FAQs

After looking around at various trials around the world with Netbooks (small laptops), iPads and other devices such as the iPod touch, we have come to the conclusion that the iPad is the most suitable machine. One of the main reasons is battery life - 10 hours, compared to maybe 5 hours from a Netbook which reduces very quickly after 6-12 months to about 2 or 3 hours. Also there is the massive advantage of the applications (Apps) that iPads offer and which can be downloaded from iTunes. The educational advantages and student engagement from some of these Apps is impressive. Why an iPad ** But I have just gone out and bought my son or daughter a Netbook – I have just spent $500 on that device, now you are telling me I have to buy an iPad as well? ** No, certainly not. The Netbook is great, and your son or daughter will be able to use that on the school network, producing, creating knowledge, reordering knowledge with no problems at all in much the same way as anybody with an iPad would. The only difference is that they will not have the educational applications. The teacher will have an iPad, the Apps will be projected up to the data projector, students will be able to access similar sites, but not use the interactive Apps through the internet.
 * Why the iPad? **

** So you are allowed to have laptops at school now? What's the difference? ** The difference is we need to leverage the advantages of technology for teaching and learning. Students need one to one access with a computing device such as an iPad. Currently not many students bring laptops to school, therefore teachers are teaching in much the same way as they have always taught. Chalk and Talk may be a little bit digitised up on the data projector for example – a little bit of work on Ultranet. When asked, teachers say why would I do anything different – only 5 or 6 students in my class bring laptops to school. Likewise, when we asked the students why don’t you bring a computer to school, the answer was, why would we– no point, teachers don't do anything different, they still give us handouts, it is still written down on paper, and they still want us to hand in written work on paper. Fair call – it's a chicken and egg. We have to break that cycle. Both parties would gladly move to a more IT rich environment of learning but we have to get the one to one situation started. ** What about security? My son or daughter will break their iPad, drop it/ lose it – someone will steal it – it's going to cost me a fortune. ** We would hope most people would look after their expensive electronic equipment like they do with their phones. They look after it and they keep it safe. Part of learning in life. Part of when we grow up, we will be given expensive bits of equipment, and it is up to us to look after it. I vividly remember getting my first calculator – an old light emitting diode machine worth $110 in 1976. Money that my parents couldn't afford. Basically threatened with my life if I damaged or lost it. I have to respect that I had to look after it. That is part of learning, part of life. Experience from Wellington High School Epson Girls and Kuranui College in the Wairarapa has been that security and care has not been the issue that all thought it would be. In addition to that, there will be depositories around the school where students can hand their iPad in and it will be locked away in a safe place to be retrieved after lunch, after interval or after their Phys Ed lessons. We would advise parents to purchase a suitable protective cover. There is a free App that will track the iPad if lost or stolen. ** What about NCEA exams and writing with pen and paper for 3 hours? **

Of course the physical act of writing will still be part of teaching and learning at Orewa College. For parts of lessons units of work, assignments or tests, students will be required to physically write. However what is important is the quality of the students thinking and the use of one to 1 computer devices has shown (esp in Boys) to improve the quality of thinking and writing.(electronically) That is students will type something up and are more likely to review and change their writing and thinking if it is in electronic format. So if we are teaching the students to think better in their heads, through this rewrite process on a electronic device, when eventually it comes to a three hour exam the physical act of writing that has been practiced will be supplemented by clearer and more concise thinking ** What about brain damage or health issues with wireless technology? **

With the use of notebooks within the College we are constantly aware of both the ergonomic and environmental issues that may arise with their use. We are constantly monitoring the standards issued by the agencies concerned with wireless technology and are in contact with similar schools within New Zealand who also use Wi-fi in the classroom environment. The College wireless infrastructure is designed so that all AP’s in the classroom are more then 2 metres from any student or staff member and the output of each devices’ output has been lowered for more effective use within each learning centre. The lowering of the output also reduces the wi-fi emissions from each device. The National Radiation Laboratory has carried out tests that showed “extremely low exposures of radiation from Wi-Fi”. Mr. Gledhill from the NRL also stated recently that “typically we are looking at about a thousandth of one per cent of the limit recommended for the public”. The College is aware of the recent reports from the BBC and questions have been raised both here in New Zealand and in the UK about the recent scientific procedures followed during their report.

