Diverse Issues in Higher Education September 5, 2012 900 Jackson State Students Getting iPads Nine hundred Jackson State University students are taking part in a program in which they will receive iPads for school work. Chemistry professor William McHenry tells WLBT-TV (http://bit.ly/OKPy9o) that the iPad Technology Advantage Scholarship Initiative, a nonprofit foundation, will distribute the iPads to the students this week. He said the program will help students save money on textbooks. "We looked at how do we encourage students' academic success, how do we assist folks in taking advantage of learning opportunities. The research we looked at said the iPad with the iBooks will accelerate learning," said Henry, who is president of the foundation. The students will save their work virtually, allowing their instructors to track their progress. The iPads also have security and tracking software. "It comes with a Bluetooth keyboard and a case to protect it, but also it's loaded with software that will help in productivity, like Microsoft Office," said McHenry. Most of the course textbooks will be available for purchase online. Some discounted because they're in e-form. "We think it's going to enhance learning and help parents trying to support their kids' education," said McHenry. The students must complete two years to gain ownership of the iPads. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-520-0593 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Register now http://www.hbculibraries.org/html/2012meeting-form.html for the October 21-23, 2012 HBCU Library Alliance 5th Membership Meeting and the Photographic Preservation Pre-Conference in New Orleans, LA. The Pre-Conference and Membership meeting are open to directors and other librarians.