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Podcasts Take Two
LA schools and iPads: Big promises but where's the research?
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Oct 9, 2013
Listen • 3:46
LA schools and iPads: Big promises but where's the research?
As the L.A. Unified school district begins what could be the largest 1:1 iPad project in the nation, some researchers, parents and educators say it's moving too fast.
Students use iPads for instruction at Comienza Community Prep in Huntington Park.
Students use iPads for instruction at Komienza Community Prep in Huntington Park.
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Grant Slater/KPCC
)
KIPP Comienza Community Prep elementary school in Huntington Park used donations two years ago to buy enough portable devices for about a third of its more than 300 students.
KIPP Comienza Community Prep elementary school in Huntington Park used donations two years ago to buy enough portable devices for about a third of its more than 300 students.
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Grant Slater/KPCC
)
Students use iPads and Chromebooks for instruction at Komienza Community Prep in Huntington Park.
Students use iPads and Chromebooks for instruction at Komienza Community Prep in Huntington Park.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)
Second graderer Emiliano C. plays an educational game on an iPad at Komienza Community Prep in Huntington Park.
Second graderer Emiliano C. plays an educational game on an iPad at Komienza Community Prep in Huntington Park.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)
Students use iPads for instruction at Comienza Community Prep in Huntington Park.
Students use iPads for instruction at Komienza Community Prep in Huntington Park.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)
Second graders Mark G. and Brandon C. play educational games on iPads at a charter school in Huntington Park.
Second graders Mark G. and Brandon C. play educational games on iPads at a charter school in Huntington Park.
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Grant Slater/KPCC
)
Komienza Community Prep in Huntington Park rotates Chromebooks and iPads between groups of students so everyone gets a turn.
Komienza Community Prep in Huntington Park rotates Chromebooks and iPads between groups of students so everyone gets a turn.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)
Second graders Lalia G., Ericka B. and Elisha G. use iPads for instruction at Komienza Community Prep in Huntington Park.
Second graders Lalia G., Ericka B. and Elisha G. use iPads for instruction at Komienza Community Prep in Huntington Park.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)
Second grader Aiden C listens to his teacher at the end of iPad instruction time at Komienza Community Prep in Huntington Park.
Second grader Aiden C listens to his teacher at the end of iPad instruction time at Komienza Community Prep in Huntington Park.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)
Second grader Ramiro V. plays a math game on an iPads at Comienza Community Prep in Huntington Park.
Second grader Ramiro V. plays a math game on an iPads at Komienza Community Prep in Huntington Park.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)

As the L.A. Unified school district begins what could be the largest 1:1 iPad project in the nation, some researchers, parents and educators say it's moving too fast.

LA Unified's nascent iPad project has hit several roadblocks.

There was an outcry when the district learned it would have to spend an extra $38-million on keyboards.  Then, students quickly bypassed Internet security measures.  Administrators decided to pull iPads from several classrooms, and some devices are missing.  

Then, there's the bigger debate on whether they will fulfill their main job: actually helping students learn. KPCC's Annie Gilbertson has more on the research.