University Pledges iPad for Every Student

Apr

2010

Dan Hope, iPadNewsDaily Staff Writer
06:16 PM ET

The iPad isn't even out yet and already one university is so confident the tablet will be useful that it has pledged to give a new iPad to every full-time student.

Seton Hill University, a small school of 2,100 students in Pennsylvania, today announced the Griffin Technology Advantage Program, in which every student will receive an Apple iPad and a 13-inch MacBook.

"This new program provides students with the best in technology and collaborative learning tools, ensuring that Seton Hill students will be uniquely suited to whatever careers they choose--even those that have not yet been created," reads the school's iPad Web page.

Seton Hill administrators clearly feel that an iPad is important for preparing students and teaching them "technological skills [they will] need in the 21st century workforce."

While the iPad certainly is a cutting edge device, and early signs indicate tablet computing will be more prominent than ever in the coming years, offering a free iPad may have more of a promotional purpose than an educational one. The university hasn't detailed how it plans to use the device for teaching or even student interaction.

Seton Hill is committed to the move, though. The University promises to replace students' MacBooks every two years in order to keep them current and the students are allowed to keep the devices when they graduate.