Mobile Learning @ Portlaoise CBS

Our vision

🚶🏻Engaging Boys

Keeping boys engaged through 2nd year and

beyond

🏢 🎓Preparation for

lifeTo better prepare them for

work, college or further education

📲Enhanced Teaching

Giving innovative teachers tools to enhance their

teaching, helping them reach every student

Developments

Enabling productivity and

collaboration between students

and teachers.

iPad mentors for 1st year for the

year.

View your son’s homework diary

and assignments.

Some reasons why we encourage students to use 1:1 mobile devices

• Our school is built for 850 students – to be realised this September

• We will only ever have 1 dedicated Computer Room to cope with all the digital needs of all classes and subjects

• Aside from ebooks, your son will need to do research for projects, portfolios, competitions, homework. A 1:1 device is ideal.

• Our teachers will be receiving additional training this year and we are building on the experience of previous years to make iPads as a necessary learning tool a success into the future.

• We realise there were weaknesses before, but the new innovations we bring you this evening more than address these weaknesses.

Drawbacks to iPad use for study at home and at school

• Students can quickly move from screen to screen and evade being 'caught out' playing games, etc. In the classroom.

• Parents may not know what their sons are really doing when they go to study in their room.

• Students report being easily distracted by the temptation to switch to other apps, etc.

New in 2016/17

• Managed and issued by the school• Students get

• iCloud storage• iTunes U• Photos • Backup

• Apps are provided centrally by the school• Students cannot download any Apps• Apps may be requested by students and teachers

and are approved or rejected.

• Students ‘graduate’ to a full account at a future date - to be decided by the school and parents.

Managed Apple IDs

New in 2016/17

• Manage iPads• Restrictions• Wireless• Content filtering for most websites• Distribute Apps• Timed controls• Notifications

• Parent App & Website• Lock into App or website• Supervise the device• New version, with new features, coming soon.

• Teacher App• Manage Apps and iPad in the Classroom

ZuluDesk (Mobile Device Management)

New in 2016/17

• Manage iPads• Restrictions• Wireless• Some websites• Distribute Apps• Timed controls

• Parent App & Website• Lock into App or website• Supervise the device• New version, with new features, coming soon.

• Teacher App• Manage Apps and iPad in the Classroom

schoolbag.ie (Resources and Homework)

New in 2016/17Accessibility (for students with SENs)

Parents’ Portal

View your son’s attendance, timetable and behaviour. Pay

fees online.

Manage your son’s iPad, including Apps and restrictions. Ideal

for homework supervision

View your son’s homework diary and

assignments.

Coming soonSAMPLE

Developments in 2016/17• Mobile learning programme entering its 5th year.

• Your son will be taking the new Junior Cycle for English,

Science and Business Studies and will be able to use the iPad in

class, for homework and for the assessment.

• Continuing professional development for staff, including SNAs.

• Continuation of Office 365 for Students, Staff & Parents.

• Enhanced programme of support for students and parents.

• Many of the textbooks are available as an app plus a textbook

for only €2-3 extra. This gives a student the best of both

worlds.

Working with all students• If your son is using an iPad as his textbook, he will be in class

with students who are using printed textbooks – we will NOT be forming classes based on iPad ownership.

• The class teacher will also be using the digital projector and the text will be onscreen, so that if a battery dies or someone has forgotten their iPad, everyone is still working on the same page.

• Homework, classwork and exams will still be written in copies, as usual. English, Science & Business will begin to change …

• Once downloaded the ebook content is on the iPad’s memory. So, even if there is no home internet, or the signal is weak, your son can still do his homework/study.

Costs for the iPad Scheme

Core subjects:Irish, English, Maths, History, Geography, CSPE, Science and Religion

Item Description WriggleiPad Air & Case 16GB Wi-Fi / Standard Case €449

EbooksCore subjects €163

Optional subject (MAX) €85

BookshopCore subjects €52

Optional subject (MAX) €55

WriggleDeployment €20

Monitoring, Service & Support €36

Total maximum cost: €860

Options: Business, Home Ec, French, Spanish, Woodwork, Tech Graphics, Art (no text) & Metalwork

This price is the estimated maximum as students’ texts will vary. Your actual price may be lower depending on subject choice. Printed workbooks are supplied with ebooks at a discounted rate when bundled.

