Anne Munro (headteacher) discussed with us the impact that she believes the iPad pilot has been having on learning in the school. She commented on the iPad itself and felt that the enhanced flexibility that it offered with the immediate access to ongoing work, the internet and a range of supportive apps/resources was a significant factor in the developing confidence and enhanced attitudes to learning she was seeing in her pupils. The school had worked with parents and through focus groups and written evaluations they had found out that there was evidence of greater parental engagement with learning at home over the course of the pilot. Mrs Munro was also pleased that a visit from HMIE had led to a series of positive comments on what was being observed in terms of impact on learning. She believed that the iPad pilot was contributing to the school’s aim to transform the learning culture of the school so that it led to high aspirations at all times, leading to improvement in standard, attainment and outcomes for learners.

Bellshill Academy: Impact on Learning1 Interview 1 with Mrs Munro (HT) about impact on learning

Mrs Munro shared with us a story about the positive impression that was created by pupils involved with the pilot who were asked to plan, prepare, present and host a workshop for senior mnagers at a local authority event. What she saw at this event made her think something positive was happening for learners involved with the pilot. It was not only the young people’s ability to use the technology that caught the eye but the confidence with which they delivered the workshop and how they responded to questions. She saw these S2 learners becoming the teachers and the facilitators for the adults in the room.

Bellshill Academy: Impact on learning 2 Interview 2 with Mrs Munro (HT) about impact on learning

Willie Davidson shared with us his initial cynicism about what he though was the ‘gimmick’ of the always-connected tablet device in the classroom and how his chance observation of learners working independently in class with them made him re-evaluate his opinion and begin to think that perhaps there is something in this after all.

Bellshill Academy: Impact on learning 3 Interview with Mr Davidson (The Learning Centre)  about impact on learning