IT strategy gives pupils an edge in digital world

Roedean School aims to be among the world leaders in terms of the innovative use of technology in teaching and learning. However, the school is also committed to never losing sight of the fact that the key to the meaningful use of technology is not found in the tools themselves, but in how they support pedagogical objectives, says information technology (IT) teacher at Roedean, Dorian Love.

According to Love, the school’s BYOD (bring your own device) policy — which requires each girl to bring a tablet or laptop to school — and an effective network infrastructure allow students and teachers to use their devices in every classroom and access the school’s learning management system platforms at all times.

“We view technology as an essential part of our cognitive education programme and encourage teachers to explore how to use technology to promote the acquisition of broader thinking skills rather than content alone,” he says.

Coding is taught in Grades 8 and 9 to promote algorithmic thinking. Pupils are also able to study IT as a subject to Grade 12. Office and Adobe packages are taught along with digital information skills to provide pupils with the tools they need to work digitally. But, says Love, crucially the school views its IT strategy as the cornerstone of a 21st century curriculum.

“Students today need to navigate digital as well as analogue spaces. These present different cognitive challenges from analysing and synthesising online information rapidly, to detailed close reading of traditional print media, evaluating evidence and assessing the veracity of information,” he says.

“Pupils need to be able to read and create multimodal texts, and work collaboratively in ways hitherto unimagined. At Roedean we are committed to giving students the skills they need in every context to face the challenge of tomorrow.”