He got his point across, and you read his comment perfectly fine. This is not official, nor does it really matter, so there is no real point in using anynything proper at all. The fact that you don't comment on the story, but rather comment and attack someone else's intelligence and educational background, not only makes me believe that you are slighting idiodic yourself, but have low self esteem and think you have to be better than others to make yourself feel better. In school I bet you were one of the generic cookie cutter preps who think they are better than everyone else just because you can dance to a routine, or throw and catch a ball, or run fast.

As for the story itself, I do not support this because they are small children, they will most likely ruin or somehow break the tablets. Whoever came up with this ingenious program needs to realize this and think logically for once.

11.4.2011 11:14 #14

SomeBozo

Originally posted by DXR88: Originally posted by jennavegas: Originally posted by DXR88: so it begins, the age of humans that can no longer write with hand and utility's is upon us.

all prophecy aside im glade i was born when i was when learning your alphabets meant coloring them in a book with wax Crayola's not those shitty powdered ones they make these days. when finger painting meant making a dame mess, when we had arts like Music Practice, arts class, and PE and could have them all one after the next.

there is nothing fun about school anymore, no hands on interaction, no risk, no liability. why parents even send there kids to school anymore is baffling...school is like a daycare anymore just make sure the kids are pampered and happy before they go home. did you pass all your English tests after first grade, if you're glad there is no e at the end, I'm has an apostrophe, damn is spelled with an n at the end ,and if they are taking their kids,it's spelled with e i not there.I'm so glad you are worried about them. You know there are errors in my writing, as well as i do. I could spend three minutes to correct my spelling and grammatical errors. Why should i do that? I am not here to please you, or even the next person. It's Astonishing the amount of children that make it through elementary school without the knowledge of Grammar and spelling. When your Child's daily life consists of reading OMG i Luv u Betty Lou. What do think the outcome is?

Can i spell? Can i use grammar properly? Absolutely. Some people do not have that luxury. They were never taught, only told what to do.

G8t point, what matters is the points explained knot the spilling ore gramr erors. Eye'm write with ewe DXR88, two often sum anal knit picky persun haz got to prove sum point about spilling errors or gramr errors, when the reel issue is the ideas expressed. Peepole knead to stop beeing to anal about spilling and gramr erors if the ideas expressed r whatz important. Hell what matters Moore expressing the idea or won successfully runs a spill checker. Yes my cup runith over from all my spilling erors, butt never a dry moment :)

Formal debate a tactic when someone kan't argue there point any longer is to attack the messenger, so no longer will won debate the idea, but attack the message or messenger (or gramer and spilling errors) which are tangential or completely unrelated to the issues at hand, that's when you know the anal knit picky person has disengaged from rational objective dialog.

11.4.2011 11:39 #15

3MUK

wowww lol ipads for kindyz , wat a waste of money , governments dont know how to spend really .

"You can lead a fool to wisdom but you cant make him think"

"Bizinga"

11.4.2011 14:17 #16

wiseguy0

Originally posted by SomeBozo: Originally posted by DXR88: Originally posted by jennavegas: Originally posted by DXR88: so it begins, the age of humans that can no longer write with hand and utility's is upon us.

all prophecy aside im glade i was born when i was when learning your alphabets meant coloring them in a book with wax Crayola's not those shitty powdered ones they make these days. when finger painting meant making a dame mess, when we had arts like Music Practice, arts class, and PE and could have them all one after the next.

there is nothing fun about school anymore, no hands on interaction, no risk, no liability. why parents even send there kids to school anymore is baffling...school is like a daycare anymore just make sure the kids are pampered and happy before they go home. did you pass all your English tests after first grade, if you're glad there is no e at the end, I'm has an apostrophe, damn is spelled with an n at the end ,and if they are taking their kids,it's spelled with e i not there.I'm so glad you are worried about them. You know there are errors in my writing, as well as i do. I could spend three minutes to correct my spelling and grammatical errors. Why should i do that? I am not here to please you, or even the next person. It's Astonishing the amount of children that make it through elementary school without the knowledge of Grammar and spelling. When your Child's daily life consists of reading OMG i Luv u Betty Lou. What do think the outcome is?

Can i spell? Can i use grammar properly? Absolutely. Some people do not have that luxury. They were never taught, only told what to do.

