As we look ahead to the 2014-15 school year, we are anticipating more and more use of electronic devices for our students across our campuses. Google Classroom (due to release in September 2014) will make the use of Google Drive more manageable for teachers and students and thus increase its usage. Additional implementation of app-based and web-based materials will also facilitate increased classroom usage. This increased usage is in line with our Technology Vision set forth in 2012:

• We will prepare our students to be effective contributors in the digital age.
  

With this increased usage, we have phased out smart phones and iPods as acceptable educational devices in 2014-15. Concerns with the small devices are increased eye strain for students, difficulty in typing on small screens and daily usage requirements.

Therefore, we recommend devices that meet the following criteria:

• minimum 7” screen size
• recommend 9”-10” screen size
• Tablets, Chromebooks, Laptops, Netbooks

All students in Preschool-Grade 12 must provide their own earbuds.

• Earbuds are required. The buds are not to be 'headphones' that cover the ears.
• Please make sure that your child tries the buds for size and clarity.

We also recommend these accessories:

• protective cover/case for tablets
• 2 chargers: one for school and one for home
• large zippered binder to transport covered tablet/chromebook/netbook/laptop

Aquin will continue to provide devices for students in Preschool-Grade 3. Students in Grades 4-12 will need to bring a device with them daily. If your student currently uses a device that meets the criteria above, he or she is set for the 2014-15 school year. If not, we have compiled the following list of devices that meet the criteria to guide you in your summer shopping. Following are devices that students are currently using with success in the classroom. Other tablets are available at lower prices, but may not be as 'user-friendly' or 'reliable' as desired.

Kindle Fire HD . Regular--$199 . On Sale for $139

• 7" HD Display
  
• Comes with 8GB or 16GB of memory
• 1280 x 800 (216 ppi)
  
• Dual-Core 1.5 GHz
  
• Email and Web Browsing
• Seamless access to YouTube, Google Apps and Gmail
• Android Operating System
• Built-in Bluetooth Support
• Free Cloud Storage
• Parental Controls
• Books, Magazines, Newspapers, Apps, Movies, TV Shows, Catalogs, Google Play Store
• No Camera

Kindle Fire HDX . Starting at $229

• 7" HD Display
  
• Comes with 16GB, 32GB or 64 GB of memory
• 1920 x 1200 (323 ppi)
  
• Quad-Core 2.2 GHz
  
• Email and Web Browsing
• Seamless access to YouTube, Google Apps and Gmail
• Android Operating System
• Built-in Bluetooth Support
• Free Cloud Storage
• Parental Controls
• Books, Magazines, Newspapers, Apps, Movies, TV Shows, Catalogs, Google Play Store
• Front-Facing Camera
• On-device "Mayday" button for Customer Support

Kindle Fire HD 8.9" . Starting at $299

• 8.9" HD Display
  
• Comes with 16GB or 32GB of memory
• 1920 x 1200 (254 ppi)
  
• Dual-Core 1.5 GHz
  
• Email and Web Browsing
• Seamless access to YouTube, Google Apps and Gmail
• Android Operating System
• Built-in Bluetooth Support
• Free Cloud Storage
• Parental Controls
• Books, Magazines, Newspapers, Apps, Movies, TV Shows, Catalogs, Google Play Store
• Front-Facing Camera

Kindle Fire HDX 8.9" . Starting at $379

• 8.9" HD Display
  
• Comes with 16GB, 32GB or 64 GB of memory
• 2560 x 1600 (339 ppi)
  
• Quad-Core 2.2 GHz
  
• Email and Web Browsing
• Seamless access to YouTube, Google Apps and Gmail
• Android Operating System
• Built-in Bluetooth Support
• Free Cloud Storage
• Parental Controls
• Books, Magazines, Newspapers, Apps, Movies, TV Shows, Catalogs, Google Play Store
• Front-Facing and Rear-Facing Camera
• On-device "Mayday" button for Customer Support

iPad Mini . $299

• 7.9-inch (diagonal)
  
• 1024-by-768 resolution at 163 pixels per inch (ppi)

• Dual-core A5 chip

• FaceTime HD camera (takes photos or videos)
  

• Bluetooth 4.0 technology

iPad Mini with Retina Display . $399

• 7.9-inch (diagonal)
  
• 2048-by-1536 resolution at 326 pixels per inch (ppi)

• A7 chip with 64-bit architecture and M7 motion coprocessor

• FaceTime HD camera (takes photos or videos)
  

• Bluetooth 4.0 technology

iPad with Retina Display . $399

• 9.7-inch (diagonal)
  
• 2048-by-1536 resolution at 264 pixels per inch (ppi)

• Dual-core A6X chip with quad-core graphics

• FaceTime HD camera (takes photos or videos)
  

• Bluetooth 4.0 technology

iPad Air . $499

• 9.7-inch (diagonal)
  
• 2048-by-1536 resolution at 264 pixels per inch (ppi)

• A7 chip with 64-bit architecture and M7 motion coprocessor

• FaceTime HD camera (takes photos or videos)
  

• Bluetooth 4.0 technology

Boots in seconds. Nothing complicated to learn. Comes with your favorite Google apps. Built for everyday use and perfect for sharing with others.

• Keep getting stuff done when you’re disconnected from the web by using offline apps like Gmail and Google Docs
  
• No camera
• Chromebook updates itself, for free and automatically so it doesn’t slow down over time.
  
• available with 11.6", 13.3" or 14" display screens
• many manufacturers, pick the size and price that works for you