iPad Program at MacKillop

At MacKillop College our aim is to continually provide the most effective and relevant learning environment for our students, providing them with the tools they require to most effectively deal with the challenges put before them throughout their Primary and Secondary education. In 2015 the College, introduced an iPad program for all students in Year 7.

Student engagement with technology for learning is not optional as it forms a vital part of a relevant and high quality education in the 21st Century. Access to digital information, tools, and resources is vital in a contemporary society where the flow of information is constant and available from a huge diversity of resources at any point in time. The impact of this access to the world of knowledge for students is enhanced engagement, understanding, and opportunity to learn. It is increasingly important that students are both savvy and experience safe learning with technology. Our students need to be able to effectively access online information and evaluate its relevance. We want them to be able to collaborate with other learners while conducting themselves with integrity, honesty and respect.

Technology must not only serve student learning now, but also support the improved understanding of student learning in the future. As a learning community, it is important to facilitate and encourage creativity, communication, flexibility, critical thinking, and collaboration throughout the teaching and learning activities at the College. This involves redefining and expanding learning opportunities beyond the traditional constraints of textbooks and teacher centred information, broadening toward learning experiences responsive to student needs, interests, and their availability in an online environment.

From 2017, the College will engage in an iPad program from Years 5- 11 which will provide all members of the school learning community, students and staff, with the opportunity to engage in personalised, rich learning opportunities in ways, and at times, previously thought impossible. Embracing digital technology in education is essential if the school is to remain culturally relevant for students and teachers. Although only a digital tool, the ownership of their own iPad will give every student instant access to the world of knowledge and global connectivity for collaboration at a variety of levels with other students, teachers and experts.

Students will become the controllers of their own learning, thus improving their participation, engagement, achievement and learning outcomes. In the same way, engagement with students having their own iPads will change not only the learning environment from traditional to personal, but enhance the relational contact between students and their teacher. The teacher will no longer be the sole source of knowledge but the director and guide of student learning. This will demand a transformation in teaching pedagogy in line with 21st Century learning theory.

Although there will be a period of transition for both students and teachers, the changes and opportunities afforded by the integration of digital technology through the iPad program will personalise learning for the students and provide teachers with opportunities to engage students in richer learning experiences.