iPads in Glasgow Schools

[Fantababy]

I've been reading that Glasgow are to issue all school pupils from P6 upwards with iPads. Anyone else heard this? I wonder how they're affording it, given the cuts in teacher numbers, budgets etc. It doesn't seem a very sensible budgeting priority.

www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/17271078.glasgow-schools-digital-strategy-to-see-54000-ipads-for-school-pupils/

Its not about Computer skills (I mean who tlks about those now - we no longer have "computers") this is about technology skills everyone needs access to these for banking, shopping, GP appts and more and it is only going to increase - even tax and benefits rely on access to phones as a minimum and really need more than that to do job apps etc.

I do think from an older age say 8 or 9 this is now necessary - in terms of access to things shouldnt be looking at things will be tied down pretty tight, with access limited to specific sites.

Bitesize is used as a revision tool most of the time but it is a phenomenal tool for most kids and teachers. I do feel teaching is being dumbed down to some extent though so there does need to be a balance - often teaching should be about the whole child not just presenting the information - anyone or thing can do that, its dealing with issues for the child, where there are SEN (high or lower) and desgining learning programmes and doing feedback for kids or parents.

I don't think access for the right reasons is a bad thing - I think we need to have a care its not too young, we need to make sure that access issues are addressed and as for retrofitting for WIFI - really?? Not sure that will be a massive issue to be honest.

From what I recall (no longer involved with the school but I remember some of the preliminary discussions), the iPads are locked down so that inappropriate content can't be accessed, let alone downloaded. But even though the value of the iPads is diminished because they have been so tightly restricted, some of your concerns are the same as ones the teachers themselves had, which is why it has taken the school longer to roll it out than they'd initially anticipated.

But iirc, there were also savings to be made, eg on photocopying (which can cost schools a lot ).

But one of the things that the iPads do do is equalise access to education (so it's not just the middle class kids who get to use a computer at home). However, one of the things that the school identified was potentially lack of access to the internet at home - so therefore the inability to upload homework - so had to/is trying to work out ways for those pupils to have access (whether that is through extra library time at the school or elsewhere).

It's a modern day equivalent of ensuring access to books at home. There are households that have no books at home - which means that those kids are at an immediate disadvantage In the modern world, understanding/being able to use tech is also a necessary skill.

It's a pilot, so it will be interesting to see the results.

this is about technology skills everyone needs access to these for banking, shopping, GP appts and more and it is only going to increase

I think most modern children have those. Very few won't have access to a tablet at home and quite frankly, the rest of us managed to pick this up as adults! I definitely read a line about developing the digital workforce- buy a shitload of Raspberry Pis and train the relevant teachers to teach the kids how to use them.

in terms of access to things shouldnt be looking at things will be tied down pretty tight, with access limited to specific sites
Does the technology exist to block sites when the child takes the iPad home and connects it to their own WiFi though? As a parent, this is a big concern of mine. My child's classmates already seem to access a lot of what I find inappropriate- mainly horror movies atm but it's bad enough through word of mouth.

If there are issues with teachers (and just finding one willing to stick it out seems to be a challenge atm) then all that money should be put into developing teacher knowledge and skills, as well as supporting the children who don't speak English or who have additional needs.

I completely acknowledge the need for a school to have a set of iPads but I really am against handing them out to P6s and P7s.

But one of the things that the iPads do do is equalise access to education (so it's not just the middle class kids who get to use a computer at home)

I find this argument interesting because I feel like it's addressing the outward signs of poverty without actually looking at the deeper causes and problems- so, as you mentioned, if the child's family can't afford an iPad, will they have WiFi? Is there the risk that the iPad is stolen/sold/damaged in a chaotic household? Does an iPad in P6/7 have the potential to overcome nine or ten years of deprivation?

I think GCC could have done amazing things with £399 million.

Bitesize is a great resource, a great resource for pupils to help with revision etc. imo it shouldn't be the only option given to a child who wants to learn/be in school but who has missed a lot of school due to complex health issues and with a very engaged parent who is coming in to ask for support and work for a child that now looks like he will leave school with nothing in terms of exams, leaving them struggling to access apprenticeships or college. Seems they are waiting until DC turns 16 and they can wash their hands. It's really not good enough and you wonder what happens to the DC without an engaged parent :(

There are really some major issues with our education system that I don't think will be solved by throwing ipads or chromebooks at it.

Our school doesn't allow social media on the iPads. And if it's flagged up they are able to lock down the iPad which needs the school technician to reset it. Happened to one of DD's friends last year. She got a lecture about following the rules as per the home school contract.

I suspect the cost of the iPad will be passed by removal of photocopying costs in the first year.

This school Notre Dame where the first school In my area to be given them to test, apparently they are working successfully as I have friends that have just left this school or who know people there @Fantababy

Our school PTA (primary) raised thousands of pounds to buy 30 iPads - the teachers weren't asked what they wanted they money spent on as it certainly wouldn't be iPads.

They now sit in a trolley and are supposed to be timetabled for each class. This would be a complete nightmare for infant classes so they are rarely, if ever, used.

That's good news if it's been a success so far but hopefully the positives AND the negatives from the pilot will be acknowledged and dealt with as I certainly have concerns about my child spending a significant proportion of the school day staring at a screen.

My Dd started high school in 2012 and was given a toshiba tablet. In 3rd year it was changed to a mini iPad. It gave every pupil access to the internet in school to allow equality in a deprived school (although where we live isn't deprived, most of the catchment is.) Dd used hers a lot for writing her essays etc.

Ds wasn't offered one until 3/4th year where he didn't take it up. He took it up in 5th year and got a full sized iPad. He chose to get it as it helped in a few of the subjects he was doing.

At least they aren’t in East Ren where a school forked out for VR headsets.

Total utter waste of money. Limited educational value.

Yes i remember reading about the VR headsets and thinking what a crock of poop idea that was, not to mention a colossal waste of money.

I just wish the teachers (who are actually the people who will be working with these things) were actually consulted once in a while.

Scot here, but living abroad.
DS has been using a Samsung tablet for 2 years now. He's in senior school.
We had to buy our own. £800.
I hate the damn thing. Kids are obsessed. Mainly because they can game at break times.
They are not taught to touch type. And most cannot write an essay with a pen. On the odd occasion I've been in school, I've seen kids gaming in class.

I don't believe that kids achieve the same depth of learning by only reading what goes up online. They need to write it down too and that's not really happened.

Keyboards get broken, screens cracked and the pens go missing. Costs a fortune.

Yes it should be an accessory for learning but not the only mode of learning.

Interestingly the female teachers hate them, but the male teachers love them. DH's old school has actually got rid of them.

Kids are also expected to have smartphones for field trips so they can photograph when out and about and upload onto Apps.

It's awful.