Must be a thin news day again – school ipad ruins christmas!
The headlines read as “School’s iPad plan could ruin Christmas. I struggle with this, because it is not accurate or fair reporting.
If you actually look at the Orewa college website the parent do have an option of buying the product over a two year period, rather than outright – http://www.orewa.school.nz/uploaded/file/downloads/CycloneComputers.pdf but this aspect is convienently over looked. The base cost is $8.51 per week. Ruining christmas is not accurate or fair as there are a range of options available, though these are not mentioned.
The second aspect that concerns me is the comment “I’m furious. I don’t see how it is beneficial from an education standpoint. We feel bullied into this,”
There are two aspects, but both relate to communication. The benefits of the use of technologies are clear. Who in their employment is not using technology, who looking into the future can not see more technology use – as educators we need to prepare our students for not only today but also the future – part of this is the use of technology. The use of technology has been shown to be engaging for students, and engaged students work and achieve. The benefits of using these tools for communication, collaborating, analysis, evaluations and creativity are obvious. Well, I would have though so anyway.
Which brings up the second question of communication. Has this been effectively communicated to the parents and community? It is interesting that Rangitoto College is launching a similar scheme, but the media for what ever reason has not given them the same degree of scrutiny as they have for Orewa – http://www.rangitoto.school.nz/uploaded/File/Rangitoto%20College%20-%20IT%20Vision%202012_WEB.pdf </Rant>
