The Wizard sent this in:
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Brutus: I thought readers may be interested in this.
Our family drove I-10 for hours this Thanksgiving break. Before departing, I downloaded a few podcasts using the WiFi and loaded the van with CDs for hours of listening pleasure. A short time into the drive my wife and I noticed our middle schooler was using his EPISD issued iPad. We got his attention and asked, “Hey want to listen to something with us or play a game?” He replied, “No, I’m watching You Tube videos.”
“Humm”, I thought. A smart kid downloading what he wanted as well. An hour or so later he asked to plug-in the EPISD issued iPad to charge-it-up. So we did. Then I asked him, “How much video does that iPad hold?” He responded, “I don’t know. I’m streaming these.”
“What? How is he doing that in the middle of no place?”, I asked. He responded that his iPad doesn’t need WiFi, it’s connected to a data service. To be clear we had a short discussion and he confirmed: Yes, EPISD (tax payers) pay for streaming data on my middle school kids Ipad during Thanskgiving break and he is using it to watch You Tube videos. Well, this can’t last forever as that would both foolish and I guessed a waste of money. There must be a limit to the data streaming.
Now to make a long story short. He streamed videos at night in the hotel rooms without WiFi (the hotel had WiFi, but it was too slow he said), and in the van for hours on the return trip. I guess there is no data limit or it is extreme.
So, I write this thank you note to EPISD and tax payers for not only the iPad but also for the luxury data streaming service.
I’d say we deserve better – but that was pretty nice already
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Brutus
elpasospeak 
Actually, that student must attend one of five middle school campuses in EPISD that have received a grant from Verizon Innovative Schools Foundation and Digital Promise, a national organization that is dedicated to helping students in low income areas bridge the digital divide between those families that can afford internet at home and those that cannot.
This parent apparently did not attend, or if they did, did not pay any attention to, any of the MANY meetings held at that campus to explain the program, did not read the Responsible Use Policy (although they had to have signed it in order for their child to get the device) did not participate in the large scale rollout at that campus, nor attended any of the parent orientations on how to use the device at home with their child (streaming videos is something the parents EPISD asked to have their children avoid, unless they were for education purposes.)
EPISD paid exactly $0 for the over 3000 iPads with Verizon connectivity, which allows students to work from home. (There is a cap of 5 GB per month on the data plan BTW.) For many of the students in the grant, this is the first device they have had at their homes with internet connectivity that is large enough to do homework on. The grant also includes training for teachers as well.
You can read about the grant here: https://www.episd.org/powerup/tech/digital_promise_vils.php
You can read about Digital Promise Here: http://digitalpromise.org
You can read about the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools Here: http://www.verizon.com/about/responsibility/verizon-innovative-learning
I suggest that “The Wizard” check in with his child’s teachers and principal once in a while to see what exactly is happening at their school. The Wizard might be surprised at the good things happening there. I also suggest that the Wizard take a little more interest in what his child is doing with the iPad, and ask him to turn it off once in a while and look out the window and enjoy nature’s high definition streaming video right before his eyes.
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Clueless parent: https://www.episd.org/powerup/tech/digital_promise_vils.php
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Since it is a grant, I guess it is OK, but it bothers me to learn that it is not available to all students at all campuses. And, of course, how many of those who get this grant will use it as intended (I don’t think that this kid did), and what will they do after the two year period is up?
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Brutus,
I will gladly answer any questions or concerns that this parent might have regarding the iPad programs in EPISD. It sounds like this student is part of the Verizon Grant and attends either Bassett, Charles, Armendariz, Henderson or Morehead. I can be reached at tbholt@episd.org or at 915-230-2640.
Tim Holt
EPISD
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Here is a video EPISD made about the Verizon Grant iPad rollout at Morehead. This was replicated at every school in the Verizon Grant. Great parent turn out, great community event,
The five campuses did an excellent job getting the parents and community out in force to these events.
Tim Holt
tbholt@episd.org
230-2640
EPISD
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Are there restrictions on what the students can access?
Brutus
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Dear Wizard: ask your child to download a good parenting video on his Verizon-funded EPISD tablet. It sounds like you could use a lesson in responsible parental supervision instead of focusing your energy on creating faux political intrigue.
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Snotty.
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Let’s not assume that all the communications issues here are the fault of the parent. All school districts, including EPISD, could use some improvement in their communications.
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I am less interested in the grant that I am the use of the iPad. This story only points out that kids will use their iPads 5% for school and 95% for entertainment, not all of it good, and certainly not a healthy way to spend time. I’m not convinced that unlimited streaming from Verizon or the iPad are a great idea.
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Dear CP: Only if the parent allows it.
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Brutus, you really need to pay more attention to what your kid is doing. This is one of those situations where parents are asking the school district “why are you doing such good things for my child?” Instead of being thankful that your child is one of the fortunate 4000 students who received a device, you are trying to slam the district. Get informed instead of making a fool of yourself.
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We did not write the post. It was sent in from a reader.
Brutus
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Some people jump before they read.
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