Teaching and Learning

Junior School

Technology Services & Facilities

Junior School

Irene Louden
ILT Education Specialist
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Junior School

Brad TyrrellDecember 13, 2018May 9, 2022

The use of digital devices in the classroom forms an integral part of the digital age in which we live and are an increasingly important aspect of education for our students. Scotch College Junior School endeavours to provide unique learning experiences for our students in order to deliver rigorous, authentic and transformative learning experiences.

The implementation of Apple iPads throughout the Junior School has encouraged an important shift in teaching and learning practices which are continuously evolving with new and improved technological innovations.  Students and teachers co-learn in collaborative environments using their iPad as the tool to develop the skills to succeed in an ever-changing environment.

Scotch College Junior School is committed to providing digital learning experiences which are age-appropriate through staged introduction of devices.  This allows opportunities to build upon knowledge and understanding about the practical use of devices, balance and well-being, online safety and creativity. In our Early Years, students are introduced to digital learning devices which support learning through the use of small classroom sets of iPads which can be used for group work or individual learning experiences.  Year 1 and Year 2 students begin to develop their independence in the use of individually assigned iPads and work specifically with apps identified as core to the learning experience of the classroom.  In Years 3 to 5, students begin to develop agency in their use of their own iPad, building upon prior knowledge and understandings and developing skills of connection and collaboration afforded through the learning platforms within each class.

With all aspects of the Junior School technology integration programme, support and assistance is provided to families with information evenings, special guest presentations and access to dedicated teachers who strive to ensure your son is ready for a technology-rich world in which he will live.

FAQs

Why iPads in the Junior School?

The development of the iPad programme in the Junior School classrooms has seen an increased focus on using the iPad as a creation device, as opposed to content-consumption device.

Teachers provide opportunities for the students to choose the way they demonstrate their understanding of concepts. During activities, students can choose the iPad tool (app) that suits the purpose of the activity such as creating and editing movies, brainstorming knowledge through mind-mapping apps, creating multimodal presentations and generating infographics and collages to demonstrate understanding.

Accessibility features on the iPad allow options for tailoring the device to suit the specific needs of the individual child.  Vision, mobility, hearing and cognitive options can be modified on each device to enhance and personalise the device to cater for specific learning needs.

Transformative use of iPads allow students the opportunity for:

  • increased independence and self-initiated learning
  • creative opportunities
  • mobility of device for use in various locations beyond the classroom
  • increased student motivation and active engagement in learning
  • improved teacher capacity to plan for and meet individual student needs

In order to provide timely technical support, the students have assistance from Scotch College Tech Centre between 8:15am and 3:30pm.

What devices are used in the Junior School?

Students in Kindy and PrePrimary have access to iPads dependent on activity.

Students in Year 1 and 2 have access to an iPad.  There are a class set of iPad Crayons which can be used dependent on activity.

Students in Year 3 and 4 are provided with an iPad 3 and Apple Pencil (Gen 1).

Students in Year 5 are provided with an iPad 4 and Apple Pencil (Gen 2).

Students have their device for a period of approximately two years before the device is swapped.

How are the iPads used in the Early Learning Centre?

In the ELC, children use digital devices when relevant to the learning program. Teachers design learning experiences which may involve small group learning of specific skills or as part of discovery centres where students can use the video or audio features of the iPad for recording.  The iPads are also used at Bush school to capture video and pictures of the children’s learning.

The ELC teachers use a digital portfolio tool called Seesaw to capture and share what is happening in the Kindy and Pre-Primary classrooms. Seesaw allows students and teachers to share learning experiences with their families. Posts to Seesaw can include photos, videos and collages, which can be great conversations starters. Popular posts have included Bush school photos, slow motion videos of STEM experiences, and the French ‘Welcome/Hello’ song.

The iPads are also used in the ELC for the Early Learning Languages Australia (ELLA)  programme.  ELLA is a digital, play-based language learning program for children in preschool.  It helps children to become more comfortable with another language early in life so that they can stay engaged with learning languages in later years.

Which apps and platforms are used in Year 1 to Year 5?

