Jul201118

7

Why Orewa College is doing the right thing

Orewa College is asking all year 9 students to bring their own device next year. This is awesome. It means that the line between “school” and “the real world” will further fade. I normally hate that concept (the “real” world) but, it’s useful here.

A brief recap: The school sent a letter to year 8 students, explaining that they needed to buy a one-to-one device. It listed acceptable devices and recommended an ipad2.  Today, Stuff published an article which was largely labour party whistle blowing. Their fact-checking department were also operating and their usual (terrible) standard. The Herald also published a more moderated piece, correctly stating that the iPad is a recommended option, but not emphasising that the parents can send their kid with anything they like?

An email from Tara Taylor-Jorgensen triggered a repressed memory: When I started year 9 in 1987 the casio fx82 scientific calculator was on the stationery list, at I think about $100. It was prescribed – there was no other option. No other “device” was allowed (familiar?). I used it for log/sin/cos/tan functions. At most: about a quarter of the year in maths. That’s a quarter of one subject. I looked up what $100 equals on the inflation calculator. It equals $199 in 2011. What a rip off. It’s a lot less than $799 for an entry level ipad, and there wasn’t a recession, but it was a supremely dumb device.

What’s my point? I’d like to know what Labour MP Sue Moroney would prefer. Nothing?

I think Orewa is doing a great job. Last year, my son was allowed to bring a macbook to intermediate school. They didn’t have a BYOD (bring your own device) policy, but they were accommodating. Late last year his new secondary school advertised a netbook class. A whole class of year 9s where that all have their own netbooks. Catch: you have to buy their device. $700 for a crappy tosh netbook when we’d just bought him a 2.1 MHz macbook for $800 from trademe. We bought it. He’s 13 and has two computers, a phone and an ipod.

About a month ago, I was asked to imagine teaching without my laptop. Being given nothing but a 1b5 to carry around all day. Inconceivable.

What are your thoughts?

7 Comments to “Why Orewa College is doing the right thing”

  1. Catherine Lee 18 July 2011 at 8:57 pm #

    We missed the boat on this one Steve…

  2. Melinda Bennett 19 July 2011 at 9:13 am #

    Bravo, I completely agree.
    I am the principal of a primary that contributes to Orewa. We have been using iPod & iPad technology for over 12 months. We do provide a few shared devices, but when parents see the engagement and benefits, most have volunteered to purchase their own. Our parents were starting to worry seriously about the perceived ‘backwards’ step our chn would be taking when they headed to college. Although Orewa are just beginning their journey, our parents are breathing a huge sigh of relief!!!!!

  3. Sophie Wright 19 July 2011 at 1:00 pm #

    I read the article the other day and thought BRAVO Orewa College. Too many schools still have a fortress mentality when it comes to BYOD – even for teachers.

  4. Ms Matthews 25 July 2011 at 5:40 pm #

    Great discussion, I agree with you. I teach yr5/6 students and have just began to utilise the iPod touch in my classroom program and have had 36 netbooks in the school for two years now.
    I wouldn’t discourage our students from bringing their own devices to school.
    We are a small rural school and I often wonder what happens to the students when they leave us. I would love to work with our local college for the benefit of all our students.
    Mel

  5. Melanie Matthews 25 July 2011 at 5:41 pm #

    Great discussion, I agree with you. I teach yr5/6 students and have just began to utilise the iPod touch in my classroom program and have had 36 netbooks in the school for two years now.
    I wouldn’t discourage our students from bringing their own devices to school.
    We are a small rural school and I often wonder what happens to the students when they leave us. I would love to work with our local college for the benefit of all our students.
    Mel

  6. Mal 18 September 2011 at 11:42 pm #

    Great idea… In an ideal world, every student in the country would be able to afford a device easily. This would give them the ability to really forge ahead with their own independent learning and work ‘anytime, anyplace.’ Alas, the reality is, only a small percentage of students will be in the position to have their parents that can afford to buy them any sort of device. For many, this will be just a dream. In an ideal world, the nations poorer schools would be able to secure some sort of funding or grant to be able to provide for their students so they too can ‘keep up with the Orewa’s!’ #PipeDreams #EgaitarianWorld #JustSaying…


Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Jul201118

7

Why Orewa College is doing the right thing

Orewa College is asking all year 9 students to bring their own device next year. This is awesome. It means that the line between “school” and “the real world” will further fade. I normally hate that concept (the “real” world) but, it’s useful here.

