Past, present, future
Ever wonder why our kids are so good with technology? Why do they
not fear it? How do they keep up with the changes and know so much about it? Are
they digital natives? Or a product of their environment?
We would love to say that we as teachers have shown them all that, but we haven't! Kids are inquisitive! They are happy to make mistakes and try again. It's a bit like when you get a new mobile phone. Do you know all the functions and capabilities straight away? You explore, play, press buttons, get lost, delete stuff and try again. Friends show us how to access the internet, email, save images, share stuff, and if we are still not sure... we 'Google' it... and so much more. 5 years ago smart phones and iPads were not around. What will be developed and invented in the next 5-10 years?
It is with this premise Chilwell PS prides itself on providing students and teachers with contemporary ICT equipment to learn and teach, communicate and collaborate with. Chilwell invests significant funds in:
- infrastructure (WiFi, servers, cabling etc),
- technical support (we employ more than what the department supplies),
- hardware (computers, iPads, digital cameras, interactive whiteboards or IWB's, TV's, scanner, photocopiers, etc)
- and various software and online programs (mathletics, reading eggs, 2 simple software etc).
During the early 2000's, Chilwell invested in IWB's as another tool to engage and enhance learning. IWB's can be found in every classroom, art room, library, staffroom and the Principal's office. These are used in a variety of learning activities. A computer lab was part of the previous building that now stands where the BER Library/Lab is now. The new building which now hosts our lab consists of 30 desktop computers (lab) and 8 iPads in the library. Adjacent to this facility is the Multimedia Room which allows for chroma key (greenscreen) activities, recording, the use of a Mac and borrowing of various pieces of other equipment.
By DEECD definition, any ICT hardware over 4 years old is considered to be obsolete. Over the past 4 years the school has worked hard at updating classroom and lab computers. It has also trialed and implemented iPads (6 per classroom) initially in the junior school and then moving into all areas of the school. We have had some teachers asking families to allow their children to bring an iPad for a particular lesson or activity. This has been well supported by our community.
The senior year levels were part of the DEECD netbook trial in 2008-10. This led to 40 netbooks being used in the new teaching space above the Library. In 2014 a further 28 laptops and 24 iPads were added to the year 5/6 learning environment.
Moving forward, part of Chilwell Primary School's vision is to continue to provide contemporary digital learning devices for students. For our school to continue this vision, we will require our families to be more financially and technologically involved in our students learning. To continually turn over the current number of devices will not enable us to increase the number of devices and lower our student:device ratio.
It is with this in mind that out ICT committee would like to implement a Bring Your Own iPad (BYOi) program called
"BringIT2Chilwell" in 2015. Our ideal device is the iPad. It would be great to have the most recent iPad (iPad Air), but we understand many families will have an iPad2 or similar. We DO NOT expect families to rush out and buy a new iPad but want to provide an opportunity for your child to have an iPad with them at school that is personalised, linked to the school WiFi, setup for their Google drive account, email and used when needed.
The benefits of using an iPad begin with the minimal technical support required. A certificate to allow access to the school network will be
installed by our technicians and then the students are away! Obviously we will have policies and practices in place and consequences for unacceptable or inappropriate use. Our Year 6 ICT committee have been putting together a document that outlines consequences depending on the offence.
We believe iPads are the best option because:
BringIT2Chilwell allows you to make the decision to allow your child to bring an iPad to school.
We have provided a list of FAQ's, an overview of the program and other various links to research, case studies and useful sites around
cybersafety. Please explore the website we have created and if we have forgotten anything or you think could be added, please use the 'Contact' tab and send us a message.
We hope you will support the school vision and in turn, support your child's learning and use of technology in a safe, supporting and caring environment.
Ever wonder why our kids are so good with technology? Why do they
not fear it? How do they keep up with the changes and know so much about it? Are
they digital natives? Or a product of their environment?
We would love to say that we as teachers have shown them all that, but we haven't! Kids are inquisitive! They are happy to make mistakes and try again. It's a bit like when you get a new mobile phone. Do you know all the functions and capabilities straight away? You explore, play, press buttons, get lost, delete stuff and try again. Friends show us how to access the internet, email, save images, share stuff, and if we are still not sure... we 'Google' it... and so much more. 5 years ago smart phones and iPads were not around. What will be developed and invented in the next 5-10 years?
It is with this premise Chilwell PS prides itself on providing students and teachers with contemporary ICT equipment to learn and teach, communicate and collaborate with. Chilwell invests significant funds in:
- infrastructure (WiFi, servers, cabling etc),
- technical support (we employ more than what the department supplies),
- hardware (computers, iPads, digital cameras, interactive whiteboards or IWB's, TV's, scanner, photocopiers, etc)
- and various software and online programs (mathletics, reading eggs, 2 simple software etc).
During the early 2000's, Chilwell invested in IWB's as another tool to engage and enhance learning. IWB's can be found in every classroom, art room, library, staffroom and the Principal's office. These are used in a variety of learning activities. A computer lab was part of the previous building that now stands where the BER Library/Lab is now. The new building which now hosts our lab consists of 30 desktop computers (lab) and 8 iPads in the library. Adjacent to this facility is the Multimedia Room which allows for chroma key (greenscreen) activities, recording, the use of a Mac and borrowing of various pieces of other equipment.
By DEECD definition, any ICT hardware over 4 years old is considered to be obsolete. Over the past 4 years the school has worked hard at updating classroom and lab computers. It has also trialed and implemented iPads (6 per classroom) initially in the junior school and then moving into all areas of the school. We have had some teachers asking families to allow their children to bring an iPad for a particular lesson or activity. This has been well supported by our community.
The senior year levels were part of the DEECD netbook trial in 2008-10. This led to 40 netbooks being used in the new teaching space above the Library. In 2014 a further 28 laptops and 24 iPads were added to the year 5/6 learning environment.
Moving forward, part of Chilwell Primary School's vision is to continue to provide contemporary digital learning devices for students. For our school to continue this vision, we will require our families to be more financially and technologically involved in our students learning. To continually turn over the current number of devices will not enable us to increase the number of devices and lower our student:device ratio.
It is with this in mind that out ICT committee would like to implement a Bring Your Own iPad (BYOi) program called
"BringIT2Chilwell" in 2015. Our ideal device is the iPad. It would be great to have the most recent iPad (iPad Air), but we understand many families will have an iPad2 or similar. We DO NOT expect families to rush out and buy a new iPad but want to provide an opportunity for your child to have an iPad with them at school that is personalised, linked to the school WiFi, setup for their Google drive account, email and used when needed.
The benefits of using an iPad begin with the minimal technical support required. A certificate to allow access to the school network will be
installed by our technicians and then the students are away! Obviously we will have policies and practices in place and consequences for unacceptable or inappropriate use. Our Year 6 ICT committee have been putting together a document that outlines consequences depending on the offence.
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.
- iPads battery life will get through the day easy (when charged)
- Staff have undertaken significant professional learning during the past 2 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 not possible before
- iPads allow staff to use SAMR & TPACK model, creating an individualised learning environment-differentiation
BringIT2Chilwell allows you to make the decision to allow your child to bring an iPad to school.
We have provided a list of FAQ's, an overview of the program and other various links to research, case studies and useful sites around
cybersafety. Please explore the website we have created and if we have forgotten anything or you think could be added, please use the 'Contact' tab and send us a message.
We hope you will support the school vision and in turn, support your child's learning and use of technology in a safe, supporting and caring environment.