Bring I.T. – Years 3 - 6
In 2015 the Digital Learning committee are excited to provide an opportunity for students at Chilwell Primary School in Years 3, 4, 5 & 6 to “BRING I.T.” This program is not compulsory and you can choose to join in at anytime.
Chilwell Primary School Ideal:
Ideally, Chilwell Primary School students have access to online resources through contemporary teaching and learning devices (iPads) that enable students to access digital learning tools -or as stated in our Strategic Plan -Contemporary ICT being integrated into Teaching & Learning programs (2013-16). We are also aiming to strengthen relationships, share ICT knowledge, application and functionality between home and school.
To do this, we would like to engage families in the following process:
Firstly, discuss as a family the option the school is putting forward and decide if you would like to be involved.
Secondly, explore the extensive range of FAQ's that we have tried to answer for you.
Thirdly, rest assured, we have contacted numerous schools and learnt from their experiences. We have read research papers, sourced links and attached them for your perusal so you can make an informed decision.
Should you choose to be involved, we are aiming to keep the process as simple and as cost effective as possible. From surveying our students, we are aware that many families already own an iPad and therefore do not expect a new one to be purchased if you choose to be involved. We envisage the following steps will enable us to achieve our Digital Learning Vision of "Chilwell Primary School is committed to establishing a dynamic and thriving culture where digital learning is embraced and valued. In partnerships with families, our school community will be equipped to meet developing technologies with confidence, enthusiasm and the skills required, to prepare Chilwell students for a safe and productive future in the ever changing world."
The process:
1. Students bring a ‘family owned’ iPad (iPad 2, Air or newer model over time) - labelled, in a protective case, charged ready for use at school.
2. A Chilwell Primary School WiFi certificate will be installed on the iPad to access WiFi internet at school by school based technicians. Student's Google accounts can be set up on the device too, so we can continue to showcase student learning. Classroom teachers will assist students in organising 'folders' for school on the iPad and reinforce the 'appropriate use agreement' and 'consequences for inappropriate use'.
3. iPads can be taken home or stored at school.
4. Insured by parents – see your contents insurance provider.
5. Family owned iTunes account managed in conjunction with parents (we can run information sessions on how to set up and manage this account).
6. Apps list distributed by teacher (limited on purchased apps to $30 per year). With over 500,000 apps available, we have tended to use the free ones!
8. Professional Development sessions for parents - possibly student directed.
9. Information sessions will be conducted in Term 4 - October 15th - times and venues will be communicated closer to the date - open days etc to showcase student work.
10. Should you update an iPad to a later version, we can repeat the above process and set it up again!
We believe this opportunity takes away the pressure of “I have to have…” or “I’d prefer not to” as there is a choice.
As one of our parents stated at a previous information night, “This is an excellent opportunity for our students – let’s not miss it.” Mark Alexander, (Head of Corporate Communications, Personal Banking, Products & Markets, National Australia Bank)
We believe iPads are the best option because:
A further recommendation from the Digital Learning Committee is to offer special days (as we currently do) more often to students in Prep - 2 to bring an iPad for the day, a project or a certain task. Recently we have had Year 1's learning about Numbers in the Community which saw students taking photos with their iPads along Pakington St to enhance their learning. This method continues to support our achievement milestones in the School Strategic Plan, "to lower the student ratio:devices of 1:2.17 (2012) to, as close to 1:1 across the school, by 2016".
Staff were surveyed about what year levels this would be appropriate for – general consensus was Years 3-6 but could this
be extended further across the school? Absolutely! Teachers in Prep - 2 will be encouraged to provide further opportunities for families to allow their children the chance to bring an iPad to school. At this stage, we want to ensure we are successful in implementing this initiative in Years 3 to 6 and will look forward to introducing it in the Junior School.
In 2012, Chilwell PS explored the 1:1 option for students in Year 4. School Council set a target of 75% uptake to proceed. We had 68% of the cohort keen to be involved. A great number of interested families then and we hope to have as many or more this time around!
Some Questions...
What if we can’t afford an iPad? -
- Access to an iPad will still be via School - 6 iPads per classroom and 6-8 desktops (currently) but these will not be personalised.
What if I don't want to be involved!
- Don’t have to! The choice is yours, but we would love you to think about this and join in if and when you are ready.
- Access via School devices – shared – as is now – 6 per class (not personalised).
Leasing was offered last time but not now…why?
- We did investigate the lease option previously and found the school would potentially be liable for large amounts of money and we do not want to put the school in financial concerns. We also know that the majority of the community have devices (already bringing them in for various learning days and opportunities) and we DO NOT expect parents to buy ANOTHER device. Bring your current one!
Do the school have a preferred supplier?
- As iPads are readily available in any electronic department store and there is little to no discount offered on them, there is no advantage for
the school to have a preferred supplier. Covers can be purchased at reasonable prices on eBay.
Other schools have a portal to purchase the device through – will we?
- Initially, probably not as this implies the parents need to spend money. However, as we move forward and if there is a need to have a third
party involved, we could make this function available.
A more comprehensive list of FAQ’s are available on the FAQ tab.
In 2015 the Digital Learning committee are excited to provide an opportunity for students at Chilwell Primary School in Years 3, 4, 5 & 6 to “BRING I.T.” This program is not compulsory and you can choose to join in at anytime.
