Learning Inspired by Curiosity and Passion

Should students take their iPads home?

The value of younger students completing homework is a contentious issue. As a division, we have been sharing posts that highlight the value of play, and others that propose that homework can actually be damaging to young students.

When debating the homework issue, we must acknowledge the difference between homework and home learning. While homework may be damaging, providing students with an opportunity to explore, be curious, and follow their passions, outside of normal school hours is desirable, if not essential.

A perfect illustration of a student following his passion occurred after a recent grade 5 class. The students had been introduced to the 'Stop Motion Studio' app. The classroom teacher was keen to try Shaun's idea of each student taking a selfie a day to compile a video of how they physically change during the course of a school year. The class explored the features of the free app and created an abbreviated version of their selfie video. Their teacher also used the app to make a stop motion video. I mentioned that we had iPad stands to hold the iPad still which assists in the making of a stop motion video. At 3:00 pm that Friday afternoon, rather than thinking of the weekend, the boy was focused on creating his own stop motion video. He appeared at my office asking for an iPad stand for the weekend. Unfortunately I did not have one on hand, so I let him know I would get one for him from the art room on Monday. He was so keen he ran down to his bus, dropped off his bag, came back up to my office and informed me that it would be OK, his bag was on the bus and he had 10 minutes before it would leave. Together we ran down to the art room, grabbed a stand, and he hurried back to his bus.

Over the course of the weekend he made a couple of stop motion videos - just fantastic for a first time effort. The videos displayed a sense of humor as well as story development. It was the perfect vehicle for him to demonstrate creativity and persistence.

Isn't this why students should take their iPads home?