The iPad programme, which has been adopted by 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, seeks to enhance learning for our students by utilising 21st century learning tools. The usage of individual iPads empowers students to improve their self-initiated learning and collaboration, and prepare them for further studies and the workplace.
A dynamic interaction among students, educators, parents and the extended community enhances student learning. Technology does not diminish the vital role of the teacher. On the contrary, it transforms the teacher from a director of learning to a facilitator of learning. Effective teaching and learning with iPads integrates technology into the curriculum at any time and any place.
Why an iPad?
- Relatively cheap.
- Extreme portability and low weight.
- There is no login time, they are instant on devices.
- 10 hour battery life means that a single charge will last the whole school day.
- There is no barrier between teacher and student as there can be with laptops.
- No moving parts means that they are very durable devices.
- It just works! No viruses, no crashes and the software is very intuitive.
- As most apps are free or at most a few dollars, it provides a great agility to try new things to enhance the learning environment.
- The ease of use makes them perfectly target enablers of creation for students.
- They fit perfectly as a companion device with existing learning strategies.
- Enable instant access to a world of new learning opportunities.
- iPads are the current clear tablet market leader.
- The iPad operating system (iOS) is the most mature of competing mobile operating systems.
- There are more apps (in particular educational apps) available for iOS than any other mobile operating system enabling greater agility.
- iPads have already proven to be very successful in school settings.
The iPad will have the student’s school email account setup to assist with communication between them and the staff and other students. To load apps an iTunes account will be required. The student may use their own account, if they have one, and a school account will also be provided. The Secondary students will have their text books loaded on the device giving them easy access to all texts without having to carry heavy books around. The online texts are also enriched with content that would not be possible to use in the text version. This includes video, sound and animated graphics.
All 1:1 student iPads are provided by the College as part of the Composite Levy for Senior students in Years 7 to 12. The device will remain College property, however, be loaned to the family. All damage costs during the loan period will be the responsibility of the family. The iPad must be returned to the College when the student leaves. The College reserves the right to allocate, collect and use the iPads based on educational and operational requirements.