Chilwell Primary School Ideal:
Ideally, Chilwell Primary School students have access to online resources through contemporary teaching and learning devices (iPads) that enable students to access digital learning tools -or as stated in our Strategic Plan -Contemporary ICT being integrated into Teaching & Learning programs (2013-16). We are also aiming to strengthen relationships, share ICT knowledge, application and functionality between home and school.
To do this, we would like to engage families in the following process:
Firstly, discuss as a family the option the school is putting forward and decide if you would like to be involved.
Secondly, explore the extensive range of FAQ's that we have tried to answer for you.
Thirdly, rest assured, we have contacted numerous schools and learnt from their experiences. We have read research papers, sourced links and attached them for your perusal so you can make an informed decision.
Should you choose to be involved, we are aiming to keep the process as simple and as cost effective as possible. From surveying our students, we are aware that many families already own an iPad and therefore do not expect a new one to be purchased if you choose to be involved. We envisage the following steps will enable us to achieve our Digital Learning Vision of "Chilwell Primary School is committed to establishing a dynamic and thriving culture where digital learning is embraced and valued. In partnerships with families, our school community will be equipped to meet developing technologies with confidence, enthusiasm and the skills required, to prepare Chilwell students for a safe and productive future in the ever changing world."
The process:
1. Students bring a ‘family owned’ iPad (iPad 2, Air or newer model over time) - labelled, in a protective case, charged ready for use at school.
2. A Chilwell Primary School WiFi certificate will be installed on the iPad to access WiFi internet at school by school based technicians. Student's Google accounts can be set up on the device too, so we can continue to showcase student learning. Classroom teachers will assist students in organising 'folders' for school on the iPad and reinforce the 'appropriate use agreement' and 'consequences for inappropriate use'.
3. iPads can be taken home or stored at school.
4. Insured by parents – see your contents insurance provider.
5. Family owned iTunes account managed in conjunction with parents (we can run information sessions on how to set up and manage this account).
6. Apps list distributed by teacher (limited on purchased apps to $30 per year). With over 500,000 apps available, we have tended to use the free ones!
8. Professional Development sessions for parents - possibly student directed.
9. Information sessions will be conducted in Term 4 - October 15th - times and venues will be communicated closer to the date - open days etc to showcase student work.
10. Should you update an iPad to a later version, we can repeat the above process and set it up again!
We believe this opportunity takes away the pressure of “I have to have…” or “I’d prefer not to” as there is a choice.
As one of our parents stated at a previous information night, “This is an excellent opportunity for our students – let’s not miss it.” Mark Alexander, (Head of Corporate Communications, Personal Banking, Products & Markets, National Australia Bank)
We believe iPads are the best option because:
- iPads are friendly and students love them!
- iPads don't have malware or viruses.
- iPads allow us access to over 500,000 educational apps (and more being developed), iPads are lightweight, portable, intuitive.
- iPad battery life will get through the day easily (when charged).
- Staff have undertaken significant professional learning during the past 2.5 years.
- Most students' families already have one.
- Functionality - Ken Robinson (Ted talk)- technology that does more than 1 thing eg: a watch!
- Apple developing more and more "storefronts" (iTunesU, iBooks, apps, iBooks Author - free, etc) specific to education.
- Students publishing work - online, creating new content which was not otherwise possible.
- iPads allow staff to use SAMR & TPACK model, creating an individualised learning environment-differentiation.
A further recommendation from the Digital Learning Committee is to offer special days (as we currently do) more often to students in Prep - 2 to bring an iPad for the day, a project or a certain task. Recently we have had Year 1's learning about Numbers in the Community which saw students taking photos with their iPads along Pakington St to enhance their learning. This method continues to support our achievement milestones in the School Strategic Plan, "to lower the student ratio:devices of 1:2.17 (2012) to, as close to 1:1 across the school, by 2016".
Staff were surveyed about what year levels this would be appropriate for – general consensus was Years 3-6 but could this
be extended further across the school? Absolutely! Teachers in Prep - 2 will be encouraged to provide further opportunities for families to allow their children the chance to bring an iPad to school. At this stage, we want to ensure we are successful in implementing this initiative in Years 3 to 6 and will look forward to introducing it in the Junior School.
In 2012, Chilwell PS explored the 1:1 option for students in Year 4. School Council set a target of 75% uptake to proceed. We had 68% of the cohort keen to be involved. A great number of interested families then and we hope to have as many or more this time around!
Some Questions...
What if we can’t afford an iPad? -
- Access to an iPad will still be via School - 6 iPads per classroom and 6-8 desktops (currently) but these will not be personalised.
What if I don't want to be involved!
- Don’t have to! The choice is yours, but we would love you to think about this and join in if and when you are ready.
- Access via School devices – shared – as is now – 6 per class (not personalised).
Leasing was offered last time but not now…why?
- We did investigate the lease option previously and found the school would potentially be liable for large amounts of money and we do not want to put the school in financial concerns. We also know that the majority of the community have devices (already bringing them in for various learning days and opportunities) and we DO NOT expect parents to buy ANOTHER device. Bring your current one!
Do the school have a preferred supplier?
- As iPads are readily available in any electronic department store and there is little to no discount offered on them, there is no advantage for
the school to have a preferred supplier. Covers can be purchased at reasonable prices on eBay.
Other schools have a portal to purchase the device through – will we?
- Initially, probably not as this implies the parents need to spend money. However, as we move forward and if there is a need to have a third
party involved, we could make this function available.
A more comprehensive list of FAQ’s are available on the FAQ tab.