One to One Program

List of 16 frequently asked questions.

• Q. What type of iPad does my child need?

  We strongly recommend purchasing a wifi-only, standard 10th generation Apple iPad with minimum 64GB of storage. Avoid purchasing 32GB models, as those do not have enough storage to accommodate apps, digital textbooks, videos, and other materials not stored in the cloud. If you feel your student will not be diligent about deleting or moving old files to the cloud, the 256GB option may be a better choice. Likewise, the iPad Mini does not provide the screen size needed for academic purposes. Because your student has four years of iPad use ahead, we strongly encourage you to invest in a model with enough memory and storage to accommodate current and future learning needs.
  
  Students are required to provide a case for their iPad, and we strongly urge you to buy one that protects the front, back, and side edges of the iPad. While there are no requirements to purchase accessories for the iPad, students who have invested in a keyboard and/or stylus find these extremely useful in many classes. The Apple Pencil (1st generation) is compatible with the 10th generation iPad and costs about $99. Inexpensive styli can also be purchased at electronics and office-supply stores, as can keyboards.
  
  If your students already owns an iPad, he or she may continue to use it provided it is the Air Fourth Generation (2020) or higher and that it is capable of running curricular-specific apps for iPad OS16 and higher. Each student must have a dedicated iPad for his or her ongoing, daily use.

• Q. How can I take advantage of Apple's iPad discount?

  Apple offers a small education discount for families who purchase a family-owned iPad. Discounts typically average in the $20-$30 range, depending on on the device purchased. They also offer free engraving. You will need to allow two to three weeks for the process, so do not delay. Apple becomes very busy in the back-to-school season and may not be able to accommodate a short turn-around.
  
  The iPad can be shipped free either to your home or to a local Apple Store for pick-up. If you elect to ship to your local Apple Store, their staff will also help you create an Apple ID with family sharing and set up the iPad.
  
  Should you be interested in availing yourself of this discount, your best plan of action is to purchase online through this Apple website: https://www.apple.com/us/shop/goto/educationrouting. If you choose to purchase from an Apple retail store directly, you may not be able to take advantage of the online discount.

• Q.

  Will all of my student’s books be available electronically?

  Most of the traditional textbooks can be purchased as e-books, iBooks, or Kindle books; but not all textbooks may be electronic. We regularly review our current textbook list, with eye to replacing print textbooks with viable digital, interactive textbook options, based on curricular needs and features of electronic books and platforms. There is an annual fee for e-book subscriptions purchased by Loyola Academy.

• Q.

  Do students buy the apps for the iPad, or does the school?

  Students will purchase and install apps with their Apple ID from The App Store. We encourage families to set up Apple Family Sharing to share access to purchases.

• Q.

  Will students be trained to use the iPad?

  All incoming freshman students will participate in a mandatory training session during freshman orientation to help them become responsible users of technology and familiar with the iPad.

• Q.

  Can students buy games? What sort of management will the school put on the student iPads?

  The iPad is a personal device, owned by our families. Being a responsible user of technology is a tenet of 21st-Century skills. Beyond network authentication, Loyola will not use managing software on the iPads. Students have access to all of the apps and iBooks in the Apple App/iTunes Stores with their Apple ID. All of the apps in The App Store have been vetted by Apple’s quality control, assuring us of their safety and propriety.

• Q.

  Will Internet filtering be used to discourage students from accessing inappropriate sites?

  While on the Loyola Academy wireless network, all internet traffic is monitored and filtered the best we can through our filter and parameters configured through our Internet Service Providers. Students will be expected to fully comply with our Technology Use Policies. These policies are published in the student handbook. Parents are likewise encouraged to carefully monitor their student’s use of the iPad at home, as they would the use of any other internet device.

• Q.

  How will teachers use the iPad in their classes?

  During the remote and hybrid learning of COVID-19, iPads were our academic lifelines between students and teachers. Since our return to full, in-person learning, teachers continue to use the iPad as a tool to enrich student learning, based on 21st Century teaching models. Among them will be to access information beyond the four walls of the classroom, to analyze material from a variety of sources, to communicate a student’s findings and conclusions, to engage with other learners, and to create original works. An iPad is an additional tool, similar to chalk, LCD projectors, online grades, and many other examples to enhance student learning.

• Q.

  Why does the mobile computing device need to be an Apple iPad?

