Beginning this fall, two Oxford School District elementary campuses will issue iPads to students, replacing the MacBooks currently in use.

OSD announced this week they will be giving students in grades three through 12 new seventh-generation iPads equipped with district-approved apps and digital tools that support classroom instruction. Currently, grades three through six share iPad carts between classrooms.

Providing the iPads will cost approximately the same as it costs to currently provide the MacBooks to only Oxford Middle and Oxford High Schools. The change will also create a reduction to the student tech fees and a damaged device can be instantly replaced where a damaged MacBook required longer time to repair.

In 2015, OSD began its one-to-one initiative by issuing MacBook laptops to all seventh through 12th graders.

“We were novice users in the integration of technology in classroom instruction when we began,” said assistant Oxford school superintendent Bradley Roberson. “Now, we have had five years to learn. If we could go back, we would put less emphasis on the device and more emphasis on how technology integration impacts classroom instruction and student learning.”

Roberson said the school district’s goals are to build and strengthen students’ abilities in critical thinking, collaboration, communication and creation through deep learning of content and effective use of technology.

All seventh through 12th graders will be allowed to take their iPads home, while third through sixth graders will leave their iPads at school. District staff began training on iPad classroom integration this month, and students will pick up their iPad prior to the start of the 2020-21 school year in August.