What was your fondest memory when you were eleven years old? For some, it may be getting a new toy, scoring an all-time high in a difficult exam or maybe a fun fieldtrip. But for these 11-year olds in the United Kingdom, a memory they will probably name is everyone in their batch getting an iPad Mini. As part of a new learning initiative, seventh-graders enrolled at Winton for this term all get the Apple tablet.
According to Andover Advertiser UK, this is a bit of the school to integrate modern technology into the students' education. The school said that giving the device to the young students is a bid to enable them to be "independent and innovative thinkers." The move cost Winton about £6,000. The amount will be covered by the school's existing ICT budget. Thus, the parents will cover the insurance costs, and each student will be asked to pay a certain amount as well.
Ninety new students have gotten the iPad Mini, which the school hopes will be used both in the classroom setting and at home. Parents will then also be able to monitor their child's lessons and progress in school with the device, if the iPad Mini is used for studying even at home. Teachers will also be able to explore new methods of teaching using the device.
"Through our extensive pilots and work in the classroom we are certain this new learning initiative will allow the students to become independent and innovative thinkers, preparing them for the world they will enter when leaving school," said the school's principal, David Morely-David. While some studies indicate that the use of technology does little to improve the performance of students in school, the integration of modern technology into education is still seen as a way of helping students perform better academically.
In the previous months, Minecraft has made news as it is fast becoming a mainstream learning tool for students in some parts of the US. The game is said to promote creativity and innovation, as players need to think of ways and make tools to survive the Minecraft world. It is also said to help in learning math, science, writing and reading.
