By Haoyun (Evan) Zhou Contributor

Ms. Michelle Reis works on her iPad.

Coming back from Christmas break, students were surprised to find a new technology emerging around them with all the faculty members carrying around these black flat objects – the iPad.

The idea to implement the new touchpad technology was suggested by Mr. Gonzo Garcia, the Director of Technology, and supported by Head of School Andrew Vadnais and Associate Head of School Richard Chavka. The Board of the Trustees decided to provide all the faculty members with an iPad to assist with their teaching.

The current teaching faculty received the iPad around December, and they now may be able to find some digital substitutions such as books and applications to enhance the curriculum.

“I like it (the Ipad) because it keeps everything organized. It helps reduce the amount of folders and papers and things I carry around.” said Ms. Michelle Reis, the Fourth Form English teacher.

When talking about his iPad, Mr. Anthony Larson, who assists with the operation of the Advanced Media Group, has showed a great passion and skill in utilizing this new technology.

“I can access my desktop of my home computer, download the Apple applications, such as vocabulary games about English and Spanish, helping students understand and memorize all the words in different languages, check my e-mails spontaneously and hopefully are able to interact with students through iPad in the future,” said Mr. Larson.

Mr. Garcia said the faculty were given iPads to enhance their teaching. Students must be prepared for today’s world and the faculty need to be assisting them get ready in many ways.

“The overall view is to get you guys prepared for what the world is like right now. Anywhere you go is fast paced. Handwriting, reading and all these things are really needed in the education, but if we don’t teach you how to use today’s tools effectively, in terms of you guys – digital natives and digital citizens- that will be big loss,” Mr. Garcia said. “So it is our responsibilities to educate you guys, to teach you guys how to use these technologies responsibly.” It is the start of South Kent’s digital era.