All Junior School students use Seesaw to share their learning journey with their families. Posts to Seesaw can include photos, videos and collages.

The Junior School iPads have a few key “creationary” apps that are used often so the boys can choose the tool to best show their understanding. The focus from Y1 to Y5 is the introduction of the Apple suite of apps: Pages, Keynote, GarageBand, iMovie, Numbers and Clips.

Year 3 and 4 students use Showbie as a platform for distribution of work.  This assists students in these year groups with beginning to understand digital filing systems and the download and upload of work.

Year 5 students use Apple Classwork and Microsoft OneNote as their platforms for distribution of work and online collaboration with teachers and peers.  Students build upon their knowledge of understanding digital filing systems and have more agency in the construction of filing systems that work for their self-management and organisational skills.

Will my child learn to type?

Learning how to type and recognising keyboard functions have become a key essential skill in using digital technologies for education.  Students in Years 1 and 2 begin to learn typing skills through recognition of placement of letters on the keyboard through app activity.  From Year 3 to Year 8, students work through a progression of lessons with a focus on correct finger placement, speed and accuracy.  

Scotch College learning programs have been designed for the iPad using the onboard keyboard and do not require the students to have a standalone keyboard or mouse for the learning requirements in the Junior or Middle School. 

Students are welcome to provide an external Bluetooth keyboard and/or mouse for use with their iPad.  It is important to note that students will be encouraged to utilise both keyboards.  Any malfunctions or issues with home-provided equipment will need to be resolved privately. Any Keyboard that attaches to the iPad and causes the removal of the provided case must still maintain the same level of protection. The image below would not be acceptable as a protection if the edge of the iPad is uncovered.

 

Can my son add apps to his iPad?

The Scotch iPads are managed devices, meaning that only the teachers choose the apps they wish the boys to have on their devices. These apps are pushed to the school device when they come onto the school wireless network. This means that the iPads all have the same number of apps and importantly all the apps are teacher approved and age appropriate.

What can I see on my son’s iPad?

The iPad is a window into your son’s classroom – the camera roll will have photo and video evidence he has taken of his work and his learning. Apps such as Keynote and Popplet will have brainstorms, explanations and presentations for families to unpack with their child.

When the boys take their iPad home each night, parents have a window into their son’s classroom. With apps such as Showbie, Classroom and OneNote, parents can see the inquiries, activities and assessments their sons have been working on during the week.

Is there any coding in the curriculum?

There are a variety of opportunities for students to be involved in the Design and Technologies curriculum from Kindy through to Year 5.  Through units of inquiry, students consider real-world problems and solutions and use a design thinking model to create solutions.  Students utilise a variety of apps and equipment which encourage design thinking and coding skills from basics to advanced understanding.  The students have the opportunity to build code into their everyday lives and learn progressively more difficult skills to begin to use their code to design and build machines that can provide authentic solutions.

 

Managing iPads at Home

The availability of screens and devices are very much part of the home and educational landscape in this current climate.  It is of high importance that regular discussions take place as a family about appropriate use of technology at home and at school.  Discussing key issues and expectations as a family and creating a Family Agreement is a helpful first step in establishing routines and boundaries at home.

Here are some suggestions for discussing technologies at home:

  • Where can devices be used in our home?
  • Which areas are Tech Free Zones?
  • Where is our central charging area and what time are devices expected to be plugged in at the end of the day?
  • When are our digital blackouts?
    • Meal times
    • Family gatherings
    • Sleepovers
    • Friends visiting
  • What are our devices used for?
    • Educational expectations
    • Leisure expectations
    • Social media expectations
  • What is important about privacy and sharing?
  • What is our strategy if we come across anything inappropriate or anything that makes us uncomfortable?
  • What are the consequences for breaking the agreement?

Helpful Websites:

  • eSafety for Parents
  • Common Sense Media
  • Raising Children
  • PLCScotch Cyber Safety Hub

Contact

Irene Louden
ILT Education Specialist
Irene.Louden@scotch.wa.edu.au
  • Last Updated: December 13, 2018May 9, 2022
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