Parent Information Night 2013

Integrating Laptops into our Classrooms Julie Sebanc - Butler

Parent Perceptions of the 1:1 Laptop Program

Understanding parent perceptions of a 1:1 laptop program in Western Australia: Journal of Australian Educational Computing

Childrens basic skills, such as handwriting will suffer Children are on the computer too much at home Children will be come distracted from the real task

Supporting Basic Literacies

Literacy and numeracy and knowledge of key disciplines remain the cornerstone of schooling for young Australians. Schooling should also support the development of skills in areas such as social interaction, crossdisciplinary thinking and the use of digital media, which are essential in all 21st century occupations.

Melbourne Declaration of Educational Goals for Young People,p5 http://www.mceecdya.edu.au/verve/_resources/national_declaration_on_the_educational_goals_for_young_australians.pdf

Introducing New Tools to Support Basic Skills and Processes

Mathematics has its own value and beauty and the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics aims to instil in students an appreciation of the elegance and power of mathematical reasoning. Mathematical ideas have evolved across all cultures over thousands of years, and are constantly developing. Digital technologies are facilitating this expansion of ideas and providing access to new tools for continuing mathematical exploration and invention.

Australian Curriuculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority Rationale, Aims for Mathematical Curriculum, p2 retrieved from http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/Mathematics/Rationale

The Present Situation

The proportion of Australian households with access to a computer at home was 83% in 2010-11. Computer access at home is more common for households: in the highest income quintile (96%); with children under 15 years of age (95%); and in State and Territory capitals (85%). Household access to a computer at home by State or Territory ranged from 91% for the Australian Capital Territory to 76% for Tasmania. In the 12 months prior to April 2009, the most popular use for the internet was educational activities In 2009, 94% of children aged 12-14 years and 91% of children aged 9-11 years used the internet at home for school work or other educational activities, compared with 64% of 5-8 year-olds.

Households with access to a home computer, by State or Territory, 2010-11 Australian Bureau of Statistics http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/4E4D83E02F39FC32CA25796600152BF4?opendocument

Digital Natives and Australian Curriculum

Your child has never known a world without an interactive Internet. Children born into this automatic awareness of technology are called digital natives. Digital Natives have had exposure to a greater number of perspectives and information, therefore need more guidance on how to use this tool for sourcing and creating information effectively.

How does this link to Australian Education?

It is essential that the mathematical ideas with which students interact are relevant and meaningful in the context of their lives.
Australian Curriuculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority Rationale, Aims for Mathematical Curriculum p,5

How Can We Take Your Childs Interest and Integrate it Into Education?
Role modelling appropriate use and practice from an early age ensures that children will have access to informed choices when accessing laptops for both educational and social purposes. Our role as educators is to ensure that your child receives a world-class education, as detailed in Australian Educational Frameworks and Practices. Part of receiving a world - class education is remaining competitive and up to date in the use of modern technologies and teaching aids.