iMore - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch blog: Wisconsin settlement funds from Microsoft being used to buy iPads for education

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Wisconsin settlement funds from Microsoft being used to buy iPads for education Jan 30th 2012, 16:30 Wisconsin plans to use settlement funds from Microsoft to buy 1,400 iPads for educational use. The settlement funds from Microsoft are related to a suit in which consumers claimed Microsoft was overcharging its consumers for software. The iPads are being paid for with $3.4 million in funds from the almost $80 million total that Microsoft agreed to pay to the state. With Apple's educational discounts the schools should be able to purchase each iPad for around $479 each. They plan on initially purchasing 600 this Spring with plans to purchase an additional 800 in the Fall. It was decided that $2.1 million from the settlement funds would be divided up between the schools. While some chose to spend the money on iPads, others decided to purchase other media including smartboards, laptops, and other technology equipment. The $2.1 million averaged out to around $85.09 per child. State superintendent Tony Evers is scheduled to release a statewide digital learning plan next week. The district's director of technical services, Bill Smojver, thinks the iPads are going to be a significant transition for education. "This is the most significant transition point for having digital learning at the optimal level," Apple's recent education announcement was met with enthusiasm by Smojver, who thinks it's a significant development. He still believes the schools will proceed cautiously when it comes to replacing traditional media with electronic versions. There are currently around 50 school districts in Wisconsin currently implementing iPads according to Minnestota-based technology consultant, Naomi Harm. While some schools are going to experiment with students actually having access to the iPads, some are going to allow teachers access to implement them in planning and record-keeping. iBooks Author has given authors an easy way to put together digital textbooks. iBooks 2 gives those authors a huge marketplace for distribution. Leanna has already stated that she believes this is only the beginning for iPads in education. Source: AppleInsider via Wisconsin State Journal More of: News More on: digital books, education, ibooks, ipads, microsoft settlement, schools, textbooks, Wisconsin

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