  The iPad was the first mobile, tablet device. It is a functionally reliable product and has design elements which fit our needs, such as its long battery life, flat profile, touchscreen, and dual cameras. The robust app-developer community is dedicated to designing apps for educational use of the iPad.

• Q.

  What happens when something better than the Apple iPad comes out?

  It is more than likely that something better than the iPad will come out; and when it does, we will evaluate available technologies and re-evaluate our policy. The iPad is designed to supplement computer technologies and is merely a tool to be used for teaching and learning. Enhancing student learning must always come before any particular educational tool, whether it be a ruler, a calculator, a textbook, or an iPad.

• Q.

  Aren’t kids already overexposed to technology and social media?

  We are aware of the dangers associated with overexposure to technology and social media. Our job as educators and parents is to make sure that students know those dangers, too, and become smart, ethical, healthy users of their mobile and computing devices. Your student’s teachers will help in that endeavor, but parents play a vital role in this educational component. Parental resources on digital health and safety can be found at: https://www.goramblers.org/digital-safety. Teachers are trained to use the right tool at the right time to reach learning outcomes. Sometimes it makes sense to put pen to paper or turn the pages of a book, whether those are paper pages or electronic pages. Sometimes it is important just to listen or to lead a group discussion. And sometimes it is essential to use an iPad to find the best answers, synthesize mountains of information, and create something dynamic that will help transform our world. We also want to create a level playing field, without digital haves and have-nots. The one-to-one program ensures that every student has the necessary digital tools to aid his or her education and growth.

• Q.

  When should families purchase their iPads?

  Students attending summer school at Loyola Academy will need an iPad for class. Otherwise, families should purchase their iPads prior to freshman orientation.

• Q.

  Why do students need a mobile computing device of their own?

  In the 2012-13 academic year, we implemented an iPad Pilot Program with eight teachers and approximately 240 students. Participants in the program explored best practices in teaching the 21st Century student and whether or not the iPad Pilot Program would enrich teaching and learning. Based upon the experiences of the iPad Pilot Program, we concluded the device meets a number of curricular needs that the school has identified for its students of the 21st Century. In particular, the iPad offers students:
  

  • Access via our wireless network to a world of information via the Internet;
  • Access to mobile computing power for engaging in the type of work our society now expects;
  • Access to our learning management system to give our students notifications of new course information and access to all course material through one, centralized location;
  • Access to digital textbooks, databases, audio and video files, and cloud storage so they can carry their studies with them in a variety of engaging formats;
  • Access to social media so that students can engage in the bold dialogue and intellectual conversations of the age; and
  • A personalized computing device that ensures widespread and equitable access as well as options for personal customization, integration, and responsibility.

• Q.

  What happens if my student downloads too many expensive apps without my permission – apps unrelated to school work? Will I be able to refund those items?

  All of Apple’s app sales are final, so it is essential that you discuss this with your Rambler. If your student currently is downloading songs or videos from iTunes, most likely you already have had this discussion.  Apple IDs can be created with no credit card, and there is now the option to share apps through the Family-Sharing feature of your Apple ID. Finally, you can also set up an allowance-type account and/or use Apple iTunes gift cards for app purchases. 

• Q.

  How will the school handle the theft or physical damage of a device?

  When you purchase your iPad, we strongly urge you to purchase protection against loss, theft, and/or damage. The following are two options for your consideration:

  • AppleCare+ is an extended warranty and coverage for accidental damage to your student’s iPad. You must purchase AppleCare+ within 30 days of purchase of the iPad. AppleCare+ does not insure against loss or theft.
  • To insure against loss, theft, vandalism, fire, flood, natural disasters, and power surges due to lightning strikes, an option is to purchase third-party insurance. One such vendor is Worth Ave. Group. They also cover accidental damage, such as from drops and/or spills. There are a variety of coverage lengths and deductible options from which to choose. Further information can be found at the following link: https://www.worthavegroup.com/portal/loyolail.

• Q.

  What kinds of activities or content are prohibited in the classroom?

  The general rule is that if there is something a student should be doing, then that’s what a student should be doing. If the class is researching something, then that’s what all students should be doing. If students are on their own time, then they can choose how to spend their time. Just as a student can get a JUG for being disruptive in class or listening to their music instead of their teachers, they can get a JUG for doing something on their iPad other than what they should be doing. Misbehaving is misbehaving.