In January we are using our time together in the library to introduce and practice the use of a PED (Personal Electronic Device) as a tool while at school. In particular, we are fortunate enough to have a full class set of iPads available to us.
All DBE students, K-5, agree to the following:
I will only use the iPad for its
intended purpose.
And if I don’t,
I will not use the iPad.
While the use of technology to enhance, enrich and support our work as students is vital to our continued growth as 21st century digitial citizens, is indeed a growing necessity, it still stands that the use of the iPads at DBE is a privilege and not a right. The agreement above, coupled with our conversations in class prior to using the iPads illustrates how our use of PEDs at home is often guided by different principles that our use of PEDs at school. We draw the line between home/entertainment and school/education.
Each grade level is using the iPads in different ways to practice our in school protocols and procedures. Every students is assigned an iPad color and number that will be their iPad for the remainder of the school year. This helps to streamline distribution and collection as well as follow up with a user when an iPad has any issues regarding condition or content.
Our 4/5s have been using the iPads for some time now while our K-3s are using this time to acclimate themselves to a library that offers them access to iPads as a resource.
If you have questions or concerns about student use of iPads at DBE, please feel free to contact me: rlwynkoop@seattleschools.org.