A brief recap: The school sent a letter to year 8 students, explaining that they needed to buy a one-to-one device. It listed acceptable devices and recommended an ipad2.  Today, Stuff published an article which was largely labour party whistle blowing. Their fact-checking department were also operating and their usual (terrible) standard. The Herald also published a more moderated piece, correctly stating that the iPad is a recommended option, but not emphasising that the parents can send their kid with anything they like?

An email from Tara Taylor-Jorgensen triggered a repressed memory: When I started year 9 in 1987 the casio fx82 scientific calculator was on the stationery list, at I think about $100. It was prescribed – there was no other option. No other “device” was allowed (familiar?). I used it for log/sin/cos/tan functions. At most: about a quarter of the year in maths. That’s a quarter of one subject. I looked up what $100 equals on the inflation calculator. It equals $199 in 2011. What a rip off. It’s a lot less than $799 for an entry level ipad, and there wasn’t a recession, but it was a supremely dumb device.

What’s my point? I’d like to know what Labour MP Sue Moroney would prefer. Nothing?

I think Orewa is doing a great job. Last year, my son was allowed to bring a macbook to intermediate school. They didn’t have a BYOD (bring your own device) policy, but they were accommodating. Late last year his new secondary school advertised a netbook class. A whole class of year 9s where that all have their own netbooks. Catch: you have to buy their device. $700 for a crappy tosh netbook when we’d just bought him a 2.1 MHz macbook for $800 from trademe. We bought it. He’s 13 and has two computers, a phone and an ipod.

About a month ago, I was asked to imagine teaching without my laptop. Being given nothing but a 1b5 to carry around all day. Inconceivable.

What are your thoughts?

7 Comments to “Why Orewa College is doing the right thing”

  1. Catherine Lee 18 July 2011 at 8:57 pm #

    We missed the boat on this one Steve…

  2. Melinda Bennett 19 July 2011 at 9:13 am #

    Bravo, I completely agree.
    I am the principal of a primary that contributes to Orewa. We have been using iPod & iPad technology for over 12 months. We do provide a few shared devices, but when parents see the engagement and benefits, most have volunteered to purchase their own. Our parents were starting to worry seriously about the perceived ‘backwards’ step our chn would be taking when they headed to college. Although Orewa are just beginning their journey, our parents are breathing a huge sigh of relief!!!!!

  3. Sophie Wright 19 July 2011 at 1:00 pm #

    I read the article the other day and thought BRAVO Orewa College. Too many schools still have a fortress mentality when it comes to BYOD – even for teachers.

  4. Ms Matthews 25 July 2011 at 5:40 pm #

    Great discussion, I agree with you. I teach yr5/6 students and have just began to utilise the iPod touch in my classroom program and have had 36 netbooks in the school for two years now.
    I wouldn’t discourage our students from bringing their own devices to school.
    We are a small rural school and I often wonder what happens to the students when they leave us. I would love to work with our local college for the benefit of all our students.
    Mel

  5. Melanie Matthews 25 July 2011 at 5:41 pm #

    Great discussion, I agree with you. I teach yr5/6 students and have just began to utilise the iPod touch in my classroom program and have had 36 netbooks in the school for two years now.
    I wouldn’t discourage our students from bringing their own devices to school.
    We are a small rural school and I often wonder what happens to the students when they leave us. I would love to work with our local college for the benefit of all our students.
    Mel

  6. Mal 18 September 2011 at 11:42 pm #

    Great idea… In an ideal world, every student in the country would be able to afford a device easily. This would give them the ability to really forge ahead with their own independent learning and work ‘anytime, anyplace.’ Alas, the reality is, only a small percentage of students will be in the position to have their parents that can afford to buy them any sort of device. For many, this will be just a dream. In an ideal world, the nations poorer schools would be able to secure some sort of funding or grant to be able to provide for their students so they too can ‘keep up with the Orewa’s!’ #PipeDreams #EgaitarianWorld #JustSaying…


Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.