MILLFIELD MOBILE LEARNING PROJECT Arrangements for Pupils

Transcription

1 MILLFIELD MOBILE LEARNING PROJECT Arrangements for Pupils Millfield School has recently implemented a Mobile Learning scheme, whereby pupils are expected to use ipad tablet computers in lessons and beyond to help their learning. Consequently all pupils starting in September 2014 are required to bring a suitable ipad for use in lessons. If you are purchasing a new ipad for use at school, the minimum recommended purchase specification is ipad Air, full screen size, 32 GB. 3G connectivity is not essential as Wi-Fi is available across campus. If you already have an ipad device for your son or daughter to bring to school from September, the minimum specifications of devices accepted in the scheme will be ipad 2 32GB or above. It is worth recognising that the ipad 2 is becoming technically dated and at some stage in the near future this specification may have reduced functionality in the classroom, and you may wish to consider this when deciding your options. I am pleased to announce the availability of an online website that will enable you to purchase a range of Apple products at slightly reduced prices compared to the normal recommended retail prices. This service is provided by Stormfront, our Apple educational partner, and can be used to purchase equipment for anyone in your immediate family. You are, of course, under no obligation to use our educational partner for ipad purchases. If you do wish to use Stormfront for purchases you will need to visit their website at millfield.stormfront.co.uk and enter your unique access code, you will also be asked to enter the boarding or day house of your son/daughter. If your child is bringing their existing ipad to school, you may still use the Stormfront website to purchase warranty, insurance or other Apple accessories. Your unique access code for purchases via this service is detailed on your joining information letter ed to you from our admissions team. For any enquiries regarding use of Stormfront, our Apple partner online purchasing website, please contact Stormfront Education directly on or education@stormfront.co.uk Further details of the scheme including purchasing options, frequently asked questions and our pedagogical rationale are provided in the enclosure. The Millfield Wi-Fi infrastructure is proving to be very robust and our teaching staff have received a thorough programme of training and development in the educational use of such technology, alongside the experience of having already used this technology in teaching and learning for this academic year. If you also have children at Millfield Prep currently in Years 6 and/or 7, you will receive a similar communication from Millfield Prep containing an alternative access code and you should make any purchases and delivery as a separate transaction. If you have any other questions about the Mobile Learning Scheme, please contact the school at mobilelearning@millfieldschool.com Craig Considine Headmaster

2 Mobile Learning Project - ipad Purchasing Options All pupils are required to bring their own ipad charged and ready and available to use in all lessons. The school recommends the following specifications: If purchasing a new ipad - the minimum specification model of ipad Air or above should be selected and the device should be a classic full size screen rather than mini, as this provides a larger screen for use in learning activities. If you wish to use an ipad that you already own - a minimum specification of ipad 2 will suffice for most current educational uses, however the ipad 2 specification is becoming out-dated, and it is likely that this model will need to be replaced in the future. A minimum of 32GB of memory. 3G capability is not required at Millfield as Wi-Fi is available across campus. Your son/daughter has a protective case for their ipad. A: If you wish to purchase an ipad at a discounted price from our Apple partner: Your admissions letter detailing joining information will include a unique code that you may use to access our Apple partner Stormfront purchasing website; millfield.stormfront.co.uk. Using the code will enable you to make your ipad selection at an educationally discounted price. You can also purchase insurance, warranty and accessories etc. Prices are subject to availability and subject to change. Delivery from our Apple partner is free for orders over 40 and can be made to: any address in the United Kingdom or if your child boards at Millfield, to their boarding house address; however direct delivery to a Millfield boarding house will only be processed during the final week of the summer break Your purchase via this site will also include a free one year subscription to the personal trainer suite. B: If your son/daughter already has an ipad 2 or later specification: Your son/daughter should bring their ipad and protective cover with them for use in lessons. If you wish to purchase additional accessories, insurance, or warranty, then you can still use our Apple partner purchasing site, by entering the unique access code. Our Apple partner can only offer warranty and insurance if your existing device is less than 12 months old and this will need to be validated on the website by entering the device unique serial number when prompted. This number can be found on the back of the ipad. If your son/daughter has an ipad 2, it is likely that this will require replacement in the near future. C: If you wish to purchase an ipad elsewhere: You may wish to purchase your device and accessories elsewhere and it is recommended that you shop around to find the best value. You can still use our Apple partner website to purchase warranty, insurance and accessories if you require these.

