Comparing the Costs of an iPad Classroom to the Traditional
Although the main goal when I proposed the Tap Into Teen Minds iPad Project was to increase engagement and student achievement in the mathematics classroom, I also wanted to eliminate items used in the traditional mathematics classroom and determine whether costs could also be reduced simultaneously.
I have completed two cost summaries below which compare a school using a semester timetable with 30 students in each of the six courses a single mathematics teacher would teach over the school year.
iPad Classroom Item List and Costs
| Item | Purpose | Cost |
| Class Set of iPads |
Used to complete digital worksheets, online practice such as Khan Academy, submit “clicker” quizzes, create digital portfolios in the cloud with Dropbox, and essentially replace all other technologies in the classroom. $419 x 30 iPads |
$12,570 |
| Bretford PowerSync Cart | Charge, store, & secure iPads in a central location. | $2,499 |
| Monoprice.com iPad Covers & Screen Protectors | Protect the iPads from daily wear, tear, & damage. | $225.85 |
| MacBook / Laptop | Syncing iPads | $949 |
| LCD Projector | Display content from computer via iPad using Splashtop Remote Desktop or similar | $600 |
| Apple TV | Allow teacher and students to mirror their iPad screen through the projector and explain their process and thinking | $99 |
| TOTAL COST | $16,942.85 |
Traditional “Digital” Classroom Item List and Costs
| Item | Purpose | Cost |
| Paper |
Used to print TIPS4RM Style worksheets & lessons on a daily basis. Avg. of 6 sheets per day x 194 days of school x 180 students = 209,520 Sheets of Paper $45 for 5,000 sheets |
$1,885.68 |
| Photocopier Toner |
Used to actually print all worksheets. $207.99 for 25,000 sheets |
$1,743.12 |
| Eliminate Textbooks |
Typically used as question banks in secondary rather than an actual learning tool. $80 x 90 textbooks |
$7,200 |
| TI-83 Graphing Calculators |
Used to meet the technology expectations of all secondary mathematics courses. $129.99 x 30 Calculators |
$3,899.70 |
| Classroom Performance System (CPS), Senteo, or Similar | Classroom “Clicker” systems | $3,000 |
| SMART Board, Promethean, or similar IWB | To present material digitally and dynamically | $3,000 |
| TOTAL COST | $20,728.50 |
iPads Make Financial and Educational Sense
When we consider all costs associated with operating the traditional “digital” mathematics classroom, after the first year, your school and board will experience cost savings under the given assumptions above.
What About Me? I Still Use Chalk!
If a mathematics teacher is still currently writing a note up on the board or simply displaying a transparency on an overhead projector, you definitely will not experience a cost savings. However, I would argue that improved levels of engagement and success in your mathematics classroom does have a cost and it is well worth it in the long-run. Regardless of how educated, experienced, or entertaining the teacher is, when the math itself is static on a chalk board or overhead projector, it can be difficult to get students to learn to love the subject area and excel to their highest potential.
Currently Using a TIPS-Style, Three-Part Lesson?
If you are like many of the teachers currently switching to a TIPS4RM style lesson, where handouts on a daily basis are the “norm,” the cost savings of eliminating the photocopying required would enable an iPad classroom to be paid completely in just under four and a half years. Without even factoring in the other technologies and textbook savings which present themselves in an iPad classroom, this technology makes financial and educational sense to me; will it also make sense to your board?
Retail Price of iPads & Tablets Are Dropping!
Still not convinced that the cost of an iPad classroom can be justified? Don’t give up! With the cost of iPads decreasing and the number of tablet makers increasing, Apple will not be able to keep prices above $400 for long. Many predict that Apple will lose its hold on the majority of tablet consumers as Android continues to grow and other operating systems, such as Windows 8 improve.
Regardless of whether you see a cart full of iPads coming your way in the near future, I encourage you to take steps to prepare yourself and show that if funding becomes available, you would be a great candidate to lead the program. Feel free to contact me by leaving a comment if you have any questions, concerns, or need some advice with a proposal! Good luck!