At Eimeo Road State School the iPad is a portable tool that enhances a student's learning engagement and motivation to learn when delivering the Australian Curriculum. The Australian Curriculum emphasises the significant differences inherent in learning in the 21st century. It is built around the development of a set of general capabilities: literacy, numeracy, Information Communication Technology (ICT) capability, creative and critical thinking, ethical understanding, personal and social capability, and intercultural understanding.
The most critical factor in any classroom remains the teacher, the iPad is a teaching tool. Our emphasis is on pedagogy: best practice teaching for the best outcomes for students. The iPad enables rich, personalised, high-order, collaborative and creative learning experiences. Its use enables optimal learning outcomes when used as an individual device and not shared. The iPad is used as an inclusive learning tool that enables use by all students including those with disabilities and learning difficulties. The iPad is not intended to be used for the majority of any school day, nor for the majority of teaching within a specific learning area.
The school believes that it is essential that all staff are given appropriate, ongoing professional development in how best to utilise the iPad in the context of a classroom, as well as given the opportunity to learn from each other.
The management of an iPad at home (i.e. updates, downloads, charging, accounts, etc.) reduces the time taken away from teaching and learning at school.