Thank you and congratulations...
iPad Setup night was a learning experience for all (especially some 'lifelong learning' presenters!!). The organisers wish to sincerely thank all who attended, particularly the students present who conducted themselves so well. The positive feedback from our 'outside' helpers was most enthusiastic. We know we are blessed with a wonderful community but it is always a pleasure to hear such effusive praise and appreciation expressed from our visitors. We were reminded this evening in very clear terms, just how fortunate we are to be working alongside you all.
A couple of issues clarified:
As with any new program, there will always be issues that no one has the best answer for at the outset. The safety and well-being of your children is always our most important priority when decisions must be made. Despite our best efforts to avoid confusion and to plan ahead for the smoothest way forward, there may be issues or considerations that we just have to work out or refine as we go along.
1. Apple IDs
The Apple ID is one such issue. You need an Apple ID to download apps (see Parent Handbook - Setup Guide for more information). In the previous Padwise post, "The Drum on Student Email" the final section mentions Apple IDs, advising parents to create a new, unique Apple ID for their child. For most of you, this will be the best and simplest option. When asked to enter a birth date, you will have to use your own details, or select a birth date greater than 13 years ago. But this keeps any apps, music, movies etc owned by other family members quite separate from your child's school requirements. It also ensures that messages, emails etc associated with a shared Apple ID do not find their way onto your child's iPad.
A unique Apple ID for your child is our recommendation, made after consultation and research, in the interests of supporting those who need guidance. This option is the most straightforward as it requires fewer precautions and intervention. The ultimate decision about how you manage your child's Apple ID rests with you.
Those of you who already comfortably manage multiple Apple devices in your home, may wish to use your own or a shared family Apple ID to manage your child's school apps. Again, this is entirely your decision to make. If you do use a shared Apple ID, we remind you to note the cautions mentioned about this option in the previous post "Purchasing Apps". If ever you connect your child's iPad to a family computer, you will need to ensure that settings for syncing of apps, music and other media are carefully considered.
2. Games on the iPad
Games are great. Using digital games in teaching and learning is an area of rapidly growing interest in schools around the world. At St Catherine's, we intend to use a multitude of digital games for educational purposes throughout this 1 to 1 program and in other classes throughout the school.
Games can also be an unwelcome distraction that can negatively affect your child, as well as others who work alongside them. For this reason, the Parent Handbook - Policy and Guidelines document, stipulates that:
The use of educational games can be of considerable benefit to your child's learning. However, the use of any non-requisite apps must be negotiated with the teachers. As always, the needs of your child and the rights of others sharing a learning space with your child will be considered.
Students will be shown alternative sources for apps including educational games. iTunes and the App Store are not the only nor the best place to find such apps. We will also be developing students' ability to evaluate apps, encouraging them to be critical users.
The issue of recreational games on the iPad is another area through which we need to tread gently and carefully. We understand your need to make the most of your investment. We ask that you understand our need to maintain an optimal learning environment for all of our students during school terms. Particularly in the first semester, we will be regularly inspecting iPads to monitor potentially distracting apps and data. These first months will set the tone for the entire program and help students establish sustainable behaviours and practices to maximise the benefits of the iPad as a learning tool. The iPad as a recreational gaming device has its place, as long as we keep the relevant school policy and guidelines in mind when the device is used at school.
iPad Setup night was a learning experience for all (especially some 'lifelong learning' presenters!!). The organisers wish to sincerely thank all who attended, particularly the students present who conducted themselves so well. The positive feedback from our 'outside' helpers was most enthusiastic. We know we are blessed with a wonderful community but it is always a pleasure to hear such effusive praise and appreciation expressed from our visitors. We were reminded this evening in very clear terms, just how fortunate we are to be working alongside you all.
A couple of issues clarified:
As with any new program, there will always be issues that no one has the best answer for at the outset. The safety and well-being of your children is always our most important priority when decisions must be made. Despite our best efforts to avoid confusion and to plan ahead for the smoothest way forward, there may be issues or considerations that we just have to work out or refine as we go along.
1. Apple IDs
The Apple ID is one such issue. You need an Apple ID to download apps (see Parent Handbook - Setup Guide for more information). In the previous Padwise post, "The Drum on Student Email" the final section mentions Apple IDs, advising parents to create a new, unique Apple ID for their child. For most of you, this will be the best and simplest option. When asked to enter a birth date, you will have to use your own details, or select a birth date greater than 13 years ago. But this keeps any apps, music, movies etc owned by other family members quite separate from your child's school requirements. It also ensures that messages, emails etc associated with a shared Apple ID do not find their way onto your child's iPad.
A unique Apple ID for your child is our recommendation, made after consultation and research, in the interests of supporting those who need guidance. This option is the most straightforward as it requires fewer precautions and intervention. The ultimate decision about how you manage your child's Apple ID rests with you.
Those of you who already comfortably manage multiple Apple devices in your home, may wish to use your own or a shared family Apple ID to manage your child's school apps. Again, this is entirely your decision to make. If you do use a shared Apple ID, we remind you to note the cautions mentioned about this option in the previous post "Purchasing Apps". If ever you connect your child's iPad to a family computer, you will need to ensure that settings for syncing of apps, music and other media are carefully considered.
2. Games on the iPad
Games are great. Using digital games in teaching and learning is an area of rapidly growing interest in schools around the world. At St Catherine's, we intend to use a multitude of digital games for educational purposes throughout this 1 to 1 program and in other classes throughout the school.
Games can also be an unwelcome distraction that can negatively affect your child, as well as others who work alongside them. For this reason, the Parent Handbook - Policy and Guidelines document, stipulates that:
The iPad is owned by you and of course you are free to install whatever recreational apps you deem appropriate when the iPad is used at home over weekends and holidays. During the school week, we believe that purely recreational apps will inhibit the use of the iPad as a learning tool. Such games are not to be used at any time at school, for these reasons:"Non-requisite apps or data should not inhibit the use of the iPad as a learning tool. Non-requisite apps or data on any student's iPad should not compromise learning opportunities for any other student at the school." (page xiv)
- This practice has caused innumerable problems in other 1 to 1 schools with no apparent benefits.
- Many iOS games access the school's wireless network and can compromise the speed and efficiency of our network for legitimate management or teaching and learning activities.
- Recreational apps and the associated data can also take up valuable storage space on the iPad.
- Purely recreational gaming taking place within the school environment may promote undue and overt pressures for onlookers to get involved in the latest 'must have' trending games.
- We believe that break times at school are better spent developing physical and social skills away from digital devices.
The use of educational games can be of considerable benefit to your child's learning. However, the use of any non-requisite apps must be negotiated with the teachers. As always, the needs of your child and the rights of others sharing a learning space with your child will be considered.
Students will be shown alternative sources for apps including educational games. iTunes and the App Store are not the only nor the best place to find such apps. We will also be developing students' ability to evaluate apps, encouraging them to be critical users.
--- oOo ---
The issue of recreational games on the iPad is another area through which we need to tread gently and carefully. We understand your need to make the most of your investment. We ask that you understand our need to maintain an optimal learning environment for all of our students during school terms. Particularly in the first semester, we will be regularly inspecting iPads to monitor potentially distracting apps and data. These first months will set the tone for the entire program and help students establish sustainable behaviours and practices to maximise the benefits of the iPad as a learning tool. The iPad as a recreational gaming device has its place, as long as we keep the relevant school policy and guidelines in mind when the device is used at school.
Keep your questions and comments coming!
It is of great benefit to all when these issues can be discussed and evaluated from all sides.
We always welcome your input....
