Children accessing digital devices: devices being delivered to homes

Digital devices in home

Background

It has long time been argued by principals and teachers that the government should provide schools with digital devices in order to meet the digital learning needs of our students. Today's world is one that is digitally connected for so many purposes that it has almost, become a human right. For example, one of the main arguments for introducing the 'Digital curriculum' has been the need for New Zealanders to be able to have the skills that would enable them to actively take part in the ever sophisticated digital economy. At a cost of some $88 million dollars the Covid-19 crisis has facilitated one of the biggest educational policy shifts in decades. The introduction of computers for our students is a game changer if we as educators can manage the change.

Several weeks before the school closed we could see that the closure of schools was looming. At school, the most important thing we did was to ensure we had the emails of all parents. The other thing that we did was we planned to provide learning opportunities for students from a distance. We did two things, we prepared hard copy material resources and we planned a digital curriculum. The major barrier for our students was going to be access to devices.

Data collection

On early Friday afternoon, the 3rd of April all principals in New Zealand received an email directing us to a secure Ministry of Education (MOE) site where we were asked to provide information regarding student access to digital devices and where students were living during the lock down. The information needed to be to the MOE by Monday. The email was followed up, about an hour later by a phone call by the school's senior advisor to see whether or not we had received the email. This as you can imagine, led to a flurry of active. Principal's want to do the best they can for their communities.

At our school, I emailed every family, we Face booked and apped out. I also rang all of my teachers, touching base by phone with a couple of parents. By early Sunday morning most parents who were going to respond had done so. The file was uploaded to the MOE early Sunday afternoon.

Results

By the time we had finished we discovered about four families who were not staying in their normal addresses during lock down including one family who had relocated to Hamilton. For about eight or nine students, we are not clear what is happening at all because we have been unable to make contact. We are looking at 72% of our students needing devices i.e. 123 devices. This is because: 1. the school and families have not had the financial ability to provide this level of support and 2. our school policy to this point has looked at focusing digital learning in the senior end of the school. (The reason for this is that there is evidence to suggest our students get too much screen time.)

The roll out

The roll out for the delivery of these devices is scheduled to take place starting next week. I understand that students who require devices for NCEA are being catered for first. Yesterday an email was sent to principals from Iona Holsted who is the secretary of Education. She wrote:

Concern

In talking with our schools MOE advisor, a major concern many principals have is the accuracy of our databases for where our families are currently living. It is possible that devices may be delivered to the wrong addresses. If you know that your address is not correct please contact us immediately.

Device ownership

The devices being delivered are for the purpose of students being able to access learning. They are part of the school's assets and are therefore owned by the school. In the database set up by the MOE there is a record being kept of every serial number and to which student it is being delivered to. On return to school students will use these devices as part of their learning. Year one to threes will have access to Ipads and Year four to eights access to Chromebooks.

Chris Hipkins in the New Zealand Herald 9th April

Internet access

Internet access is another issue that is going to be tackled. We wait for further information regarding this.

They call this Friday Good. Please enjoy it and the Easter break.