Apple Education

iPads in the classroom

With the recognition that technology is transforming the work place, our intention is to move forward with specialising in using technology to enhance learning and better prepare the students for the changing world.

We have chosen iPads because Apple are the market leader in technology and iPad devices have proven themselves to be fast, slick, robust, user friendly (as most students and staff know how to use iPhones), light (and therefore more portable), and, most importantly, provide an extensive range of intuitive  apps and functions to support teaching and learning. With all students having the same device, staff are able to plan more easily, knowing that all students will have access to the same apps, and our IT team are able to support their usage centrally.  In addition, Apple pens can allow devices to be used in the manner which is familiar to many i.e. making notes, writing to do lists etc. Finally, moving to iPads for all supports our sustainability programme and our drive to become a greener academy, as the devices will cut down our paper usage.

iPads come with useful additional features such as cameras (which can support video conferencing, recording the students so they can evaluate their work and each other and the video/camera function allows students to use them widely in creative subjects). There is also an opportunity to get a pen and keyboard and therefore these devices can be used more extensively. We want to expand on the classroom beyond the four physical walls to further support with homework outside of the classroom. In addition, we want to encourage independent and student led learning, whilst encouraging collaboration through apple tools such as Keynote and Numbers.

The purpose of the iPads is to supplement and enhance the teaching and learning that is in place; not to replace it!