Evaluating a 1-to-1 iPad project: beyond rose coloured glasses

Today’s digital world calls for contemporary pedagogical practice and curriculum that aligns with the relevance of today’s youth. Educators frequently use contemporary digital tools and innovative teaching and learning approaches to engage their students. A regional single sex high school implemented a 1-to-1 iPad program for the Year 8 -10 students with the aim of creating a technology rich learning environment with personalised access which would facilitate innovative teaching and learning opportunities and to promote personal learning with additional outcomes of independence, lifelong and life-wide learning for their students. In particular, this project investigates the use of the iPad at school and home for academic purposes and also examines the parental perceptions of the use of the device for learning. Survey data indicated that the implementation of the 1-to-1 iPad project had positive outcomes including enhanced learning opportunities and motivation for learning. However, during the initial phase of implementation, both parents and students had concerns regarding possible off–task behaviours of students when using the iPads