School pupils ‘to be left to their own devices’

PUPILS are to be encouraged to use their own smart phones and laptops in the classroom as part of a plan to introduce “coffee shop” technology in Scotland’s schools.

A Scottish Government consultation is looking at how technology can be better harnessed to improve educational attainment, including improving school websites and making wireless broadband standard. However, a more radical proposal involves allowing students to take “personal devices” into school to help with learning.

The move has received a cautious welcome from teachers, but there are concerns about how the plan would be implemented and how internet access would be monitored.

Following a summit on technology in schools this month, officials are working on a series of recommendations about how to improve internet use.

At present, individual local authorities are responsible for the use of mobiles, tablets and laptops in schools, with one council, Aberdeenshire, already allowing personal devices in classrooms.

It is hoped the success of such pilot projects could lead to a more co-ordinated national approach, although there are concerns about problems arising for pupils who cannot afford the devices.

Ann Ballinger, general secretary of the Scottish Secondary Teachers Association, said: “In theory, I don’t have a problem with any of this, but the practicalities of it are very difficult. What about students who don’t have these things and how do we deal with that so they don’t end up feeling isolated?

“It is also difficult to monitor the use of mobile devices and makes it difficult to for the teacher to know if the pupils is accessing inappropriate material. Kids are kids, they will always push the boundaries, so we need to have rules in place before schools are awash with iPads.”

While councils are responsible for the likes of wireless internet and firewall security, the Scottish Government is looking at recommendations which it hopes will improve online activity in schools. There is an acceptance that online communication between schools and parents needs to be improved, with better websites and consistency across Scotland.

This month’s summit heard from students who called for the same kinds of wireless access in schools as they currently find in coffee shops and fast-food restaurants.