ABCs and iPads in SA schools

In SA there are currently 100 public and private schools using iPads in the classroom. This is according to local distributor of Apple products, Core Group.

At a special event held in Sandton yesterday, Core demonstrated the different models being used by local schools to integrate the iPad into the classroom. Core spokesperson Taryn Hyam says globally there are already over 1.5 million iPads being used in education institutions and 1 000 “One2One” implementations in which every learner or student in that learning environment has an iPad. “It's changing the classroom,” says Hyam.

“In the SA context, there are obviously different challenges and we have been looking at how to best implement this in the local education environment.” Core has partnered with educational solutions company Think Ahead, to assist with iPad implementation in local schools.

Think Ahead MD Michelle Lissoos says teachers are facing the challenge of making education exciting for a new generation of learners who have a modern, digital lifestyle filled with gadgets.

“The new generation of learners expect the integration of digital tools that accommodate their mobile lifestyles and which can adapt to their individual learning styles,” says Lissoos.

Speaking of the iPad, Lissoos says: “In all my years of doing this, I have never seen a technology take on so easily among learners.” Lissoos adds that the release of the iBook Author application has also allowed teachers to begin creating their own digital worksheets and textbooks.

“We are often asked if the use of digital tools like the iPad actually discourages reading, but we are seeing the opposite. In fact, there is an increased interest in reading as learners are actually excited to sit with an iPad and engage in digital storytelling,” says Lissoos

“Teachers are also noticing significant behavioural shifts in their learners such as increased attendance, motivation, engagement and involvement.”

There are a number of different implementations and strategies being used by the so-called “iPad schools” in SA, which all have different funding models. These range from sponsored programmes, to governing body funding and self-funding.

In private schools, such as Redhill Preparatory School, the iPad has been made a basic stationery requirement for learners in Grade 7. According to the school, the aim is to have every child equipped with an iPad by 2014.

The iSchool Africa Peermont School Support Programme (PSSP) has to date integrated 800 iPads into its 27 participating public schools. The focus of the programme is to improve numeracy and literacy, and increase class engagement and participation of learners.

PSSP uses the “mobile lab” solution, which includes 10 iPads in a single carry case that can be taken into classrooms. PSSP convenor, Clifford Elk, says the iPad mobile labs offer schools more flexibility in the way ICT is integrated into learning and teaching.

“School management has the ability to allocate the labs where they can be used best and move them from classroom to classroom. The investment is 'in best of breed' equipment and support for schools and not in furniture and security,” says Elk.

Special needs school in Johannesburg, the Key School, has also started using the iPad in its classrooms and in therapy sessions. Serving 30 children with autism, the school allows learners to use iPads individually or in groups. Principal of the Key School, Dr Jenni Gous, says, with certain children at the school, she has never seen such significant behavioural changes in such a short space of time.

“iPads can act as a substitute for dedicated communication devices (for example, the Liberator, which is a similar device that is used by Stephen Hawking to communicate), which are very expensive, need to be imported and require specialised technicians to repair,” says Gous, adding that iPads are readily available and can be used by children of all ages.

At Sacred Heart College, in Johannesburg, Grade 7 learners have already started learning how to develop apps for their iPads in their technology class. Head of Sacred Heart College, Colin Northmore, says the reason for the project is that the school believes it is not enough for learners to simply be users of technology.

“They need to develop the ability to create content for that technology in order to truly understand it. Once they can fully understand how an iPad works, they can begin to use it in ways we did not even think possible,” says Northmore.