Hi,I am a student who attends Essa Academy and would like to start by saying that the whole thing is a show.
When visitors such as the BBC, heads of other school, etc. come to our school and take a look at out lessons, students as well as staff must put on a show and demonstrate the use of iPads and technology. Teachers have been given a telling off after the visitors have gone if the IT was not demonstrated during lessons and also, a the SLT have said to the staff: "The students are not important. The visitors have more importance than the kids."
The 3D Theatre rarely get's used. In fact, the only time most students have ever been in there is when we first moved into the new build and a demo of the 3D Theatre was shown.
Books are not used as much as before but still are used very often.
iPad's can be helpful at times but they act as distraction's as many of us students play games/message on the iPads during lesson. The iPads have Mobile Device Management software installed on them (via Profiles) which allows staff to view all the information they need from our iPads. iPads do get confiscated but only when a teacher physically sees someone doing something which they're not supposed to be doing.
The iPads rarely get damaged as the school has provided us with a case and a bag.
The reason why results have slightly improved is not because of the iPads, but because of strict discipline which causes a change in our attitudes and things like compulsory after-school revision sessions.I'll be happy to reply to any questions or comments!
