MBJH geometry class pilots iPad program

Sara Anne Nelson’s Advanced Geometry class was recently selected as the only Mountain Brook Junior High class to receive Apple iPads for educational purposes. The devices were provided through the Mountain Brook Schools Metamorphosis Project, also known as the 1:1 Digital Device Pilot (DDP).

The pilot hopes to answer questions the system has about the need for district issued personal devices, as well as whether the use of such devices improves learning in the classroom. iPads were distributed following a meeting at the school where parents heard from both school principals and technology directors.

“Kids are integral to the direction of this pilot program. My goal is to gauge whether iPads improve learning in the classroom through several applications that will be loaded on the devices,” Nelson said.

Nelson also said iPads will allow students to easily manipulate figures and drawings and be more “visual.” With quick access to the Internet and coursespecific applications, students can engage in interactive learning and explore and discover interesting topics.

“We are very excited about the possibilities this pilot provides and look forward to seeing the great things that will happen in this geometry class,” MBJH Principal Amanda Hood said.

Additionally, sixth grades classes at Crestline School will pilot iPads on a rotational basis, and two Mountain Brook High School teachers, Katie Ray and Holly Martin, are teaching a collaborative class that incorporates both English and history curriculums for the pilot. Students will be allowed to take the iPads home and use them daily.

Though tailor-made for our community, administrators said they intend for this pilot program to be scalable as to serve as a model for others.