Is this the beginning of the end for the school exercise book?
As jotters are scrapped in favour of iPads for our children...
FOR generations, they have been a familiar, ink-stained and indispensable part of classroom life.
But now school jotters look set to be confined to history – replaced by tablet computers.
Many Scottish pupils are carrying out almost all their lessons – and their homework – on iPads and other electronic devices.
One school has already all but erased exercise books. At Glasgow’s Kelvinside Academy, pupils carry out their studies using personal internet-connected tablets.
The radical change sparked concerns from parents who feared there would be no place for traditional handwriting in computerised classrooms.
However, rector Robert Karling insists the experiment represents the future of education.
He has masterminded the move away from conventional lessons and the creation of a computerised Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) at the independent school.
Each pupil has their own iPad-style device which is connected to the school’s interactive database.
Mr Karling said: ‘I now teach without textbooks or handouts. I have not given a single piece of paper to my pupils all session.
‘They never need to worry about forgetting about a textbook or lug-
‘I expect other schools to follow our example’
ging around huge workbooks. From my point of view, these workbooks are deathly.’
The rector believes the tablets, which are provided by parents and are restricted and monitored to prevent inappropriate usage, are more versatile than jotters or textbooks.
He said: ‘I can put up diagrams, maps, power points, video files, quizzes and a range of materials. It is far more stimulating for the pupils and has greatly increased my enjoyment of teaching them.
‘When they come into the classroom, I’ll have the VLE pages up on the interactive whiteboard. They then log in to their devices and access the information.
‘All homework is now assigned via the VLE. Pupils can submit their work instantly and the teachers can mark it electronically.
‘One teacher filmed and shared basic explanations of maths techniques and we found the pupils were watching it up to seven times. In a normal lesson, a teacher might only explain the technique once, but now they can watch the videos as many times as they need to.’
But Mr Karling did concede he had to overcome parental resistance. He said: ‘A lot of parents wanted their children to have a healthy, outdoor kind of childhood and didn’t want them to be online 12 hours a day. Being the father of two teenage boys, I have the same concerns.
‘Because of this, we are very much aware of the danger of electronic overload and are making time for reflection, downtime and personal space in the school timetable.’ Mr Karling also claimed parental fears over the loss of reading and writing skills had been put to rest. He said: ‘We held a meeting at which teachers reassured them those skills could be enhanced rather than diluted. Teachers report that pupils employ a richer vocabulary.
‘There is a world of difference between writing a tweet and constructing a concentrated and focused piece of extended writing.
‘Young people know what’s accept- able and what is not in terms of an academic submission. I do expect other schools to follow our example. This is the way things are going.’
But the Campaign for Real Education expressed alarm at the prospect of paper-free classrooms. Chairman Chris McGovern said: ‘There is a place for computers in schools, but children need to be taught to read and write and do arithmetic using a pencil and paper.
‘If you are entirely dependent on computers, you have a serious prob- lem if there is a power cut. It can potentially be a life or death situation if you have a nurse who dispenses the wrong amount of medicine because they cannot do mental arithmetic without the aid of a computer or calculator.
‘Children should go to school to spend some time away from computer screens, not to have their addiction fed further.’
Seamus Searson, incoming general secretary of the Scottish Secondary Teachers Association, said: ‘Schools want to embrace new technology as it is a very valuable learning tool. However, safeguards need to be put in place to prevent cyber-bullying.
‘There is also a lot to be gained from going to libraries rather than researching in a vacuum using computers. We don’t want children to lose the love of books.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘It is up to local authorities to decide to implement such technology in a way they feel is appropriate.’