As a Parent of an iPad user at Bishops, I need to…
- Discuss care of the iPad
- Engage with my son about his iPad usage
- Limit screen time
- Manage home Internet use
- Know my son’s password but respect his privacy
- Check my son brings a working, fully charged iPad with at least 3GB of available space to school every day
- Ensure he has the school prescribed apps (updated)
LETTER from GREG BROWN
Dear Parents
Bishops Prep launched a One-to-One iPad Programme in 2016 for Grade 4 to 7 learners. This programme is about learning, not technology, and encourages learners to develop 21st century skills. Using technology in addition to traditional classroom practice encourages active thinking, collaboration, creativity and communication. It enhances learning and enables exciting and innovative teaching. A great deal of professional development has taken place with regular reviewing of advantages and difficulties.
Our action research revealed that the appropriate and useful employment of technology has been both motivational and productive for our learners. Boys need to engage and participate actively in their learning. Many boys gravitate to technology, often becoming quite obsessed. To use technology in an integrated and hands on way is to harness this “natural” interest. As an educational tool the iPad can enhance and render learning more meaningful and authentic. More and more, schools no longer simply provide information but teach boys how to select, interpret, compare and work with the wealth of information that exists in so many different forms. Mobile technology provides easy access to resources and is an indispensable tool. Our boys also need to learn digital integrity, the same values that apply to any life situation, but are so often forgotten in the online world.
Writing, discussing, role playing and listening remain as important as ever. However, integrating technology makes learning and teaching possible in ways that weren’t possible before. We aim to use the iPad as an educational tool to equip our boys for success and adaptation in the technology-rich world of the 21st century. This does not mean that the iPad will be used in every lesson, every day, but it does mean that the iPad will be used when appropriate and when its use can add value.
The iPad’s attraction is its ease of use. They are “instantly on”. Technology-integrated learning and teaching can take place in the classroom, immediately and when appropriate, without needing to move the boys to a computer room or boot up a traditional computer. Other positives are: iPads are small, light and portable and their charge can last a school day. They can take pictures, record voice and take videos. They can connect to the Bishops’ network and to our academic intranet thus allowing boys access to internet, school email, Office 365 and their online curricula and other recommended resources. It is important to remember that iPads are not computers. There will still be times when it is appropriate for boys to use our computer room. However, we can in class make use of iPads to word process, work with pictures and create spread sheets, presentations and videos.
Security, personal control and rules of usage are all very important. Please read our Pupil Protocol to which each learner will have to adhere. We have engaged extensively with other schools in Cape Town, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, not only about educational integration but also about the essential management of classroom technology. Our code of conduct aims to get the boys’ buy in to what we intend to be an innovative and exciting learning and teaching experience. From time to time, boys will break the rules and push the boundaries and, as in any other situation, there will be consequences.
Please click here to view our recommended minimum iPad specification. Digicape is our preferred supplier as they structure educational packages specifically for Bishops which include hardware, loan units and support. Here for their 2018 offering.
Our iPad Programme is about learning and teaching. To prevent the iPad Programme from becoming ‘gimmicky’ or overwhelming boys and teachers, and to contain expenses, Bishops has limited the number of apps we use. A list of grade specific, essential apps is available on the under the School APPs menu. The majority of these APPs are free. Parents are responsible for purchasing and installing these apps. The school will continue to purchase the site licenses for our academic software and this will continue to be billed annually to your school account.
This is an exciting development in learning and teaching at Bishops.
Kind regards
GREG BROWN
Headmaster