Why iPads in Year 4? (Part 2)

Welcome to the final school term, which always feels like the fastest!

This week we continue our responses to Frequently Asked Questions about next year's program, to clarify for current Year 3 parents why your children need iPads for school next year...

(If you haven't yet read the previous FAQs post, you'll find it here)

Why iPads, not laptops or another tablet?

As we discussed at the parent meeting, iPads provide all necessary functions for primary students at around half the price of a laptop. iPads are more compact and lighter than a laptop and therefore more mobile for smaller primary students. With no hinged screen, iPads are more robust than laptops. The iPad camera is more versatile than a laptop’s as it can be easily carried around and aimed at the subject. The screen on a flat tablet device facilitates collaboration more readily than a hinged laptop screen.

Will the students use the iPads too much?

The iPad will complement the existing school curriculum by providing an appropriate digital learning tool in balance with traditional learning tools. Curriculum goals are supported, not supplanted, by the use of 1 to 1 devices. Students will use their iPads when appropriate, where they serve a real purpose, for instance, in research, record keeping, data analysis and creating presentations. They will not be using them for extended periods on any given day. There may be days occasionally when students may not need to use them at all. Digital health and wellness is part of our digital citizenship program so students learn about appropriate posture and the importance to eye health of regular breaks during screen use.

With their own personal device, students will be able to access their school files, tools and projects at home and be able to easily collaborate with their teacher and their peers on various projects.

How will Year 4 classrooms look different in 2015?

This is a difficult question to answer before the teaching team has had a chance to meet and plan for their 2015 school year. We know you will see some new classroom furniture, to suit more contemporary and individualised styles of learning. The video below (duration 11 mins) will give you some idea of the changes from the perspective of current Year 5 and 6 students. 

You might like to take a stroll past the current year 5 and 6 classrooms to see for yourself how they look. Learning continues, as stipulated by our national Australian Curriculum, but different teaching teams take different approaches to suit their own teaching styles and the needs of their students. Year 4 next year may look similar to either of these current models, or it may be slightly different again.

As always, your child will have one "home group" teacher who meets the pastoral care needs of their class, manages classroom administration, collates data on achievement and academic progress and prepares school reports.

When year level teaching teams work closely together, sharing planning, teaching and classroom spaces, your child benefits from positive relationships with more teachers and can benefit from a wider range of teaching strengths. All students across the year level cover the same curriculum at the same time and are exposed to the same learning opportunities. A collaborative approach to year level teaching can more effectively cater for diverse learning needs. If your child either struggles or needs extension in particular areas, they may join a smaller group for specialised activities.

As always, if you have any questions or require further information, please contact Maria (email mmead[insert 'at' sign here]bne.catholic.edu.au) or Paul (email pleeson[insert 'at' sign here]bne.catholic.edu.au).