iPads for all?
Hi-tech future for Scottish classrooms
The government wants young people to be able to use more mobile
devices and handheld computers in schools.
Hundreds of pupils at almost 20 schools in Scotland are already
using cutting-edge technology in their classrooms. P7 children at
Sciennes Primary School in Edinburgh, for example, each have an
Apple iPad, while students at Morgan Academy in Dundee use Android
technology.
"We believe that access to a personal mobile device can
transform learning," one teacher at Sciennes Primary said.
And a primary seven boy from the school agreed, saying: "I think
it's a great idea because it's like carrying the internet around
with you all the time ... it's an interesting device, it gives you
lots of learning opportunities."
Two years ago the private Cedars School of Excellence in
Greenock claimed it had become the first school in the world to
give every pupil an iPad.
Students there use their devices for everything from measuring
their pulse rates in science to recording video evaluations of
school trips.
"Outside of school many children have access to rich and
exciting technologies that help them learn, play, communicate,
collaborate and socialise. Yet these tools are sometimes blocked
and not always used in the school environment," said Mike Russell,
who is in charge of education in Scotland.
Mr Russell wants this to change and has said all learners should
be able to benefit from mobile technology.
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iPads for all?
Hi-tech future: some worries answered
Hundreds of young people in almost 20 schools in Scotland are
using mobile devices and tablet computers, like iPads, in their
classrooms every day.
The government has said it wants all learners in the country to
be able to benefit from mobile technology.
While this is an exciting idea, it has also given rise to a
number of worries from pupils and parents. Staff at Sciennes
Primary School in Edinburgh, where all P7 pupils have an iPad, have
provided some answers:
Will using mobile technology mean pupils just sit in
front of screens all day?
One of the major benefits of mobile technology is that
it's mobile! We aim to show that the days of sitting behind a fixed
screen on a desk are a thing of the past.
One parent mentioned concerns about posture, and being 'hunched
over it'. Pupils are actually more likely to be 'hunched' over a
jotter since the iPad actually allows greater flexibility in
posture. With mobile devices such as the iPad, the pupils can move
around and be active in the classroom while using these
devices.
We want technology to go where the child goes, not to tie the
child to where the technology needs to be.
What about handwriting and spelling?
The aim is "technology as accessible as paper" so we will
continue to blend together both paper and technology as appropriate
to each lesson. Handwriting and spelling are not going away!
What if my device gets broken?
Pupils are required to take personal responsibility for
taking good care of their iPads and we believe that having access
to their own personal device will give a strong sense of ownership
and encourage care. We will provide a protective case.
We recognise that accidents will happen, however, and we have
some insurance in place. Incidents will be logged and may lead to
restricted access if we feel pupils are being unduly careless.
This article is based on part of the FAQs for
parents section of Sciennes Primary School pilot project web page:
www.sciennes.ik.org/p_11.ikml
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