Digital Devices

RGS Digital Devices

‘Digital Strategy’, is the term we are using to describe our increasing use of technology to deliver and reinforce teaching and learning, and the necessary hardware – specifically standardised digital devices – needed to facilitate this in and out of school. There are many benefits that technology can bring to how our students engage in learning, organise themselves and achieve better outcomes. Similarly, technology has many uses in supporting high quality teaching. As part of this, we are engaging with AI to ensure that its power can be harnessed to positive effect.

In 2020/2021 we made an investment in the provision of Microsoft Surface Pro digital devices for all teaching staff. In September 2022 we followed this with further investment in rolling out digital devices to be issued to students. From September 2023, all student in the Senior School will be issued with a one-to-one Surface Pro and there will be shared class sets of Surface Go devices in the Junior School.

Suffice to say, we are very excited about this newest innovation and the opportunities and benefits we are confident this will deliver.  I want to emphasise that our Digital Strategy is about so much more than the physical hardware; it is about the continuing evolution of our teaching and learning, making sure that we retain the best of traditional teaching, while accessing the growing technological advancements that can aide our children’s development for the 21st Century. 

I also reiterate that the continued investment in student Surface Pro devices is the same as any other school infrastructure, in that the costs are wrapped up in our school fees. As with any of the school’s resources, we need parents and students to be our partners in caring for and making the best use of our facilities, a message that I am keen for families to reiterate at home.

I do hope that this introductory video about our vision and what we are trying to achieve, along with the FAQs below will prove helpful but if you do have any remaining questions or even any comments, then please do let us know at communications@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk.

Geoffrey Stanford

Headmaster

Digital Strategy

Device Care and Use

Overview

Digital Devices at RGS

Which device has been chosen and why?

We have chosen Microsoft Surface Devices for both the Junior and Senior School students – Surface Pro in Senior School and Surface Go in Junior School. After much research and the experience of using the Surface Pro with our teaching staff, it was considered to be the best device that would provide the flexibility and quality of performance for our students. Surface Devices are a two in one touch screen tablet and laptop, with digital inking capability, which means that students can draw on the screen with a stylus.

When are the devices issued to students?

Junior School pupils have access to six class sets (i.e. 150 devices) of Surface Go devices. Junior School devices will not be assigned to individual pupils and will stay in school at all times.

The Senior School students will each be provided with a Surface Pro device. Students that were not issued a device in September 2022 or are new to the senior school will be issued with their Surface before the start of the Autumn Term 2023.

Teaching and Learning

How will the devices be used in lessons?

There are a wide range of activities that students and teachers will use the device for including audio and video recordings by staff and students providing richer content, demonstrations and feedback to assignments. Traditional learning activities can be made more engaging and immersive, providing many more opportunities for peer collaboration and allowing students to organise and adapt lessons for their own individual needs. Digital inking will provide many opportunities for annotating digital resources, drawing graphs and diagrams.

Will the device be used in every lesson?

Our teachers currently use a wide variety of tools to give the best possible learning experience to our pupils. They will continue to use their professional judgement and will utilise technology to support students in a blended learning environment. The ability to be fully numerate and to read and write fluently is still vitally important and our vision is that the device will help create learning experiences that are engaging, and in some cases truly transformative, whilst giving students the chance to enhance their digital skills.

How will handwriting be impacted?

Currently, the majority of assessments and external exams are still paper based. Therefore, handwriting and working on paper will be important and students will need to maintain their handwriting. The amount and frequency will vary from subject to subject but handwriting will continue to be incorporated into all areas of the curriculum. The device your child will receive has digital inking capability and the use of the Surface pen in applications such as OneNote or Whiteboard will still help encourage handwriting skills.

How important is typing speed?

What does the use of devices mean for the use of textbooks and paper resources in school?

Our teaching staff are already making use of many online textbooks and other online and digital resources. These provide far more flexibility as such resources can be combined with ease and are more accessible to all. By utilising the Office 365 applications, all work and resources are synced and backed up to the cloud, providing significant benefits for student organisation as work completed on paper can be captured digitally and stored electronically meaning nothing is lost. By reducing our use of paper will also lower our environmental impact.

How will this development prepare students for their future?

82% of UK job roles require digital skills and over 95% of universities and businesses are using Microsoft 365 with an expectation that all students will be digitally literate. Digital tools can support creativity and innovation, self-directed learning, collaboration and hybrid working. Increasing the use of technology in and out of the classroom will give our students a competitive advantage when they move on to the next stage of their education and beyond.

What might be the impact on behaviour management?

Expectations of student behaviour online or offline are outlined in our Acceptable User Policy, which is updated regularly and reinforced to all students. Once the devices are allocated we will be using a leading classroom management platform for teachers to monitor remotely and manage the student use of device in lessons, to ensure that students remain on task and that technology does not distract from learning.

Wellbeing and safeguarding

How does the introduction of devices fit with the school’s wellbeing strategy?

How will my child be kept safe?

Will students be on a screen all day?

Not at all. The devices are just one of many tools used by teachers to provide your child with the best education experience possible. The choice of device has included tablet functionality to allow more flexible and wide-ranging use of the device that encourages more mobility, so students are not sitting in front of a screen. We currently have areas of the school that are screen free zones during break times and this will continue to be the case.

Will students be able to access social media on their device?

The following questions refer only to the provision of devices in the Senior School

Why can’t my child use the device they already have?

When will my child get their device?

How much will the device cost?

Practicalities for Senior School students

Who owns and manages the device?

Will my child have the option to purchase the device when they leave RGS?

Bringing the device to and from school

What happens if the device is damaged, lost or stolen?

All devices will be covered for accidental damage and theft, but not for loss. There will be a procedure to arrange for a replacement device, which will be administered at school. An excess of £50 will be charged to your family for the first claim and then £150 for subsequent claims, however, each incident will be considered individually. The accessories (keyboard, case, charger and stylus) are not covered by our insurance.

Will the devices be charged at school?

All students must bring a fully charged device to school each morning. Failure to do so will have a negative impact on their learning. The Surface Pro has been chosen due to the reliable battery and power performance and research has shown that the device should last for a full day at school. However, there will be limited access to charging lockers and other charging points for students during the day if needed.

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