Although Orewa is the first high school to want students to have their own electronic device, the school thinks that within five years most schools will be copying them. Orewa is a decile 9 school. The highest decile is 10 and that means many people living in that area are quite wealthy. The lowest decile is 1. People in that area have low pay.

　　Some private schools expect their students to have a laptop computer but Orewa is not a private school. It is a state school. Orewa says the problem with laptops is that their battery life is short whereas the battery of an iPad will last all day. Laptops also create a barrier between the student and the teacher – it is hard for the teacher to see what the students are doing. The iPad has many applications which students could use.

　　In today’s world, technology is important and students need to access information from the internet and record their work on their own device. This will also make it easier for students to share their learning with other students. The school says they are preparing students for work in a changing world.

　　Vocabulary

　　device – a piece of equipment used for a special purpose

　　mobile – can move, portable

　　decile – means each group of 10%. Decile 10 is the top 10% and decile 10 is the bottom 10%. Low decile schools get more funding from the government.

　　barrier – like a fence

　　applications – apps. Different programs

　　access – get

　　Questions

　　1. If all schools will expect their students to have an iPad or something similar in the future, what will happen to students whose parents do not have enough money to buy one?

　　2. Is the iPad the best choice?

　　3. Why is the iPad so expensive

　　4. Do you think students in the future will be able to write by hand?

　　5. Do you think many students know more about these devices than their teachers do?

　　6. What are some of the advantage and disadvantages of expecting all students to have their own personal electronic device?