P&C catches onto disturbing iFad trend

Kudos to Brian Hicks of the Charleston Post and Courier for highlighting the increasingly troublesome trend of school districts laying out scarce funds for technology that remains unproven in its ability to improve student performance.

Hicks writes that just four months after the Charleston County School Board approved issuing iPads to students in three elementary school classrooms, it has decided to expand the pilot program to two entire schools next year at a cost of $2.1 million.

This comes during a period when the district is facing a massive budget shortfall. And, as Hicks points out, when the academic value of these gadgets has yet to be proven. He adds:

Perhaps what’s most amazing is that the board’s decision was unanimous. That’s a testament to the sales job by district staff, which said iPads will accelerate the achievement of students in a material, uh, digital world.

RBC-Heritage pairing makes little sense

It’s hardly surprising that organizers of The Heritage are refuting reports that Royal Bank of Canada is close to signing a deal to sponsor the Lowcountry golf tournament.

Earlier this month, Royal Bank of Canada was the subject of rumors when it was speculated the Toronto-based financial services giant was possibly shopping its US banking operation, composed of 420 branches in the Southeastern US.

Still, Golf World reported Monday that RBC was on the brink of an agreement with The Heritage, citing several unnamed players and sources related to Hilton Head Island’s PGA Tour event, which has been without a title sponsor for about a year and a half.

But the Hilton Head Island Packet reported Tuesday that Wilmot was refuting the report that Royal Bank was close to signing a four-year deal to sponsor the tournament.