Embracing the iPad generation
The new Principal at Kilgraston School has this week launched an innovative pilot project that could eventually lead to every pupil learning by using an iPad.
“Today in education we’re seeing a step change in the usefulness of technology in lessons,” said Frank Thompson who came to the Bridge of Earn school in the summer from Derbyshire. “In preparing our girls for the modern world, we want to embrace this change.”
Mr Thompson explained that the pilot project involves giving iPads initially to a small number of teachers and pupils.
“Staff need time to become familiar and confident with the devices as well as sharing good practice with their colleagues. I’m delighted to say they have responded enthusiastically to the project and are totally behind it.”
He insists the new technology will fundamentally change the way pupils learn at Kilgraston, the UK’s Independent School of the Year.
“The iPad has huge potential in the classroom because it can bring learning alive through touch, sound and vision. It can be a science lab, a history archive, an art canvas, a music studio, a library and a personal organiser.
“The iPad will help staff to engage and inspire our girls. Over the years technology has served us well – from blackboards to whiteboards and computer suites - but iPads now bring that engagement to a very personal level. Pupils can now find different ways to learn to meet their own needs plus getting the chance to explore concepts that interest them in far more depth beyond the bounds of a textbook.
“In particular, educational apps can make a huge contribution. Every teacher will be able to explore which apps will work best for their subject. With careful planning, apps can really enhance lessons. The fact that they can be instantly turned on and off means that you can get straight to what you want to do with your pupils online and just as quickly move on. It’s an incredibly time-efficient way of using technology and it can be used equally well outdoors as indoors; no more time is wasted booking the IT suite.
“For example, my daughters have an excellent astronomy app on their iPads. It’s superb for stargazing and helps you locate an almost endless amount of planets, constellations, galaxies and star clusters in the night sky. So you can actually see on the screen where the Moon is in relation to Jupiter and Pluto, and as you rotate, it rotates – that’s far more immediate, informative and fun than a textbook.”
Mr Thompson said the iPad will really come into its own in the school’s new £1m Science Centre which will open next year.
“We have a large number of girls here who are keen to study the sciences. So for example, they can use their iPads to access the periodic table of elements which comes alive to show chemical symbols, atomic numbers, electron shell configuration – even molecules in 3D.
“Our pupils need twenty-first century skills for the modern world and I believe the future of education lies in gifted, inspirational teachers and motivated students with access to tools and resources like the iPad.
“At Kilgraston, we have a reputation for being sector-leading and we intend to maintain that position by using this new technology wisely and safely.”
Our pic shows Kilgraston pupil Corina Leslie (10) from Glenfarg with her iPad.
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