We live in the Digital Age with amazing advances in technology that are benefiting society and schools at a fantastic rate. We advances comes challenges in how and what technology is used for. Here are a list of myths we are busting with technology and our school:
Myth 1: Kids use iPads all day and don't know how to write!
Busted: Teachers design learning and include the best and most apporpriate tool to use. Some learning is best done using a device (vlogging, podcasting, coding) and others without. Teachers use a combination of tools and include handwriting in this process.
Myth 2: Kids are using social media at school to bully others!
Busted: Education QLD block and all social media sites, apps, spaces and tools on their wifi network. All devices used at school are purchased, owned and operated by Education QLD. No student has access to the App Store. Students might make a video or take a picture on their iPad locally. This is heavily monitored by staff and inappropriate use of devices come with significant consequences.
Myth 3: Kids are just playing Minecraft all the time.
Busted: Only Minecraft Education is installed and can be used at school. This is a cut down version of Minecraft and excludes all the zombie and spawning elements. It is monitored by Education QLD with inappropriate language in the collaborative chats policed. Only students sitting int he same room can join a combined world and collaborate.
Myth 4: Kids have far too much screen time at school.
Busted: Screen time is relative to "what" the child is doing on the device. Activities that just require students to "consume" content (watching videos, playing games with the same repetitive process) require students to have breaks more frequently as this approach does have screen time issues. Activities that require students to "create" content (bloggs, vlogging, coding, digital creation) don't require as much frequency of breaks. Our teachers ensure that activities are dominated by content "creating" as much as possible.