3 Using our Apple partner purchasing website: Open the site millfield.stormfront.co.uk and you will be prompted to validate that you are a Millfield parent by entering your separately-supplied unique code and the name of the boarding/day house that your child (or one of your children) is affiliated. You will then be able to browse and make your selections. If you have more than one child or several purchases to make, you can do them all in one transaction with one access code. However if you require items to be delivered to more than one address you will need to carry out a separate transaction for each delivery address. If you have children at Millfield Prep, please follow separate Millfield Prep instructions that you receive from the prep school. Using our Apple partner purchasing website, you may only purchase items for your son/daughter or immediate family. All purchase transactions made via our Apple partner Stormfront are between you the customer and Stormfront. The prices quoted for ipad devices include an educational discount, however these prices are subject to change so please do check alternative suppliers for any of your equipment and service purchases to ensure that you are getting the best price at the time of purchase. Please contact Stormfront Education directly on , or education@stormfront.co.uk if you require any more information or assistance in using this facility. Mobile Learning Project: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 1. What about insurance and warranty? Parents may purchase a warranty and insurance policy for new devices and devices that are under 12 months old via our Apple partner, Stormfront. Parents may have sufficient existing warranty and insurance or may purchase a scheme from elsewhere. Whilst these types of cover are not compulsory, we would recommend a policy of your choice is taken out to cover theft, accidental damage and fault repairs. Most insurers will not validate a theft claim where the device hasn t been kept secure. 2. What about leasing options? The school has investigated the feasibility of offering a leasing scheme to parents. However due to the practicalities impacted by the nature of our scheme and the options that our supplier can offer; we cannot provide such a direct arrangement. If you would like to pursue a leasing option with a leasing company, a number of well-known computer suppliers and high street retailers offer such arrangements. If you would like suggestions of leasing companies to contact please mobilelearning@millfieldschool.com 3. Will all teachers be using these devices with the pupils at all times? All teachers were issued with an ipad in December 2012 and receive ongoing training to further their skills and understanding of the use of such technology in the classroom. The expectation of our teachers is that ipads will be used where appropriate in teaching and learning activities. The extent of their use will vary depending on what is being taught and the experience of the staff member. The device is a tool that should be used to aid learning where appropriate. 4. What about Internet safety?

4 The apps available on the ipad are regulated by Apple and access to the Internet via our Wi-Fi system is filtered. Even though the ipads are pupil owned, the school reserves the right to manage the devices to ensure safe and appropriate use at school. Pupils have also received a robust Safe and Acceptable IT Use policy and have received e-safety briefings in assemblies and updates to support their understanding of their responsibilities and risks online. You will be given a copy of the pupil Safe and Acceptable IT Use policy that includes rules on use of such technology in the classroom. Our Year 9 curriculum has been revised to include e-safety training and use of ipads in lessons. Houseparents have received e-safety training. 5. How will my child be taught how to use the device? Many pupils will have good skills already; the key is developing their skills to aid their learning and this is very much the focus of training that has been delivered for staff to implement through their teaching. Pupils will be given support and guidance when using their ipad in lessons, and a programme of setting up and induction will also be given. 6. What kind of apps will my son/daughter get, and who will pay? The school will provide a range of key apps (software) that pupils will receive onto their device automatically when they connect and enrol to our Wi-Fi system. The device is pupil owned and therefore they can download other apps of their own choice, though we would require that they keep enough space free on the device for school-based learning activities and school approved apps. 7. How will my son/daughter back up work? Your son/daughter will be encouraged to set up their own Apple ID on the device, and must use the i-cloud service to regularly back up important school work and device settings. In addition to this pupils will have access to an app FOLDR that will enable them to back up important coursework, videos, images etc. to the school network storage. This app will also enable pupils to retrieve files from the school network storage for use on their ipad. 8. What if my son/daughter leaves Millfield? Your son/daughter will take the device with them as it is already owned by you. We reserve the right to automatically retrieve any apps supplied by the school to be re-assigned to other pupils, though currently we do not do this. 9. How will the school ensure that the devices are secure? Pupils must understand that they need to look after their belongings. Millfield has undertaken a review of lockable storage and security. All pupils will have access to lockers and will be given the opportunity to secure a locker. The devices themselves must also be kept in a protective case to protect from accidental damage. Each pupil will be required to make identification on the device, including setting a personalised desktop image and enrolling on our MDM (Mobile Device Management) system. Pupils will also be expected to follow school guidance on ensuring that device security settings, back up and passwords are set appropriately. Pupils are encouraged to keep their device with them or lock them away at key times such as lunch.

