In recent years, iPads have become widely used at all levels of education. Many schools have programs that provide these devices to students, including colleges and universities. We previously reported that Bowdoin College is providing students with a MacBook Pro in addition to an iPad.
Designed to ensure every student has the tools they need to succeed academically, these programs aim to reduce the digital divide among students.
However, these programs do not continue forever. Ohio State University announced this week that it will no longer be giving away iPads to new students this fall. The Columbus school used to give every freshman an iPad, which they could keep until graduation. Students who currently own an iPad through this program may keep it.
Instead, the OSU Digital Flagship program will be upgraded and provide iPad rental services to students as needed. It also launches a refurbishment program to “prolong the life of [its] existing devices to support more students.”
In addition, as part of the program update, the university will provide all undergraduate, graduate and professional students with access to Adobe Creative Cloud. Provost Melissa Gilliam wrote in a university-wide email how the new approach will transform digital justice on campus. “This new approach will [OSU] focus on access to technology and skills development… in a more sustainable way.”
Although institutions with these programs appear to have higher tuition fees, more may need to redesign their programs. It seems that not as many OSU students needed the program as the school originally thought.
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Will we see more schools reevaluate their own device distribution programs in the future?
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