Computers, kids and an iClass education
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Tens of thousands of iPhones and iPads are to be given out to Abu Dhabi students as part of a major digital education programme, it was announced this week
Tens of thousands of iPhones and iPads are to be given out to Abu Dhabi students as part of a major digital education programme, it was announced this week.
Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) announced that it has already handed out 7,000 devices in a pilot scheme and up to 15 more schools will be brought into the iClass programme in the next academic year.Richard Mehrer, ADEC’s iClass project manager, said that schools will be connected via video conferencing and electronic whiteboards.
So, is it a good thing to be encouraging young children into more digital technology?
“It’s 100 per cent a good thing,” says Nicola Trikoz, originally from Russia, who has two young children in Abu Dhabi schools.
“When we were in school, we learned everything by heart and nobody questioned anything,” she said.
“Here you have this technology and if you are unsure of what is the answer, you can look it up. This is marvellous because now there are no limits on education.
“I would love to be in school now.”
Isobella Ajani said her seven-year-boy has already been asking about when he can get a school iPad. "I think that is really interesting,” said Isobella.
“You don’t hear children getting that excited about school books or when they can use chalk and a blackboard. So if it keeps them interested, why not?”
Michael Abernethy, whose eight-year-old and 10-year-old share an iPod for downloading music and education programmes, said: “It all sounds a bit gimmicky to me.
“Their mother allows it [iPod usage] but every week we are hearing more and more about “iLearning”.
“It has become so trendy in education. Kids now seem unable to sit still for 10 minutes, I can’t help wonder if that’s going to get worse.”
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