** What about battery life? These are sealed units and the battery can’t be replaced. ** Yes it can just not by you. You can get them replaced at your apple dealer. The battery lasts 10 hours on one charge and is rated for 1000 full cycles that is 1000 full charges. It is a little complicated how all this works but that is usually AT LEAST 3 years of good operational use. After that the battery time that you get out of a full charge will deteriorate but still be useable. Our advice and observation and search of the literature shows this to be far better than a netbook. ** What about the security of my work? ** Your son or daughter’s work will live on their iPad just like a netbook. An application called Drop Box (free) is another method on which to store information in “the cloud”. Joining Google docs is another way of storing information. ** Is there a danger that emphasis may shift from the basics of the “Three Rs” to this flash harry digital floss? **

No using ICT and 1:1 technology enhances learning if used wisely and well. Good teaching using the best tools at hand is what we are about. Yes the way our teachers teach will need to shift a little and the way our students learn will need to shift a little but in general the technology will enhance learning as it does now in the school the problem is that demand greatly exceeds access. ** Will I still need a calculator? **

The calculator scenario is similar. Schools used to provide class sets of calculators. This became unsustainable and students now own their own. The iPad has a free calculator app, or various calculator apps that can be purchased including a graphics calculator. The cost of an app is considerably less than the cost of a real device.

** How much do the Apps cost? **

The students will be required to purchase some predetermined apps for each subject as well as some core apps. In some cases those apps will be free in others there will be a cost. This cost is off set by the fact some subjects are already saying students will not have to purchase homework books or text books (not all) but certainly not as many exercise books. ** What about upgrades? Will I need another better model in 2 years? **

No, it is the same as any technology; once you purchase it then something better will always be around the corner. But the operating system will remain useable, the battery, the apps and the connectivity to the internet all will remain useable. There may be one or two improvements in newer version but the model you buy will be fine. ** So you have convinced me, I have to buy an iPad for my children but I can't afford $800. How am I going to do that? ** Options are available. > > ** I want to get an iPad now, how do I do it? **
 * You either go out and buy it from Noel Leeming, Harvey Norman or some such supplier – expensive outlay right at the start
 * Start saving now so that you buy the machine maybe later in the year for a Christmas or Birthday present in December or January – you have started saving.
 * You may want to use the ability of your credit card in which case you are paying approx 19% on some sort of credit card limit.
 * Harvey Norman, Noel Leeming and other companies offer flexi rent where you own the machine, but again you are paying a very high interest rate – 25%.
 * The school may also offer you the option of leasing the equipment, sort of through the school, but through our leasing company, our finance company Equico at a very good interest rate but you will have to pay $200 deposit and $7.90 per week for 2 years. Total cost of the machine $998.00.
 * The school will offer you the ability to lease the machine from the school for $9.30 per week over 2 years which you will pay through an automatic payment to accounts. Parents with proven record of prompt payments will be able to do this. Total cost of the machine $910

Have a wee bit of patience. The college will be making available a purchase and supply option through Cyclone Computers with an on line order system within the next month. Internationally the supply of iPads is slow at present after a fire in China destroyed a supply of parts.

** The Research **


 * What educational benefits do 1:1 devices provide?**

> 1:1 devices complement the existing school curriculum by providing digital learning tools that link with planned classroom activities. Wireless access points at schools will foster collaboration and teamwork, allowing students to search for information together and share the learning experience > 1:1 device use in the classroom will evolve as students and teachers become familiar with the new tools.
 * 1:1 devices give students access to anywhere, anytime learning – in classrooms, in schoolyards and at home.
 * 1:1 personalised learning narrows the digital divide.
 * Student **attendance increases** and students are **more motivated and more engaged** (Russell, 2004, New Brunswick, 2004-06)
 * Students **write more, more often and better**. (Silvernail, 2004, Warschauer, 2005)
 * Overall **improvement in test scores** (New Brunswick, 2004-06 +)
 * Students engagement in **critical thinking**, problem-solving, and **higher-order thinking** on a task increased with 1-to-1 students; more willing to address/assess controversy within an assignment (Rockman, 1998)
 * Increase in **21st century learning skills** – including multimedia engagement, greater quality/quantity of writing, multiple/**deeper** investigation of information (Warschauer, 2005)
 * Motivation, engagement, independent work, interaction, and class preparation/participation of **students with disabilities improved** (Harris, 2004)
 * Access to a laptop for teachers and their students often forced a change in teachers’ level of **risk and openness to learning** (Rockman, 1997)
 * As digital confidence grows, and teachers are more ambitious…**More** students are accessing **more** mathematics in **deeper** ways. Students explore new **dimensions of accessing new knowledge.** Students are more engaged in in-depth research (Warschauer, 2004)