Junior Years (1-6)
The use of iPads are integrated into the curriculum in developmentally-appropriate ways. Students in Years 0 – 2 have access to class sets of iPads. Students from Years 3 – 6 support their learning with their own iPad, brought from home. iPads are used to strengthen and support our delivery of Numeracy and Literacy, bringing in elements of engagement, accessibility, differentiation, live-feedback and seamless school-to-home learning.
To complement the Numeracy and Literacy programmes, an integrative, inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning is used for the remainder of the day in which curriculum areas, e.g. Science, are integrated around a common theme to facilitate students’ understanding. This is enhanced by the unique possibilities provided with the use of digital devices. It involves identifying and working on a real problem/issue around the chosen theme, focusing on the learning that is needed, and actually implementing a solution. Students use problem-solving skills to arrive at that solution; these skills will continue to be valuable not only at school, but useful in life.
Through sharing new knowledge that they have created both digitally and physically, locally and globally, students are making a difference with their learning and adding relevance to their inquiry. In other words, inquiry learning is not only concerned with in-school success, but it is equally concerned with preparation for life-long learning. Making a difference through a social action both online and offline, is an opportunity for students to think about how they can have a positive influence on their world, regardless of age, whether it is for themselves, their community, or their country.