Seated in a circle, Grade R learners at Sun Valley Primary School focus their gaze on individual iPad screens, listening intently through colourful headsets.
From Grade 1s learning the alphabet to Grade 7s doing presentations, maths, coding and robotics to art . . . learners are being prepared for a digital world.
“They learn differently to the way we learned in class and it makes it more engaging for them, so their attention span is better and their behaviour is better,” said school principal Coralie Thompson.
She said the school is the only public Apple Distinguished School in the country.
“There is only one other school and it is a private school. We are the only public school in South Africa that is an Apple Distinguished School.
“It costs around R1 million to purchase new devices for Grade 4s each year and it is part of the school’s budget. We trade the old iPads into Apple and then we receive money back which goes down on a deposit for new iPads.”
Every year, Grade 4 classes receive new devices which they use up until Grade 7, while other Grades use recycled iPads.
“I think it is the way of the future and not everyone can afford an iPad, so the school pays for the devices. We have settings on the iPads so we can control what they access, especially with Apple Classroom.”
Christine de Lange, a Grade 4 teacher, says using iPads in the classroom integrates the outside world with the inside world.
“I love having a digital device in class because, from a teacher’s perspective, it makes my life a lot easier. I’m integrating the outside world with the inside world with content and curriculum.
“In terms of blended learning, it creates a seamless environment to do that.”
De Lange says using Apple Classroom she can keep an eye on all learners in class while working with individual children at their level.
“I can check in and make sure they are all on the right page and I can guide them to the right things, just by having my device in hand. It’s so exciting that they can have that real-world experience to for example use Google Maps to go for a walk.”
De Lange adds that learners are more equipped to choose the way they learn best.
“If they want to type something instead of writing, they can do that. If kids need the opportunity to listen to something over they have that opportunity by a click of a button.
“They are able to use these tools to enhance their learning in a way that suits their individual needs.
“The world is going digital, so if we stay with traditional schooling of books and paper, pencils and four walls . . . how are we preparing them for a digital world and a digital career and future?
“If we don’t upgrade our curriculum, we are disadvantaging them for their future.”
Ashric Don, deputy chief education specialist in coding and robotics from the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), says robotics is changing the education system.
“What I noticed through my walk in the classrooms today is that the kids are all very proficient. You can see they have experience in what they are doing.”
He added that coding and robotics are “game-changing subject” because it is something you can’t place in a box.
“You need to think critically and problem solve, what other subject gives you the opportunity to be creative, build something new?
“Ten years from now, imagine a group of learners finishing school in Grade 12. It is a kid that can problem solve, create and go into the workforce and be anything that they want to be.
“We have a high unemployment rate of more than 60% and I think the key is robotics to change our education system.”
