As the iPad gains popularity with consumers across the country, they are also catching the eye of school district officials looking to provide their students with the opportunity to learn using the latest technology. A recent article by Stephanie Reitz (Associated Press) states that “Apple officials say they know of more than 600 districts that have launched what are called "one-to-one" programs, in which at least one classroom of students is getting iPads for each student to use throughout the school day.” Although a one-to-one program is not economically feasible for every district to implement, many urban districts are purchasing as many iPads as they can with the funding available to them. The schools that have been using the devices believe that the iPad is a better investment than textbooks over the long run. Eventually textbooks may very well be replaced in favor of the iPad for use both at school and at home.

As online learning courses become more and more mainstream, many states are considering proposals that would require students to take at least one online course before graduating from high school. Laura Devaney, of eSchoolNews.com, has written an article that describes the progress of the states that have already implemented this requirement. With the rising number of students that have unlimited access to the Internet, many students are turning to virtual learning environments as an alternative to the traditional classroom setting in which to learn. According to Devaney, “in 2010, more than 4 million K-12 students participated in formal virtual learning programs, including 217,000 students in cyber charter schools.”

A recent survey of students and young professionals, conducted by Cisco, was designed to find out what they want most in terms of employment. Surprisingly, a large salary did not claim the top spot on the list. In fact, the majority of the young adults surveyed “value social media access, device freedom and a mobile work style as much or more than money.” It appears that technology has now surpassed salary as the number one requirement that young professionals are seeking.