College offers state-of-the-art education (From Warrington Guardian)

Culcheth High School students to study on iPads

2:18pm Thursday 5th April 2012 in News

CUTTING edge technology can bring science to life creating colourful 3D images of a skeleton with bones that move – on a touchscreen.

After Easter, pupils at the £28 million new Culcheth High School will be able to study maths on 40 state-of-the-art Apple iPads, linked to Apple TVs so they follow work set by teachers.

The tablet-style devices, bought to replace Acer netbooks, will eventually be available for all 1,160 pupils as computers are updated.

Amanda Stevens, school business manager, said: “Every school needs ongoing investment in IT.

“We chose iPads because they are cheaper than other devices. There are also a multitude of free apps to support subjects across the whole curriculum.

“They have the advantage of having no keys to mess with.

“It is using a technology that is familar to children at home. Once we’ve got the network going properly, they will able to access their homework from home instead of having to download it on to a pendrive.”

Staff were invited to try out the new iPads at an iCake day.

Ms Stevens said: “In the past, some teachers were reticent to adapt to change but these iPads are so easy to use, they touched the screen and immediately enjoyed using the different applications.

“We will need to limit what applications are available for pupils.”

Science teachers experimented with molecular structures while art tutors brought characters to life through animation.

The school has a fully integrated network covering 1,000 devices and complete wi-fi coverage so staff and students can use their laptops, netbooks and Macbooks anywhere in the building.