Lisbon secondary students receive laptops

Students walked out of Lisbon Community School this evening with an Apple MacBook in their arms and a leg up in education.

Laptops were distributed to the district's secondary students - sixth through 12th grade - through the district's new Apple 1:1 computer initiative. The program puts technology in students' hands, leveling the playing field between the haves and have-nots, while embracing more relevant, hands-on learning.

“We are at a time, a crossroads in time, where we have a generation of kids who are not being educated the way they learn,” Superintendent Brad Laures said.

Today's student doesn't simply embrace technology, they live it. It is part of everything they do.

“It's beyond equipment, it's a change in educational philosophy,” said Ian Dye, the district's secondary principal. “It's a change of ownership. This puts students in charge of their education.”

Lisbon is the second Eastern Iowa school district to distribute laptops to students. The Central City school district launched its Apple 1:1 initiative in August 2008.

“I think it's great,” said Jeanynne Stambaugh, mother of two Lisbon students who received computers tonight. “It's the way the world is moving these days. They have to have the technology.”

The Lisbon school board approved a four-year lease agreement with Apple in March. The lease won't exceed $145,000 a year or $580,000 total.

The district will use statewide sales tax revenues to fund the initiative.

A total 350 MacBooks were purchased. About 300 will go to students, and the rest will be used by teachers.

All secondary students will be allowed to take the computers home, except sixth graders. The sixth grade year is considered a transition period. Students will be assigned a computer of their own for use at school, but won't take them home until seventh grade.

“It's going to be a lot easier to take notes and pay attention in class,” said James Cannon, a seventh grader.

Cannon of one of about 12 students who received a computer early to test it for potential problems. A self-proclaimed PC, Cannon said students will find the MacBooks easy to navigate.

“To me, it's just like having a textbook,” Technology Director Julie Hill said. “This is the way our society is going, the way our students learn.”