Lynn U Expands iPad Initiative

Lynn University in Florida has expanded its iPad initiative to include all of its day undergraduate students, new MBA students and Ed.D. students.

The university launched its iPad initiative a year ago to help deliver its core curriculum and save students money on textbooks. Students at the university can use their iPads to download faculty-produced iBooks and other course materials at no cost and to access course content on iTunes U. The university issued approximately 750 iPads in the first year of the program and anticipates issuing 1,800 in the 2014-15 school year.

According to the university, the devices have improved the teaching and learning experience at the university and saved students between 44 and 93 percent on textbook costs, depending on the program of study. "Combined with our curriculum and faculty-produced iBooks, it is a transformational learning device that truly engages students," said Chris Boniforti, chief information officer for Lynn University, in a prepared statement. "It also helps them save hundreds of dollars over the cost of traditional learning materials." An example from the university shows that a first-year business student can spend only $29 on materials, compared to $938 for new, hard-copy textbooks.

According to Gregg Cox, vice president for academic affairs, Lynn University will deliver "approximately 100 percent of day undergraduate and 80 percent of MBA course content through the iPad and iTunes U" this year — a significant expansion over the first year — and the university hopes to achieve 100 percent delivery within another year or two. "Meanwhile, we continue to evaluate the program to ensure our student engagement increases and that the learning experience also improves," he said in a prepared statement.

The university measures the success and progress of its iPad initiative through student surveys, student performance metrics and cost analysis. After the first year, the university found that "94 percent of students and 97 percent of faculty associated the iPad with favorably contributing to the learning experience."

About the Author

Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at [email protected].

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