Apple's Genius Idea: Donating Your Old iPad to Teach For America Classrooms

Good news for all you iPad owners who want an excuse to upgrade to the iPad 2. Apple has teamed up with Teach For America, the nonprofit education organization that places mostly recent college grads in low performing, low income schools, to help funnel old iPads into the classrooms. All you have to do is turn in your first generation iPad at an Apple store and they'll make sure it gets in the hands of a kid who needs it.

Apple's partnership with TFA comes at a time when school districts are increasingly investing in iPads as learning tools—teachers love iPads because they can download apps or pull up online skill-building programs for kids who need extra practice. Plus, the easy access to information they provide makes researching and learning about countless subjects a snap. Unfortunately, given the budget cuts coming down the pike, few schools can put iPads in classrooms on their own dime.

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Of course, Apple could go a step further and offer store credit to people who generously turn in their old iPads. After all, a functioning iPad goes for $300 to $400 on eBay right now. But Teach For America is a 501(c)(3). At least your donation will be tax deductible.

hat tip to ArsTechnica