Wirt Middle Principal Talks iPads in School

William Wirt Middle School's principal, Prentice Christian, is excited about the new technology coming to his student and the community in the upcoming school year.

Wirt Middle was picked out of a handful of Title 1 Schools to pilot a program in which students will purchased by a Title 1 grant in partnership with Apple, Inc. Three other middle schools are also set to pilot the program.

Christian said the iPad will be a great tool for students to learn in real time in the classroom. Currently teachers are in the process of being trained on using the device in classrooms, and he said the school will be training students when they return next year.

The iPads will be given to each student, a one-to-one ratio. Currently, 761 students attend Wirt Middle.

"It belongs to them so they are responsible for it," Christian added. The school is currently working out a plan for the iPads usage - including implementing a firewall to protect students from hackers and from browsing inappropriate websites. It also is working out a policy so that students can take the device home with them.

The school, built in 1963, is also being updated with infrastructure to help students use the device like a wireless network.

Christian said he's happy to see his students get the same educational opportunities other students may already have at home.

"Ninety-three percent of our students are on free and reduced meals," he said. "Many of our parents don't have access to the technology that other families have."

He said the school will also purchase iPad apps to help student performance.

"It doesn't take the place of a teacher," Christian said, "but it does allow students to get a high quality education."

"Technology has made the world a smaller place," he added, noting he hopes to create classroom partnerships with other schools around the country and the world.