At Northcote Primary School, our focus is to provide tools and resources to the 21st-Century Learner. Students have access to laptops and iPads within their classrooms, with Hover Cams and digital cameras also available for use in each classroom. Each Learning Space also has access to an interactive whiteboard or tv screen to support learning and engagement.
Students are taught how to be responsible digital citizens, practice touch typing, explore how to research using the internet and evaluate sources and basic computer skills. Critical literacy skills are important and older students spend time analysing information for accuracy and reliability. Basic Word, Excel and document management skills are also taught to students as they progress through the school. ?The Prep to Year 2 classrooms have access to banks of iPads so that small skills-focussed workshops can teach the basic computer skills required for students to effectively use this technology.
We are currently part way through our BYOD implementation and the program will, in the coming years, be available to all students in Grades 3 to 6. A successful BYOD program requires technology to be seamlessly integrated throughout the school’s curriculum.
The individual use of personal devices is a way to empower students to work to their full potential and develop essential learning habits with the support of digital tools.