A New Era of Education

The beginning of the school year brought new changes to the Waukee District. Despite the new ipads being introduced prior to this school year, speculations are still circling. Many of us were surprised by the announcement, but the administration believes that the iPads are less likely to get hacked. With Des Moines Public Schools getting hacked last year in January 2023, iPads seem to be a promising tool to use for students, but how are they really feeling about this?

Initially, the students weren’t happy about the new technology. “It was hard to get used to the ipad after having a laptop for so long,” said senior Chuchu Ladu. “But I’m starting to slowly be ok with it.” However, not all students feel this way. A sophomore Jett Lunde expressed that “what makes having an iPad better is the keyboard, and also having a touchscreen. They are also lighter to carry around.”

Nevertheless, the transition to iPads is not without its challenges. Some educators express concerns about the limited functionality compared to laptops. A Junior Nathan Tshiamala quotes “I do miss the laptops because of the ability to copy and paste and using Google Docs and slides was easier.” For instance, while iPads excel in accessing apps and multimedia content, they may lack the full software capabilities that certain subjects require, like advanced math or programming. Additionally, students accustomed to traditional keyboards might find typing on an iPad less convenient, potentially impacting their writing efficiency and productivity.

Overall, the transition to iPads has had its ups and downs. While many students appreciate the portability and modern features, some still long for the functionality of laptops. As we continue to navigate this change, it will be interesting to see how the school addresses the concerns of students and how we can all make the most of our new devices. Whether we love them or not, the iPads are here to stay!