General Chat

Extracts from "a Study undertaken on behalf of Naace (the IT Association) and supported by 9ine Consulting Ltd. Paul Henrich."

undertaken at the Academy – link can be provided by PM (54 pages of Pdf)

There is now strong evidence that devices such as the iPad2 (indeed the iPad in particular rather than Android tablets) are valuable educational tools. As will be seen in the detailed analysis of the xxxxxxx study, there are issues to be resolved in using personal devices in an enterprise environment but the increasingly positive impact on learning and attitudes to learning are clearly identified, even after a mere two school terms.
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A further extract regarding Student participation

The iPads are provided through a leasing scheme with uptake as at March 2012 of 726 units representing 76% of the pupils on roll. A further 100 (approx 10% - 960 on Roll)) students have iPads not provided by the school.
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As part of the same report, 23 parents responded to the questionnaire,.” the price could be lower’ although the respondents may not have realised that the leasing scheme provides insurance and maintenance.

Ive had a quick look, thats where i read that they has academy status

I just think it's strange that an academy who specialise in computing would be asking for students to supply their own IT equipment

Roy

The students at a school in our county have them (its been an Academy for 2 years).

The parents can purchase them and pay off over a number of years. There are grants available for those who can't afford them, and the Academy has some which they can lend out on a 'lesson' basis to the Students who have forgotten to bring/have parents who won't purchase. The 'won't purchase' parents tend to be those of pre-existing students.

The Year 7 is over subscribed, part of the reason being the emphasis on IT.

Yes I've just finished watching the Ipad one to one videos. I can see why it would b e a great tool to have in the classroom. Just wonder why it specifically would have to be Apple...as Ann says there are other cheaper alternatives...I'm convinced of it's usefulness just not of a 12 yr old's ability to be expected to look after it responsibly or the possible issues it could create with regards being stolen....... Tried to get into the frequently asked questions part to see what was being said but couldn't get in to read.

Has anyone looked at the school website?

I have.

I may be wrong but this school has academy status and i thought one of the benefits of academies was the they would have the latest up to date IT paid for by their sponsors?

Roy

I wouldn't buy one for school. No way would I want my 13 year old daughter shouldering the responsibility of carrying it to school & risking it getting stolen or broken.

If they want the kids to use media, then scrape together money for laptops or pcs for each classroom.

Asking parents to supply a pen drive for their child would be a lot cheaper for them to afford, or better still, a notebook to write down what they need to learn, rather than type!

To be fair, it is a specialist maths and computing college........

Its always difficult when technology is advancing so swiftly. And they are offering purchase schemes. Whether i could afford one is another matter, but i would certainly be listening to what the school had to say and the reasons why they thought it was necessary before i jumped to any conclusions.

It is the Daily Mail remember!

LaGooner....... People would have been saying that same thing when slates were invented. This is proper teaching. The days of inkwells and the cane for not remembering your latin declensions are over. If we want to provide an education that is capable of competing with the rest of the world, we teach accordingly. Proper teaaching? What an insult to the profession!!!!! Technology out of hand? Tell that to japan, korea and germany! Keep up or fall behind, then where will your grandchildrens futures lie!

Rant over :-D

Tablets might help in some situations with older scholars for note taking etc but why IPads when there are much cheaper ones on the market.

I most certainly would not buy one. If every single parent boycotted the idea the schools would have to back down. This technology thing is getting out of hand now, what has happened to proper teaching ???? :-| :-| :-|.

Rant over :-D

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2245003/iPad-fury-Parents-furious-school-tells-buy-tablet-children.html

Hard-up parents were left furious after a school asked them to fork out hundreds of pounds on iPads for lessons and homework.

Staff at Rossett School in Harrogate, North Yorkshire told children to ask their parents to buy them the £300 tablet for their work.

But the request has infuriated parents, hundreds of whom attended a showdown meeting with the headteacher over the cost.
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Would you pay for your child to have one of these for school.? I'd be deeply worried about sending my 12 yr old into school everyday with a £300 piece of equipment on her...even before working out how I'd actually be able to afford one ! I think it's a bit high handed of the school..and am in two minds as to whether I'd relent and buy one if i was in this position. Wondered what others thought?