My daughter is 5.5 and in year 1 this year at a public school. At the end of last year (last day) i got a letter basically telling me to buy an ipad for school. It pushed my buttons and i flat out refused. It was christmas ( expensive as it is) id had no contact with next years teacher yet and we dont have the money. We plan bdays christmas etc months in advance financially. Me and my husband have an android tablet on a plan but tge kids dont have access to it regularly they maybe use it once every 6 months.
I believe in traditional teaching im pro computer and screen time in moderation for learning purposes but i just cant be rational about this for some reason.
We had an information night at the school where someone did a presentation everything was relevant to older kids the only other example of a school using ipads was a high school. We were then told as of next year every student from prep is expected to bring one.
All of my friends family etc no one understands the need for it so young or the relevance to their learning as they already do computer classes.
The reality is its a $600 product plus case plus the required apps that cost money (they gave me a list) and i have to take out portable contents insurance on my home insurance. Not only that my youngest starts in 2018 and i will have to buy a second one! My daughter goes to before school care in the mornings there is a very real chance it could get stolen damaged lost. They have to take it there every day then home again the school doesn't care for my concerns as "this is the way forward"
My questions are what do ther parents think of this? Would you do it?
Are your kids at a primary school that expect similar?
I love the school love the teachers and obviously go to a public school because we cant afford private but want the best for our kids. Im going to have to get over it but im not sure how
12 Replies
Have you made a meeting and discussed this with the school? They havent just pulled this out of their ass, a lot of thought and discussion has gone into the decision, so with a meeting they will be able to explain it to you and give you some more understanding about how and why they will use technology from the early years.
I completely understand your fears about security and I'm sure they do too, they have whole meetings about how to manage and protect their own ipads.
I'm sure they will understand and be able to help overcome your practical
Concerns.
I think it's ludicrous!!!!!
The point of iPads etc is they are intuitive. It takes 99% of people to work out how to use one in 10minutes. Totally uneccessary in primary school for every child to have one.
As a sole parent myself (whose son used an iPod as a communication device) I understand the importance of technology, where it is relevant.
This seems like a school policy that is going to create a huge social divide, between those who can afford a device per child and those who can't and do next to nothing to improve a child's education.
I think that the cost versus reward in your schools policy is hugely out of whack!
I would expect this kind of expense from a private school but as its public ...
There's not a great deal you can do if the school is basing their teaching methods on ipad use and I highly doubt that will be changed at this late stage because a parent doesn't want to buy one. If she stays there and doesn't have an ipad she'll be left behind, you may well be better off finding a school that either isn't using them this early, or one that has bought a few themselves and rotate the kids through using them. I had a double whammy, ipads weren't around at first for my sons schooling but when he hit high school I had to buy a laptop the first year then they decided the following year they wanted ipads instead!
How annoying... Not every family can afford to buy new tech every year. Especially for bigger families
I don't get it either. My son starts school next year and I'm worried. He gets enough screen time at home I want him to go to school and play without technology except computers. I don't want to have to worry about him dropping the iPad, loosing it or it getting stolen. Also many schools allow them to take them into the yard. Imagine all those kids on their iPads instead of playing with each other. I'm going to see if the school he will be going to require them and if so I'll find a school that maybe only require homework or at least lock them away when not in class use
Wow! I certainly wouldn't be buying one. My kid is in year 2 this year and can't even seem to remember to pack his hat! I spend over $100 each year replacing hats that have gone missing and stolen. An iPad would go missing first day! My kids are going to write and work on getting a 'pen license'
I wouldnt be buying one for school. My kids have a ipad mini each anyway but theres no way i qould be trusting them to take it to school everyday. My kids are yr 2 & 3 this yr. The school has some ipads that the teachers can use with the kids and they just take turns. The same with laptops. I think if the school wants your child to use a ipad at school then they should supply them.
What makes me absolutely wild about this is the mandate of an iPad, and one for every child. WTF? There are dozens of different Android tablets out there - budget types and more luxury types - which are far more accessible for the average family. I can understand why kids need access to this tech for school, but sharing several iPads/Android tabs in the classroom would be more beneficial and save the individual tablet use at home, for homework. One tablet per family and the apps needed should come on both "i" devices and Android devices. Going to school can be expensive enough!
My kids go to a public school the school is very open about ipads. Every class has 2ipads in the class and as of yr 4 it is expected each kids has their own. I think its a great tool for teaching. My daughter is in yr 3 and does alot of work on the ipad. The school also has their reward charts online so i can see and also have contact with teachers at all times via this app.
Wow. Not really any advice, but just wanted to say I agree - that's over the top. The school my children go to require iPads in grade 5 as far as I know (a few years away for us) and I thought even that was a big ask. We're at a fairly pricey private school (as our catchment school is unfortunately big and rough with a pretty poor reputation) so we're already quite stretched financially. I think if they need iPads as part of their public school education, they should be provided by the school for daily use in the classroom, so they are able to be used at school for specific activities, then left there. Then they're not put at risk of theft/damage/whatever when the child is in before school care, and also you wouldn't have to introduce a whole new set of rules and restrictions on home use. What a pain.
Wow I can't believe that you are expected to do this, I don't even think it's legal, school fees aren't even compulsory! At our school the P&C fundraisers to buy sets of iPads for the classroom. Your school should at least have a plan in place to have loan ones for those that can't afford to buy one. Organise a meeting with the principal and just tell them that you cannot afford it, especially at short notice and see what they come up with. Also ring the department of education in your State and find out the policy/legal status of this 'requirement'. If all else fails go to the P&C or come up with a fundraising idea to carry out for yourself and others in the same boat (surely not every other parent in the school is ok with this)?