Parents of students at the Victoria International School of Sharjah (VISS) are learning how to best utilize iPads to help enhance the learning experiences of their children.

The school is hosting workshops for parents, which have been designed to give them a better understanding of iPads, their range of uses and importance as a tool for learning.

Over 60 participants attended the school’s first workshop, which saw parents become the learners and the students the teachers.

Coby Reynolds, iPad and eLearning Coordinator at VISS, said: “We feel that it is important to involve our parents in all areas of student learning and teaching at VISS, and these workshops have been very valuable for everyone who has been involved.”

“By educating parents about the iPad and its uses in the classroom, we are providing a better understanding that it is not just a toy, but a great tool for learning.”

“The integration of technology at VISS has grown immensely since the first iPad trial in January, 2013. Our teachers have also been involved in specific iPad training to ensure the devices are being used to the best of their ability for student learning.”

In addition to the teacher training sessions, VISS recently launched a comprehensive 1:1 iPad program for Grades 5, 6 and 7, which currently includes the participation of 16 teachers and 220 students. The program is based on a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) model and focuses on a variety of creating and content apps that are utilised in all areas of the curriculum.

“Students are already used to technology, as they are born into it, but we believe it is our responsibility to ensure parents don’t fall behind and are able to help the students prepare for the future,” Mr Reynolds added.

“These parents’ workshops complement the school’s ongoing commitment to improve student learning through the use of technology in the classroom. Importantly, the iPad does not replace the use of books and pencils at the school, it works alongside them.”

The next parent iPad workshop will be held on 19th February 2014.

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