iLearn Anywhere - 500 iPads deployed to Yr 4 students in 8 schools

This year is the start of an exciting new iPad project in the Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta (CEDP).

Called the The ‘iLearn Anywhere’ Project, we are planning to:

• identify ways of enhancing student learning outcomes in Literacy and Numeracy when using iPads as a digital learning tool in English, Mathematics and other key learning areas.
• inform future best practice in teaching and learning in technology rich environments in primary classrooms
• explore the potential value of extending digital learning to the home environment.

Targeted participating group

As part of this project, CEDP is providing iPad Airs to (500) students in Year 4 of eight selected primary schools. They will each have access to the iPad Air for their personal educational use at school and at home to support their learning.  The project will continue over 3 years from Year 4 (2014) and right through to Year 5 (2015) and Year 6 (2016).

The project will provide:

• A grade set of iPads for each participating school. These will include protective cases and a base selection of Apps
• Professional learning support and resources for teachers to assist them to successfully incorporate the use of the iPad into classroom learning and teaching. Professional Learning opportunities will include face to face professional learning as well as in- classroom support and online courses. Teachers will also form in a Professional Learning Community where they will share knowledge and experiences with one another with inter-school visits and also through their contributions to this Blog.
• A selected set of educational Apps, for all students and their teachers, deployed to the iPad. The apps selected are generally content free and focus on allowing students to compose rather than simply consume content.
• Opportunities for parents to be engaged with their child’s learning. Parents will be fully informed of the details of the program and how they can support their child in using the iPad appropriately at home.
• The project will also engage with participating students their teachers and parents in gathering research evidence to evaluate the effectiveness of the 1-1 ipad use in Stage 2 classrooms.

Current status of the project

• An iLearn Anywhere Briefing has been held for all school leaders and Year 4 teachers
• Site visits have been made to participating schools by CEDP staff to brief schools, scan the environment and discuss potential challenges.
• iPads have been deployed to the schools
• All Schools have developed iPad user agreements and assessed their current cyberwise policies as well as assessing their technology infrastructure and learning environment readiness.
• Parent information nights have been held by schools to inform parents of their involvement
• An ‘iLearn anywhere’ website has been developed to provide resources.
• The first professional learning day will be held next week on Tuesday 18 March.

This blog will provide regular updates of the project as they happen.  Schools will also post updates here.

See the slides from the iLearn Anywhere briefing below: