The Western Australian Government has announced a $1 million initiative to deliver iPads for the state’s highest potential students to ‘use touch technology to boost their literacy and numeracy skills’.

 

Premier Colin Barnett and Education Minister Liz Constable today announced a new Early Childhood iPad Initiative would provide nearly 900 iPads for Year 1 and 2 classes in 17 schools, and two mentor schools that have previously participated in a pilot iPad program.

 

“Western Australian teachers are tailoring programs to suit individual students, right from the moment they arrive at pre-primary,” Mr Barnett said.


“Our new on-entry assessments of pre-primary students give teachers vital information about the skills our youngest students possess as they enter school, and we are delivering the tools teachers need to best connect with young students.”


Dr Constable said 17 schools had been selected to participate in the $1million program.


“The schools range from Parkfield Primary School in the South-West, to Kalgoorlie Primary School in the Goldfields and Baler Primary School in the Pilbara,” she said.


Dr Constable said iPad apps had the potential to bring mathematics and reading to life for young students, engaging them in their education.


“Students are very confident with the technology generally, and are excited to use iPads. This can only be good for their education. Last year, the teachers piloting this program found that in particular, young boys responded very well when using programs on iPads to develop their reading skills,” she said.


“Tablet computers are tactile and interactive, which allow students to learn and practise maths skills such as counting patterns, times tables, shape identification, counting money and telling time.


“For reading, there are apps available which make learning phonics, spelling and fluency in reading more engaging for students.”


The Minister said teachers involved in the initiative would draw on the expertise of teachers from mentor schools Settlers Primary School and Aubin Grove Primary School, who had pioneered iPads as literacy and numeracy teaching tools with their students.