As digital learning became more accessible, Carey was one of the early adopters. Our Digital Learning Program (DLP) enables one-to-one devices for students – that is, each student has either an iPad (Junior School) or a laptop (Middle and Senior School) issued by the School to enhance and streamline their educational experience. The focus of the DLP has always been on understanding the needs of families regarding device usage and its impact on learning.
Technology has significantly advanced since Carey introduced the program, in ways that impact our young learners both positively and negatively. The speed of these advancements, especially with the emergence of AI, means that the rate of improvement and potential risks will never be as slow as today.
We have seen many positive uses of technology in education, enhancing learning experiences and providing new opportunities for our students. However, there are also challenges, such as the impact of social media and the difficulty for families and students to distinguish between productive and addictive use of devices.
Our goals and commitments
It is timely for us to pause, inquire, review and modernise how we support our students. We aim to partner with families to facilitate safe, responsible and age-appropriate use of technology, with a focus on device use. We hope to achieve a strong partnership and support between the School and families, developing digitally responsible and capable young learners.
Throughout Term 2, Carey engaged with parents, teachers and students to gather their perspectives on the digital landscape of the School. The intention of the research is to deepen our understanding of our community’s thoughts and feelings on technology, devices and internet usage at school and at home. Some of the notable questions and comments from parents included:
- How can I ensure my children's safety while respecting their privacy?
- I am dedicated to supporting the School's policies and seek clarity on the boundaries.
- I want my children to fully immerse themselves in the Carey experience, while also staying connected during camp.
- I am enthusiastic about my child developing digital skills and seek evidence on the impact of technology on their learning.
- How can I encourage balanced device usage when all their friends have them?
These are all valid queries which will be addressed in due course. Our next step is to work with the School Leadership Team to resolve these issues and continue to use technology to enable the values and goals of the School and our students.
The School expresses gratitude to those who participated and invested their time in this initiative. We would love to continue this inquiry with more parents in our community as we chart the School's course for the next several years.
What next?
The Tech Services team will continue to stay ahead of digital developments to ensure the DLP is meeting the needs of our students, teachers and families. We will guide the School in the development of necessary tools and resources in this digitally mediated world that we are living and working in.
We will also continue to provide community learning opportunities for parents who are concerned about particular aspects of the digital landscape their children are facing. Events like these will be promoted in future Carey Newsletters.
