The Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School

The Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School provides a nationally and internationallyrecognised specialist program for the training of talented young dancers and musicians.

She is the Assistant-Principal of VCASS.

Pupils use macbook for high-end work and they have their iPad with them throughout academic classes.

Their Platform: 1-1 ratio for iPad. Pupils have to purchase their own. There is no restriction on the use of internet sites in this school. School culture is to trust pupils with responsible use of ICT. Like many schools, they also conduct cyberwellness programs to their pupils.

Common Applications: Pages

Pupils create digital portfolio and publish their project as eBook. In this school, the teachers give the autonomy to their pupils to select the applications to suit their project and assessment. The teachers then focus on setting questions and writing lessons.

More information on the school is available at:http://www.vcass.vic.edu.au/

Acacia College

Principal of Acacia College.

Charging trolley for laptop outside of classroom. Pupils have free access when need arises and return laptop to charging trolley after use.
Teacher takes video of pupils reading and gives instant feedback.
Pre-school pupils using existing applications for learning.

Acacia College is a new school. Within a time span of 15 months, the school has implemented iPod Touch to One iPad to one class, to a class set of iPads, to 1-1 iPad trial for year 7 classes and now extended the trial to 1-1 for year 5 to year 8 classes.

The school has large size classrooms, open concept, extremely colourful and decorated with pupils' work. There are a few laptop trolleys outside of the classrooms, pupils are free to use the laptop when need arises, and to return back to the trolley to be charged when they have finished.

Their Platform: 1-1 use of iPads in their lessons. The school conducted a talk for parents and pupils on ownership of the iPads and responsibilities involved. Pupils then set up the device with the help and guidance of ICT manager. During the lessons, pupils have their iPad with them. The use of iPad, papers & pencils simultaneously is very common. Pupils have 100% access on the internet within school. There is no restriction to the sites they visit. This school has eLearning portal where teachers upload the worksheets and notes for their pupils. Pupils then access the site to download the materials, opens it in GoodReader for viewing & Pages for working.

Printing facilities: Pupils have access to the printers in school. However, most assignment are handed in soft copy. Teachers sometimes use video to give instant feedback to pupils.

The principal mentioned that they decided to reduce the use of textbooks in the next academic year, and to put in iPad as one of the item to puchase.

Measurement of success factors: The school surveyed the teachers and pupils. The teachers observed that the engagement and motivation level of the pupils have increased. The teachers mentioned that their connection and communication with pupils have also increased.

Professional Development with staff: The school has weekly PD session, using mainly Show-n-Tell and can be on any topic. School has a sharing culture.

More information on the school is available at: http://www.acaciacollege.com.au/

Albert Park College

Principal with Pupil Captains

Grade 7 pupils doing Algebra questions. They use their iPad together with textbook and papers.


This is a Wood Work lesson. After their practical lesson, they have to put their learning in steps and instructions using Pages.




Albert Park College is a new school, and has 150 pupils.
Their platform:
1-1 implementation, 100% wireless. Pupils bring their iPad home and they purchase the applications they need on their own.

Common Applications:
Perimeter2
iStudiez Pro
iHomework
Looptastic
iWeb
Frame by frame stork motion for ICT project

School is currently exploring use of iPad for Assessment. Currently, they have online quiz and they are using google docs for homework and small tests. The school conducts talks for parents and pupils on the responsible use of ICT.

Pupils' experiences:
Pupils reflected that there is now greater efficiency in getting information for projects. The novelty of owning an iPad wears off after some time as everyone in the the school has one. The distraction was only during the initial weeks and wears off quickly. If they are caught playing games in class, their iPad will be confiscated.

http://www.albertparkcollege.vic.edu.au/

Warringa Park School

Warringa Park is a school which caters for all children with an intellectual disability.

Their platform:

1-1 implementation for over 300 pupils.

1-1 for each teacher.

Pupils will bring their iPad home and they can personalise it for their learning. The school want greater support from parents thus encouraging pupils to share their work with their parents. Teachers also use voice memos for communications with parents (short announcements).

Sync-ing issues: All pupils have iTunes account for free apps. The school is fully wired via wifi. Infrastructure support is massive. ICT manager always has 10 -12 extra iPads in case of faulty device. If a pupil dropped his iPad, it can be exchanged and then re-backup. All their iPads are insured. Funding: The school has $300,000 each year on purchasing applications.

Common Applications:

Story Kit

Keynote

Popplet - for time table planning, mind-mapping and discussion

Jungle Time

First Word

Prologue-to-go

iPond

Functional Skills System

Pupils are found to be more engaged in their learning.

Individual lockers with charging wire in their lockers.

Role of iPad Coach:

Dawn does research on appropriate applications. She works alongside teachers in the area of Professional Development, planning of lessons, implementation in classes and evaluations. She will also lead tutorials and iPad shared sessions with iPad representatives from each departments. She is the liason person for collaboration with other schools and provision of feedback to Apple.

The Principal of this school is Mr Colin Schot. He believes that technology is the gateway to success. He left us with a question: Has iPad made a difference to the learning of pupils in your classroom?

http://www.warringapark.vic.edu.au/

28 May 2011

We will be leaving for Melbourne tonight. Will write after our first school visit on Monday.

Good night everyone!