Post date: Apr 24, 2015 8:39:12 AM
Other reflections: The P6/7s are a composite class and only the P7s have the Chromebooks which can be difficult to manage. There is a real buzz with the instant access to technology and these needs to be channelled into learning activities. Positive Parent and Carer Feedback included that they seemed more enthusiastic about learning. The technology is creating choice and a mix, those who dislike the physical act of writing now doing both with the instant access. A windows managed device has been accessed once in two weeks, for ’Speedy Readers’ the software from Carron Practicals. Pupil's loved the Earth View app, which shows a different Google Earth image which allows them to explore where it was taken. The pupils also said that it was all very exciting.
Next steps
The pupils have received their hard shell transparent cases and are personalising them by inserting pics and designs. A Parents and Carers Drop-in session with e-safety information and to see the pupils with their Chromebooks in action. Pupils will also update this site with their own posts.
The Chromebooks in Alvie Primary School have been in place for a couple of weeks now, we also had the Easter holidays in the middle. As part of the pilot the school is visited once a week for reflection / discussion. After initial teething problems with connectivity they are all connecting without a hitch.
The pupils had answered through a group discussion some pre-pilot questions, including how they used their ICT in school. The answers were that they didn't do much, mainly using word documents and internet research. At this point they were provided with their new Chromebooks. When asked what they could use the Chromebooks for in their learning, they said writing and research. Asked what they would like to do? The answers were games of course!
The pupils then worked collaboratively in a Google Doc on the Pupil's User Agreement with the teacher explaining the importance of each point and each pupil signed it. (copy in the documentation section with names removed) The pupils were then asked again....What could they use their Chromebooks for? The answers are displayed below. They had begun to explore the possibilities!
The pupils have now begun working on their Imaginative Writing and using Google Docs with their Teacher using the comments function to provide feedback and grammar suggestions. The Teacher is now working on further collaborative docs, exploring apps such as Powtoon and Online Voice Recorder to record learning conversations which are stored in the pupils Google Drive.