Local school showcased in Apple commercial

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — “Students come to us today and they’ve been emerged in technology from the time they were born basically,” says Walt Overbay, English teacher at Lexington High School. Something teachers at Lexington High School are using to their advantage, with the iPad 2. “It’s hard to keep the students away from the iPad,” says Overbay. The district bought the iPads with money from a 2008 voter approved 15 million dollar bond referendum. And so far, teachers say the devices are working. “I think it engages students so much more,” says Overbay. But teachers aren’t the only ones impressed. “Apple contacted the district and said you know, we’ve been impressed with the way you rolled out the product,” says Overbay. Soon after, apple went to the school to film an advertisement with teachers like Walt Overbay. “They brought in crews from New York and Los Angeles,” says Overbay. While school officials are excited about the commercial, they are even more excited about the learning experience. “Assignments like reading assignments and working on electronic documents, they seem to um, I don’t know it’s what they’re used to, so I think it’s easier for them,” says Overbay. But the old fashioned textbook is still used. “Textbooks, you know they are fantastic…nowadays you have your textbook with more information than you could possibly ever go through,” says Overbay However, there are problems. “They out date so fast,” says Overbay Something Mr. Overbay says the iPad can overcome. “With an i-Pad you’ve got the capability for publishers to update information immediately,” says Overbay Crandall Sims reporting, “And while teachers say students have become more engaged in classwork since getting the i-Pad, they are some restrictions…once students enter the classroom all messaging and gaming apps, must be turned off.” “You still have to have the responsibility that comes with the privilege,” says Overbay. “Being able to identify with how students learn today, how they communicate and being able to do that with them, you know will help education so much and we’re only just now on the edge of it,” says Overbay. For more on the advertisement featuring Lexington High School visit www.apple.com.