Empowered Learning at CK
About Empowered Learning:
The ‘Empowered Learning’ programme sees all learners in P6-S6 will be provided with their own iPad to both enhance learning and provide equity at school and at home. The programme also sees a significant number of iPads shared across our P1-P5 classes.
iPads are already used widely in the school and they have so many benefits as we look to prepare our children for a world where having strong digital skills is essential. They often enhance and extend learning in ways that we have been unable to in the past. Further information about how the EL programme looks at Carrick Knowe can be found using the link below:
Before children can be given an iPad, all parties (the school, learners and parents/carers) must sign a Home-School agreement where they agree to a number of conditions. These conditions cover things such as looking after the iPad, responsible use, damages and possible sanctions. There is a link below which will take you to a Microsoft Form that outlines all of the conditions. As you go through it, you and your child are required to ‘Digitally Sign’ the agreement and this must be done before we can hand out any iPads.
P6 Rollout Letter:
Home-School Agreement Link
(for current P6/P7s only):
Click here to view and digitally sign the Home-School agreement
School Policies and Strategy:
Some Frequently Asked Questions:
Should children bring iPads to school every day and what if they forget to bring it in?
There is an expectation that children bring their iPad to school fully charged each day (at least 60%) however there may be days where iPads are not used and your child’s teacher will let them know in advance to save them bringing them in on those days.
As set out in the agreement, if your child does not bring their iPad in, they will be required to complete work using an alternative method. We are unable to provide spare ones every time a child forgets to bring them in as all of our other iPads are regularly in use by other classes.
Children will receive their iPads at the start of P6, but when do we give them back?
After children receive their iPads in P6, they will keep the same iPad until the end of S2! We don’t collect them in over the Christmas and Easter holidays however have decided to collect them in over the Summer.
Do they need an Apple ID and password?
When setting up their iPads in school, children will be given a ‘Managed Apple ID’. This is different to a usual login as it restricts certain features such as purchasing tools and downloading from the ‘App Store’. These Apple IDs will have different passwords to their Microsoft 365 accounts but school staff will keep a record of them.
What about passcodes?
Children will be able to choose their own passcodes for their iPad in order to stop any unauthorised use by other children (and siblings!). They can also use the ‘Finger ID’ function. If they forget their passcode then Mr Morley and Mr Harper are the people who can quickly reset it.
There is no App Store. Does this mean my child can’t download any apps?
Children will be able to download specific apps which have been pre-approved by the City of Edinburgh Council. To do this, they will use an app called ‘Self Service’. There is currently a list of 100+ apps covering many curricular areas and this list is being added to all the time.
Is there a way to block my child from accessing things they shouldn’t or limit screen time?
Yes. As well as restricting apps, each iPad has web-filtering enabled which means that children cannot access inappropriate content both in school and at home.
At home, parents can use the ‘Screen Time’ option within settings to see which apps children have been using and what websites they have visited.
They can also use the ‘Downtime’ feature to limit the times of day a child can access their iPad. For more information on how to do this please click here.
Will all work be completed on iPads now?
No – let us assure you that children will not be staring at screens all day! What we hope is that by having quick access to devices that we can build a more creative curriculum with a stronger focus on digital skills – key to the workforce of the future.
As part of our School Improvement Plan, teachers will continue to attend courses to ensure we are making the most out of the iPads and as a school, we are very good at sharing best practice.
Something’s gone wrong. What do we do!?
Firstly, don’t panic. Things go wrong and accidents do happen. In the first instance, your child should take their iPad to their class teacher to see if they can solve the problem. They may then wish to pass this on to one of our ‘Tech Team’ in the school.
Normally we are able to fix most problems in school however there may be occasions where we have to send the iPad away for repair, in which case we will get in touch with home beforehand.
Pictures…!?
Children love a good selfie…! However the rules on taking photographs in school applies in the same way on their iPads as it would a mobile phone. What we will make clear is that having an iPad full of selfies and photographs which have been taken in school and in the classroom is not acceptable.
Having a selfie with their pet dog and having that as their screensaver is more than okay though!
What happens if my child misuses their iPad?
As set out in the Home-School agreement, misuse of the iPads will be dealt with on a case-by-basis. We may decide that an iPad cannot go home or we may decide to remove the iPad completely for a specific number of days.
Children and parents should be aware that taking the iPads off children is not just an idle threat. They have been taken off whole year groups in previous years and we will not hesitate to take iPads off children if they are being used inappropriately – in school or out of school.
Does my child have to take their iPad home?
Most families are happy for children to take their school iPads home – it often encourages children to be responsible to look after it and also allows them to further engage with their learning at home.
There can be occasions where families wish for iPads to stay in school and we will fully support this. If this is the case, please get in touch with your child’s class teacher and this can be arranged.
