Alderley Edge School for Girls is proud to be an Apple Distinguished School and Regional Training Centre!
Apple Distinguished Schools are centres of leadership and educational excellence that demonstrate Apple’s vision for learning with technology — and we believe they are some of the most innovative schools in the world.
Technology has changed the way we do many things, including the ways that we learn. By incorporating technology throughout our community, we empower students to be self-directed and collaborative learners. Since integrating iPad, we have boosted digital literacy, accessibility and engagement across the curriculum.
We were first awarded our Apple Distinguished School status in 2018, but our journey with iPad started over ten years ago back in 2013. Our vision was to create independent, digitally-literate learners through teaching experiences which are relevant, personalised, inspiring and memorable.
We created our Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) team, which includes students, teachers, technical staff and senior leadership among its members. In turn, this team created our TEL strategy, including blending existing teaching practices with innovative new methodology and technology - evolution not revolution - and ensuring both staff and their classrooms were equipped with the necessary skills and equipment.
The Benefits Of Using iPads In The Classroom
There are clear benefits to our use of iPad in the classroom. The vast majority of students are interested in technology, so incorporating devices like iPads in the classroom can enhance student interest and participation. iPad offers endless opportunities for the girls to express themselves creatively; they can make movies, produce music and program robots. Paper planners / diaries have been replaced by the homework app Satchel One, and students can access timetables and reports from our management information system; they can even access forms to order individual packed lunch!
A Personalised Experience
Students have different learning styles, and the iPad allows for a much more personalised experience based on their needs. We have a core set of apps and websites that all students and staff are familiar with, such as the Microsoft 365 apps, Foldr for file transfer and Kahoot! Yet individual departments can be much more specific, from using Augmented Reality Apps to peek inside the human body in Biology to providing umpire training in PE.
