Teach Secondary 13.5

Hel lo? smartphones, tablets and/or laptops in classrooms that bear little resemblance to traditional ‘computer rooms’. The ability to access technology anywhere, at any time viaWi-Fi has been a genuine game-changer, completely bypassing the cabling requirements that were once such an important edtech consideration. Auseful combination At the same time, however, we can’t ignore the fact that students will also benefit greatly from getting to use more powerful desktop machines and laptops that run full operating systems, such asWindows, OS-X and Linux. These higher specificationmachines will have more memory and much greater storage capacity, and enable access to specialist, subject-specific software like computer aided design tools for D&T projects and digital audio workstations for music lessons. It should be noted that ‘Full OS computers’ can also help to familiarise students with the sorts of productivity software, file formats and data storage methods that are commonplace in the modern workplace. Would it not be better for students to use a combination of all these devices – ‘light’ computers, as well as more heavy duty workstations? I genuinely believe it would. Not just for the valuable knowledge of how PCs and modern operating systems work, and the history of how they came to be what they are now, but also for how they can be upgraded to become faster and more efficient. Another important factor to bear inmind is that of accessibility, and the potential need among students with SEND for inclusive and supporting software that might be compatible with comparatively ‘open’ environments likeWindows, but less so with the likes of ChromeOS or iOS. Having access to, and the knowledge needed to grasp the technologies being used daily in workplaces right now will ultimately help your students be better prepared for entering employment. There are still a great number of companies that rely on traditional desktop machines and operating systems, whether it be due to choice or budgetary reasons. Giving your learners opportunities to use and understand desktop machines will ultimately give them a greater appreciation for the many different uses that specialist software can be put to, and provide some important lessons in the capabilities of non-mobile computing devices. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rob Wraith is head of learning technology and digital learning at NCG – a group of seven colleges across the UK; for more information, visit ncgrp.co.uk WORKSTATIONS VERSUS DEVICES 1 ChromeOS, iOS and Android-based devices can effectively turn any classroom into a ‘computer room’ , enabling classes to instantly access and engage with digital learning content. 2 Computers that run Windows, OS-X or Linux can used to demonstrate the use and purpose of software commonly encountered in modern employment. 3 Maintaining, repairing and upgrading the hardware components of Windows, Linux and (to a lesser extent) OS-X devices is often less expensive than replacing ‘light laptops’ and other mobile devices, which are typically not user- servicable. 4 PCs can provide access to specialist software and file formats that might not be accessible via mobile devices. 5 PCs and laptops afford access to larger screens and sometimes specialist software designed to support students with SEND; modern mobile devices usually include a number of accessibility features as standard (scaleable interfaces, verbal menu prompts), but these can be limited. I N A S S O C I AT I O N W I T H 81 teachwire.net/secondary