Tablet computers may seem like a luxury today, but St. James Elementary in La Crescenta and Holy Redeemer Middle School of Montrose are fortunate to have a total of 20 iPads on each campus for student education.These electronic devices offer a platform on which to use a wide variety of educational tools and applications (apps) that are fun and enjoyable. Both campus locations integrate their iPads into everyday academic curriculum. There are apps for logic, mathematics, history, science, grammar, reading, and literature, and students use them on a weekly, if not daily, basis in most of their classes. The students believe that the iPads are 100 percent useful and say they are able to work faster and more efficiently, often reducing their homework load. “The tablet computers are a great enrichment to the education and make learning more enjoyable, allowing students to grow in all subjects,” said Susan Romero, principal. “One of the greatest advantages of having these portable devices is being able to quickly research any question that anyone may have.” The iPads have brought about new projects and activities that the middle school students are able to participate in, such as: ‚Ä¢ Students can create presentations on various social studies topics using the app, Keynote.‚Ä¢ Sixth grade students have created flashcards to learn Spanish vocabulary and verb conjugation. ‚Ä¢ The decathlon team prepared for its March 2 competition using numerous logic games available on iPad.‚Ä¢ Students recently used earphones to listen to a video program on California photographer, Ansel Adams, and noteworthy scenes in Shakespeare plays.‚Ä¢ Eighth graders use the tablets to access an internet blog on “Romeo & Juliet” and post comments related to the tragedy and their life.Eighth grade teacher, Lisa Knatcal, reports that her students are motivated by the touch-screen interactivity of the tablet computer.On the St. James campus, first grade teacher, Katy McCauley, said, “The kids enjoy playing Spell Wiz, Coin Math, and TeachTown.” These applications help improve math computation speed and reading fluency. Of the total 40 iPads, 20 were recently donated by Mrs. Hansing, a grandmother of a student who currently attends St. James Elementary School. “We are very thankful for this very generous gift, and appreciate her interest in helping our teachers deliver the very latest tool to create a more interesting and effective learning environment,” added principal Romero.Eighth grade students, Johan Appels and Darren Kim contributed to this story.{gallery width=100 height=100}gallery/2013/0412/sfipad/{/gallery}