I think I must sound like a broken record when it comes to how happy we are with our chosen school for our boys here in India. We have nearly been there for 12 months, and the development in both boys has been fabulous. One thing we were so very impressed with was the ICT (Information and Communications Technology) classes that were conducted at Stonehill. As Mike and I both rely on technology for our jobs and have seen how important it is to have basic IT skills when working, it was important for us that the boys get to learn the basics - not just games and other silly stuff. Mind you, there is still plenty of that done by both our boys.
Obviously, resources are huge part of how successful this program can be and the school have provided great facilities with desktops, laptops, iPads, projectors etc, in many parts of the school. The children use the iPads and desktops in the classroom on a regular basis and then also have dedicated ICT classes. The software that is available is great, and the iPad applications that are used are both fun and educational.
Once a year, the school holds a Tech Fair to invite all the parents to see the work of all the children from a Technology perspective. The children move through the work they have created using many tools and skills. To see the children naturally move around the keyboard, software and applications they are using was so nice, and comforting that it is not all fun and games.
Jack displayed a number of Powerpoint presentations he had completed (either solo) or as a group which tied back to the Unit of Inquiries they have done throughout the year. Jack's class has also been learning how to create an animation which was on display for all to see. This was linked in with their 'Explorers' unit and Jack's class completed an animation on Robert Peary, with Jack having responsibility for the final part of making the explorer walk to the top of a hill and plant the flag in the ground. He was very proud of his work.
Max was able to show us logging on with his 'secret' password that he has now told everyone !! Also how he locates files that he has created, and walked me through the Powerpoint presentations he has created by researching on the internet about aeroplanes and cars - linked to the machinery unit they had earlier in the year.
I was very impressed with all the kids enthusiasm - lets hope we have a couple of little techies on our hands.
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| Jack displaying a powerpoint on healthy/unhealthy lifestyles (fish and chips anyone ?) |
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| Part of the animation |
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Jack showing his skills on the iPad - there were applications about compound machines
and the digestive system that they were using with ease. |
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| Yes, that's the intestine - lots of fun watching the 'poop' go through........ |
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| The teachers outlined the animations for all to see. |
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| Max with a beloved iPad |
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| Walking me through his Aeroplane Powerpoint |
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| This was Max's view of food at Christmas and Easter - I think he just has meat pies on the brain !! |
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| Max's entry on 'drawing' on the PC |
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| For the Unit 'roles and responsibilities' Max worked on this diagram online. |
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