Cost comparison for 1st Year

Option Wriggle Bookshop

iPad Scheme - Wriggle €753 - est. maximum €52 for Core€55 for Options (MAX)

iPad Scheme - Bring my own iPad €304 - est. maximum €52 for Core

€55 for Options (MAX)

Book Purchase Core subjects €230Options €162

Book Rental

This price is the estimated maximum as students’ texts will vary. Your actual price may be lower depending on subject choice. Printed workbooks are supplied with ebooks at a discounted rate when bundled.

Stationary and supplies are excluded

Paying for your iPad & ebooks• The cost per student is calculated according to the choice of

subjects each student makes.• If your son owns an iPad already, you will be able to just pay for

the ebook licenses and Wriggle services and so be part of this scheme. You must still go to the Wriggle store.

• An online store will be opened and you will place your order online before the end of June.

• Payment is due by Friday 29th of July directly to Wriggle.

Are there any other purchases?• Printed Workbooks are used in several subjects and will be

available in the bookshop in Portlaoise - the book list clearly identifies what’s required.

• Atlases, dictionaries, etc can be purchased on iTunes as Apps, and are often free. The school will manage this.

• In 2nd Year student will require additional books for English, Irish and Maths usually costing around €75 (print or digital).

• Some students may require an additional book for some language subject in 2nd year usually costing around €25.

Finance and InsurancePortlaoise Credit Union has worked with the school in previous years and can provide excellent rates and terms to parents. Sean Dunne is Manager of the CU and can provide further info by calling 057 8622594

They can also assist with a savings plan

1. A good case is the first form of insurance.2. Check your household policy (look for low

excess and no premium increase).3. Avail of Wriggle/Gadget Insurance when

purchasing iPad.

Looking after your iPad• The school does not own and is not responsible for the safety

of any iPad.• The charging of the battery is the student’s own responsibility.• Protective covers are available which are strongly

recommended. They are possibly the best form of insurance against damage.

• Special lockers upstairs are available for iPad storage during PE, matches and other school activities. These can only be opened with a key and offer greater security than the combination lockers downstairs.

What next?

You choose the iPad scheme.

- or -

You choose printed books and purchase them outright or join the book rental

scheme.

iPads• Your son MUST be available to come into school for 2 days in

the last 2 weeks of August to participate in the deployment and induction process (August 18th, 19th and 29th).

• Wriggle will be part of this installation and training process which will only be done on specific days.

• Parents are invited to attend for 2 hours on August 18th.• We will provide a parents’ training course in late September to

help you become more familiar with the device and how it should be used for educational purposes.

Dates and Deadlines

Friday 30th June Wriggle Online Store closes - deadline for orders

Friday 31st July Payment due to Wriggle (not the office)

Incoming first year’s will receive the following training during the school year to increase their usage of their iPads.

Friday August 19thA full-day session focusing on the following:- School induction & fun activities- Using my iPad to organise my work- Organising myself- Working with others

Student Training

Thursday August 18thDeployment session from Wriggle in 2-hour sessions. Parents are invited to attend

TY MentorsWe will a match a volunteer TY student with each first year class. They will assist during all the training sessions and their Gaisce community service will allow them to spend an hour a week helping each class group.

Monday August 29thA full-day session focusing on the following:- Doing research and being curious- Using their iPad to submit work- Using Word, PowerPoint

All 1st Year students must attend ALL days. These are compulsory - you should plan holidays around these dates

Outcome & Notes

At the end of all these sessions we want the students to be much more capable of using their iPads for a variety of tasks (including Office 365). We will produce an iBook / online course for students and staff to show all the uses and it will allow teachers pick from a menu of standard tasks to get the students using their devices more.

First Year Induction Day• iPads or not, all students are expected to attend

this on Friday 19th August.

• If your son will not be using an iPad, he will still be taking part along with all his classmates in the First Year Induction Day – but just for the morning session.

• If he is using an iPad, he will attend the full day on Friday 19th August .

Print books• 1.You may choose to either buy all your books (or)• 2. Join the School Book Rental Scheme.

• Lockers will be available as always for your sons’ books and belongings.

• Students using textbooks will benefit from the use of all technology the school has to offer - including the teachers’ resources which will be displayed onscreen during classes.

Q & A