U-M Dearborn begins new sustainability initiative with iPads

Sustainability at the college level is no longer just about building retrofits and walkability. To wit: the University of Michigan-Dearborn recently received a $15,000 grant to initiate a pilot program that puts iPads into the hands of its School of Education students. The tablet computers are far more energy efficient than their laptop counterparts. For instance, a laptop battery will last an hour or two while an iPad battery is good for 10 hours or more.

The grant pays for 15 iPads, apps and software training at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. The students and professors working on the fledgling initiative are also evaluating other new technologies that could help cut energy use.

"We have identified some technologies to integrate into classes," says Stein Brunvand, assistant professor of educational technology at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. "Our ultimate goal is to promote this sort of technology integration across all curriculums."

Brunvand's team is currently working on landing more grant money to expand the program later this year.

Source: Stein Brunvand, assistant professor of educational technology at the University of Michigan Dearborn
Writer: Jon Zemke

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