Bend-La Pine Schools adopt new iPad policies

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) --The Bend-La Pine School District is changing how their students use technology with one simple adjustment.

As part of getting ready for the next school year, the tech department is preparing 139 iPad charging carts. In previous years, older students were permitted to bring their iPads home

Under the new policy, iPads will remain on school grounds and will only be used when instructed by teachers.

District leaders said the shift aims to help students approach classroom technology with greater focus. Stephen DuVal, Executive Director of Middle Schools for Bend-La Pine Schools, spoke on the change.

“But in terms of, really being specific with how it's used, this will increase that specificity,” DuVal said. “And they'll be a lot more. I think, directed learning where when the iPad is taken out, it is much more it's, it's done with much more thoughtful intent.”

Nearly every student in the district is assigned an individual iPad. The devices are equipped with content filters to prevent access to certain content. The district retains the technical capability to track or lock down devices if they are lost or stolen. District officials also noted that iPads are harder to damage than traditional laptops because they have less moving parts, and no physical keyboard. Even though the screens are the most damaged component, they say they can replaced through Apple Care quickly