Prince George, B.C. – The Ad-Hoc Technology Committee on media tablets and mobile technology presented its report to the Prince George School Board tonight.

The committee was formed in response to a board motion passed in January, 2014, that the school district allow district schools to purchase media tablets and mobile technology.

The report included a survey of district staff (2,089 members), and received a 17.7% response rate. It also noted over the past year about 20 tablets have been purchased and approximately 1,200 computers.

It found staff are currently divided on whether the current technology the school district uses is sufficient for teaching including a strong desire (74%) for more choice in which platform (iOS, Android, Windows, etc) to be used in classrooms.

In addition, it found bring your own device (BYOD) has a strong level of support (79%) and it is strongly believed (88%) that BYOD can benefit learning.

The survey found 68% of staff own and use a tablet at home and consequently 81% of staff are interested in using tablets in a classroom as well.

A list of recommendations included a wish to continue to investigate the total cost of ownership and the protection of privacy in the district’s purchase of technology.

Committee member Morris Scarpino with the District Technology Deparment, told the board that the cost of the technology is expensive, noting the sticker price of each product is on average just 53% of the overall cost of the device.

He attributes the extra cost to the inevitable cost of technology repairs.

The committee also recommended the district review the practice of BYOD and to develop a strategy to encourage the implementation of mobile devices in schools.

It also recommended replacing the Ad-Hoc Technology Committee with an ongoing body to continue the work of the committee.

The board forwarded the report’s recommendations to the Education Services Committee for further discussion.