G8t point, what matters is the points explained knot the spilling ore gramr erors. Eye'm write with ewe DXR88, two often sum anal knit picky persun haz got to prove sum point about spilling errors or gramr errors, when the reel issue is the ideas expressed. Peepole knead to stop beeing to anal about spilling and gramr erors if the ideas expressed r whatz important. Hell what matters Moore expressing the idea or won successfully runs a spill checker. Yes my cup runith over from all my spilling erors, butt never a dry moment :)

Formal debate a tactic when someone kan't argue there point any longer is to attack the messenger, so no longer will won debate the idea, but attack the message or messenger (or gramer and spilling errors) which are tangential or completely unrelated to the issues at hand, that's when you know the anal knit picky person has disengaged from rational objective dialog.
Sorry, right or wrong, in the real world you are judged by these things. It's like going to a job interview in a t-shirt and torn jeans. If you don't care enough to look professional, you probably won't get the job. If you don't care enough to use proper spelling and correct sentence structure you will lose credability and your point will be lost. Just look at how this thread turned into a debate about grammar instead of the ipad if you need proof of this concept.

11.4.2011 21:53 #17

SomeBozo

Originally posted by wiseguy0: Originally posted by SomeBozo: Originally posted by DXR88: Originally posted by jennavegas: Originally posted by DXR88: so it begins, the age of humans that can no longer write with hand and utility's is upon us.

all prophecy aside im glade i was born when i was when learning your alphabets meant coloring them in a book with wax Crayola's not those shitty powdered ones they make these days. when finger painting meant making a dame mess, when we had arts like Music Practice, arts class, and PE and could have them all one after the next.

there is nothing fun about school anymore, no hands on interaction, no risk, no liability. why parents even send there kids to school anymore is baffling...school is like a daycare anymore just make sure the kids are pampered and happy before they go home. did you pass all your English tests after first grade, if you're glad there is no e at the end, I'm has an apostrophe, damn is spelled with an n at the end ,and if they are taking their kids,it's spelled with e i not there.I'm so glad you are worried about them. You know there are errors in my writing, as well as i do. I could spend three minutes to correct my spelling and grammatical errors. Why should i do that? I am not here to please you, or even the next person. It's Astonishing the amount of children that make it through elementary school without the knowledge of Grammar and spelling. When your Child's daily life consists of reading OMG i Luv u Betty Lou. What do think the outcome is?

Can i spell? Can i use grammar properly? Absolutely. Some people do not have that luxury. They were never taught, only told what to do.

G8t point, what matters is the points explained knot the spilling ore gramr erors. Eye'm write with ewe DXR88, two often sum anal knit picky persun haz got to prove sum point about spilling errors or gramr errors, when the reel issue is the ideas expressed. Peepole knead to stop beeing to anal about spilling and gramr erors if the ideas expressed r whatz important. Hell what matters Moore expressing the idea or won successfully runs a spill checker. Yes my cup runith over from all my spilling erors, butt never a dry moment :)

Formal debate a tactic when someone kan't argue there point any longer is to attack the messenger, so no longer will won debate the idea, but attack the message or messenger (or gramer and spilling errors) which are tangential or completely unrelated to the issues at hand, that's when you know the anal knit picky person has disengaged from rational objective dialog.
Sorry, right or wrong, in the real world you are judged by these things. It's like going to a job interview in a t-shirt and torn jeans. If you don't care enough to look professional, you probably won't get the job. If you don't care enough to use proper spelling and correct sentence structure you will lose credability and your point will be lost. Just look at how this thread turned into a debate about grammar instead of the ipad if you need proof of this concept.

I agree with the point but would add the context and medium in what you are communicating in is what sets the context. Interviews, school, legal briefs, no argument here. The web be it e-mail and the exchange of ideas, provided my grammar and spelling are good enough to get the idea across... That is really what matters. Consider many might be using an WindoZe fone, iFone, or some other awkward input device... One reason eye prefer beeing a programmer, provided my variales r all spilled consistently that is what matters not the names of the variables because if i epressed my idea/program in a logical way that the compiler will in turn produce a program, at the end of the day that is all that matters.

12.4.2011 01:36 #18

KillerBug

It is a forum...if you judge people by how they spell, you are missing the whole point. It is an exchange of ideas and knowledge, not a spelling bee. If you disagree with their argument, post a counter argument...don't just say, "you forgot an 'o' in that word."

12.4.2011 02:30 #19

Gradical

It's not judging someone by its grammar, it's pointing out he thinks he had a better education when he clearly does not demonstrate it.

My english is horrible, but at least you don't see me ranting about why in hell the teach it differently since I'm cappable of accepting my own deficiencies.

12.4.2011 14:16 #20

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