The Ontario government has partnered with Rogers Communications and Apple to help meet the educational needs of students and families during the COVID-19 outbreak. iPad is being purchased and distributed by Ontario school boards, pre-equipped with free Rogers LTE wireless data. Apple is providing on-going support in French and English to teachers, parents and students, with a collection of resources to support learning and working from home.
“This important partnership will enable students to learn while making technology accessible for those that truly need it,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, in a statement. “Our government is committed to ensuring equitable access to education, so that every child – irrespective of ability, geography or socio-economic circumstance – can continue their learning while schools are closed.”
This week Ontario school boards began distributing iPad to students who don’t have either the technology or the internet they need to access the Learn at Home program. To date, over 21,000 will be sent to the homes of families in need. The free Rogers wireless data will be available until the end of June.
Also, Apple is providing videos, apps and books to help teachers build engaging lessons for students at home, along with fun and creative activities that kids and families can do with the built-in features of iPad. Apple is also offering teachers free one-to-one virtual coaching by Apple Professional Learning Specialists.
In addition to providing free wireless data, Rogers is also working with Ontario school boards to provide high-speed, low-cost internet to subsidized tenants and members of housing partners across Ontario through its Connected for Success program, as well as the Government of Canada Connecting Families initiative. The Province has accelerated the delivery of broadband internet access, currently on track to be in every high school in Ontario by September 2020 and elementary school by September 2021.
“With this collaboration and commitment to on-going support for remote learning, our school boards, Apple and Rogers clearly demonstrate the Ontario spirit and the incredible ability to overcome any obstacle for our kids,” said Minister Lecce.
“For some of the most vulnerable members of our society, accessing online learning tools at home is an added burden at a time when there is already a lot of stress,” said Dean Prevost, President, Rogers for Business. “Rogers is pleased to be working alongside the Ontario Government, Apple and school boards across the province to help close the digital divide for some of our most vulnerable young people and their families.”
Quick Facts
• Ontario’s Ministry of Education has collaborated with educators, school boards, Apple and Rogers to support the Learn at Home program with an iPad and integrated wireless remote learning solution to help meet the educational needs of our province’s families.
• Working with Apple and Rogers, Ontario school boards now have access to affordable solutions with iPad, which is the most secure device for education that’s also easy to use, and to manage and deploy — so that no student is left behind while schools are closed due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation.
• iPad will be purchased and distributed by Ontario school boards, pre-equipped with Rogers LTE wireless data. Rogers is providing this plan at no cost for the balance of the school year (until June 30, 2020). Students and families do not need to contact Rogers to set the devices up.
• School boards will determine requirements for student eligibility to receive an iPad.
• In addition, Rogers is allowing eligible households to sign up for high-speed Internet with no overage fees for $9.99 monthly.
Source: Ontario.ca
MacDailyNews Take: Congrats, Ontario students, families, and teachers on getting the best device for learning at home!
I am looking for my 2vkids free devise .were i go and get for my both kids
You need to see if your local or state government has any programs available, or if any charities in your area can help. You school might also be able to help. Friends with older iPads might sell for cheap or give or loan you an iPad. You might find something on Craigslist or a pawn shop but get the help of a friend to ensure you aren’t buying something too out of date or for too high a price. Apple’s cheapest iPad is only $329, maybe you can save up to buy one. Hope this helps.
This great, maybe they will even keep them after.
I was part on a School Community Council on Ontario and we wanted to get iPads for our school that SCC did fundraising for and the Board would not let us we had to get the board approved Android crap or nothing.
Our school lends chromebooks to help in online learning programs. Chromebooks are cheaper than iPads and of course, but iPads require less tech support. Chromebooks are still better for older kids.
Cool post
It seems to me that this is not the most important thing for homeschooling. It would be better if they bought https: //melscience.com/US-en/physics/ to conduct experiments at home for students. It would be a lot more educational benefit.
nice post like it
nice post like it