The plan to require all full-time ACU undergrad students to have an iPad by August 2013
nears a conclusion.
Dr. Robert Rhodes, provost of the university, hopes a final decision will be made within a week..
“We want to come to a conclusion so we can get the word out to incoming freshmen,” Rhodes said.
Rhodes has met three times with faculty to discuss aspects of the iPad mandate.
“Because I came into this conversation late as the new provost, I asked for permission from the rest of the group to take a couple of weeks to go back and talk to faculty about their perspective,” said Dr. Robert Rhodes, provost of the university. “I wanted their perspective as instructors and also from the students and what they really think is a viable plan.”
Rhodes will meet again on Thursday with individuals who would handle the support and training related to iPad distribution.
“We want to show them the plan and see how realistic is it for distribution, support and training that would be needed,” Rhodes said. “Then we’ll submit a proposal to the group.”
Rhodes said even though the plan hasn’t been approved, he expects the final plan to be similar to the one they have now.
“People are positive about the distribution of iPads,” Rhodes said. “Most plans that we’ve discussed talk about an extensive use for freshman and sophomores and then specific use for junior and senior and then we continue to roll that out as we build more courses.”
Rhodes said the university wants to be completely prepared for the iPads so they will be fully utilized by students, not underutilized.
“We didn’t want it to be so simple as to replace iPhones and just give students iPads,” Rhodes said. “Because the market has changed so much with new apps, capabilities and electronic text books, part of the delay in the decision is so we can step back and see what we’ve learned, what’s available and what the best plan will be.”
Professors are already integrating iPad capabilities into their class curriculum. Peter Zeller, freshman business major from Abilene, is one of the incoming freshman that opted for the iPad. Zeller said he often uses his iPad in his economics, business and cornerstone classes.
“I enjoy using my iPad in class because it is more efficient than carrying around multiple spirals for notes and everything is in a central location,” Zeller said. “There aren’t very many times I can’t use my iPad.”
