Approximately 1,600 iPads were issued to freshmen and sophomore students in September to be used for textbooks, dictionaries and translators.

Students and parents filled out online paper work and paid an insurance fee of $40, or a deposit fee of $50, to receive the iPads. Once they had the device, students downloaded Find My iPhone, Google iDrive, and Absolute Safe—apps required by the Child Internet Protection Act of 2000.

iPad recipients said there are some downsides. Some said they get easily distracted when trying to read the textbook on their iPads, leading them to procrastinate and not do homework. Even students with more than a year of experience with iPads said they had trouble staying on task.

“I prefer the actual book, because the textbook app lags on the iPad and it’s easier to get distracted on it,” junior Neanna Yi said. “Also, it makes you feel like you’re reading a lot compared to the book, because one page in the book might equal several pages on the app.”

Several students said another problem is the weight of the case.

“The case is so heavy,” sophomore Heidi Lin said. “The weight of the iPad basically equals the weight of a textbook. If I had a choice, I’d rather carry a textbook.”

While students struggled with staying on task, teachers said they had trouble with trying to incorporate the use of the iPads into their lessons. In addition, they have had to deal with disciplining students playing games during class.

“Eventually the iPads will be useful, but right now, it’s a learning process. Teachers have to know what parts of the lesson will go with the iPads,” math teacher Carolynn Wesche said. “I have to tell students every day at the beginning of each class and repeatedly during the lesson to put up their iPads because they’ll be playing games on their iPad instead of taking notes.”