How does technology in students’ hands transform teaching and learning? Board members were captivated by a riveting presentation by Jeff Bernadt, Jeanette Carlson, and Ann Feldmann. As the three discussed the iPad Academy model, the board viewed images and videos of our own Bellevue Public Schools students in action.

Several years ago, the district technology committee recommended lowering the student to device ratio and decided the iPad was the device of choice. The iPad Academy was born out of a belief that in order to effectively integrate technology, there needs to be an emphasis on professional development and establishing a student centered classroom culture. Our nationally recognized iPad Academy Model is influencing other districts in Nebraska and across the nation.

Board members heard how instruction, classroom environment, and assessment is transformed in an iPad Academy classroom. Transformation occurring in these 50 classrooms is not just a transformation because of the device, rather it’s a combination of a powerful professional development program consisting of training, classroom coaching, solid pedagogy and content knowledge by the teacher, and student access to an iPad all day, every day.

Currently, we have 50 teachers and 1500 students using iPads daily for teaching and learning. We hope we can provide this opportunity to all students in Bellevue Public Schools.

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