A new Westminster College initiative puts an iPad in the hands of every student.
The college is launching a campus-wide learning experience this week called "Digital Blue" in which each student and faculty member will be issued a 9.7-inch Apple iPad tablet and accessories.
All students will receive their devices at "Digital Blue check-in" from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday in the Coulter Science Center Atrium on the Westminster campus.
Westminster is one of only a handful of colleges in Missouri to undertake a campus-wide technological initiative of this scope, according to their press release. In preparation for the change, most classrooms throughout the summer were outfitted with Apple devices that connect to professors' iPads, helping them teach in a new way.
"Digital Blue is a progressive way of thinking about quality teaching and quality learning," said associate professor of education Barri Bumgarner, who is leading the initiative. "Using technology to enhance what we already do exceptionally well at Westminster will make the Blue Jay experience more engaging and more relevant as we prepare our students for the digital world."
The iPads allow the college to provide apps, digital content and updates to support classwork, but no iPad will be monitored, the college said. Students are welcome to customize and use the devices as they see fit.
"Digital Blue will totally change the way we interact with students in a positive way," said David Roebuck, vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty. "They can track their future."
Although the iPad is being provided to the students as a part of their Westminster education, students will still purchase textbooks when a digital version is not available for their iPad.
Senior Hayden Wallace, a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity from Lee's Summit, said he sees Digital Blue as an effective means for freshmen and sophomores to establish good time management, which is essential to college success.
The new iPads are the property of Westminster until the students graduate. Once they have completed their education, the iPad becomes theirs to keep.
"The sky is the limit," Bumgarner said. "I can teach outside. I can teach at the Berlin Wall. I can use video. I can use interactive materials on my device which allows students to respond. Digital Blue allows our students to receive the most relevant education possible."