to think that school shouldn't give laptops to Year 7s?

[mrsmootoo]

DS will be starting a new school in September and they are thinking of introducing a scheme to give all pupils laptops. I know some other schools already do this. I'm not a Luddite (he has a PS and already uses a computer for some school projects) but maybe I'm a bit old-fashioned about laptops being used in class teaching. Is it a good thing in your experience? Are there any downsides? And, important for me as someone who can touchtype, do they bother teaching them this skill?

Most of my child’s homework is set on google classroom and they submit their written homework via the internet. She also has hand written notebooks for each class, so it’s not like they don’t write a lot too. They did not teach her to type but there are online courses that do (my son learned as part of helping his manual dexterity and he’s so fast!). The school did not give them computers it was assumed we’d all get them one or they’d have access to one at home.

Absolutely vital these days.

Its pretty much a necessity these days. You won't get through school without pretty much daily access to a computer.

My sons' school ask that every pupil brings a Chromebook, notebook or similar. They started it as a pilot with one year group and expanded it to the rest of the school.

It's used in about 50% of lessons, so they still have to handwrite some stuff.

Advantages:

• Less weight to carry (all KS3 and GCSE textbooks are on kerboodle).
• No more loose pieces of paper scrumpled up at the bottom of the schoolbag.
• All work is accessible from Chromebook or school computer (no more "I left it at home")
• All work is backed up (no more "I did it but I lost it")

Disadvantages:

• Initial outlay of £200ish - we were given several months warning and the school offered financial support for certain pupils, but it's still a lot of money for most.
• Because some year groups are still using a mixture of digital and traditional materials, my Y12 sometimes finds himself trying to fit a Chromebook, an A4 folder, a pencil case and an A-level textbook on to a single school desk.

Where on earth is the money coming from to provide them?

ours has ipads from year 7. it's a nightmare getting them off it at home but they use it for everything. as as previously mentioned google classroom.

And, important for me as someone who can touchtype, do they bother teaching them this skill?

One of mine was taught touch typing at primary school as part of an intervention for his SEN. He continued to practise using free online resources.

The others type quickly but it is not true touch typing.

DD has a netbook, school requires all pupils have them.

The stuff they do on it is amazing.

Definitely a positive IMO

One local school to us give the kids ipads from year 3.

Would be a godsend for DD2 for whom we're still up against this "must do it all in handwriting" and the achievement gap between what she's capable of doing and what she's capable of recording widening to a massive gulf because of dyspraxia. This one is a constant point of disagreement between me and the school as I don't think they have the balance quite right at the moment and they just don't listen to me on it - but we shall keep on and I shall count the time till we get to an age where they're happy to let them run free on iPads and laptops to record their work (with a proper keyboard and appropriate software for the iPad before anyone starts).