5 10. What about power charging the devices? ipads usually hold their battery charge for the duration of a school day. Pupils will be required to charge the devices during the evening/night and bring them to school fully charged. The nature of charging an ipad is very similar to charging a mobile phone. We would recommend that pupils keep their charging cables labelled and safe in their boarding rooms or at home if they are a day pupil. 11. What if my child has a laptop already? Laptops can still be used by the pupil in the boarding house/at home and many pupils will wish to have use of such a device, particularly for extensive word processing. There will still be PC and Mac computers in key classroom areas where the curriculum demands this. For all other classroom learning activities Millfield will only support the ipad device as the in-class tool for learning. 12. Contact/further information If you have any specific questions not covered in this document, please contact: mobilelearning@millfieldschool.com Pedagogical rationale of the scheme Introduction Millfield has embarked on a Mobile Learning scheme to embrace the use of wireless connected mobile tablet computers in teaching and learning. The following provides an outline of the scheme and how it has been implemented. How can this help teaching and learning? Like many independent schools, Millfield has traditionally used a pooled room method of Information & Communication Technology (ICT) in teaching whereby a teacher would book a room with a suite of PCs in advance and pupils would use this teacher-directed lesson to research or write up coursework. Mobile Learning is defined as pupils and teachers taking a mobile computer device with them to lessons and having full connectivity to the Internet and ICT tools to aid learning. This project aims to put the opportunities that Internet-connected tablet computers can provide in the hands of all pupils and teachers at the point of need to aid the learning process. Our key pedagogical goals: Independent learning Digital literacy Flexible progression Mobile Learning Pedagogical opportunities Creativity Collaboration Innovation

6 The educational benefits of using mobile tablet devices in learning include: Pupils having instant access to the vast array of information on the Internet, digital texts and e-books to support their research and understanding of topics, in all lessons and subjects Pupils using the devices to be able to take notes, pictures, scan documents, create videos and record voice Pupils being able to enhance their creative skills and develop key business and digital literacy skills for university and their future careers Pupils can project their work wirelessly from the device onto the teacher screen Pupils using the devices to aid independent learning pupils finding things out for themselves and working at their own pace Enabling pupils to have the ICT tools to support learning in all subjects at the point of need Pupils using the devices to organise their work, record prep and manage their communication and diary Pupils and teachers collaborating with each other, being able to submit work and receive feedback digitally via the ipad. Pupils accessing resources at all times and continue their learning outside of the classroom Background to the project Millfield has made significant investment to its IT network with the installation of a robust, unified campuswide Wi-Fi system and increased bandwidth from devices through to the Internet. Wi-Fi has been installed that will specifically meet the future demands and capacity of our school to support our mobile learning device project. What has Millfield been doing to prepare for this? As well as a fully updated network infrastructure, an established programme of staff development has been implemented. Teachers have received pedagogical training and guidance to equip them with skills and understanding regarding the effective use of ipads in teaching and learning, our staff also has the benefit of working with pupils with this technology for a full academic year. It is recognised that teachers and pupils will develop their skills at different rates, and it will take some time before this technology is fully embedded and the full range of educational opportunities are realised. Why this technology? The ipad is very suited to providing an extensive range of tools and opportunities to support our pedagogical aims, which include collaboration, independent learning, flexible progression, creativity, innovation, and critical thinking. There are a range of technologies that could be beneficial in such a scheme, however after research and a rigorous selection process, Millfield decided to adopt a single platform approach to mobile learning that will use the Apple ios system and the mobile device that all teachers and pupils are supported in using during teaching and learning is the ipad. The ipad device is already owned by many of our pupils; it is lightweight, has reliable software, high quality screen, can be switched on almost instantly and has a vast range of tools that can be beneficial in an educational context.