North London based Winton Primary School has launched a ‘Devices for All’ fundraising campaign which aims to close the digital poverty gap by providing each of its pupils with access to a digital device both in school and at home.
Winton Primary School has long recognised the need for pupils to be able to access learning at home as well as at school. After a prolonged time out of the classroom during the Covid-19 lockdown, many pupils who have not had access to digital devices have found themselves deprived of learning and falling behind their peers.
Now, this digital access fundraising campaign seeks to ensure all families can continue learning at home with guaranteed access to a high-quality, bespoke curriculum.
The London Grid for Learning [LGfL] initiative known as ‘Bridging the Digital Divide’ is helping families access learning resources and activities remotely, and it is through this scheme that Winton Primary School is hoping to purchase much-needed digital devices at a fair price to ensure all pupils have an equitable education.
Discussing the fundraiser to help access the initiative, Winton Primary School headteacher, Claire Brown, said: “The blended learning model of our school means that children regularly learn using educational, online resources to improve their reading, writing, and Maths skills. With access to many wonderful, learning resources, children can explore beyond the curriculum and discover their next passion in the arts, sciences, humanities, and languages.
“LGfL is currently offering Winbooks, a Windows device, at an incredible price and we hope to take advantage and purchase as many devices as possible for September. With the use of a digital device and access to the internet, children will be able to explore possibilities they've only ever dreamed of. Accessibility tools will help all children, particularly those with special educational needs and English as additional language needs and will encourage the children to become independent learners and increase their digital skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication skills.”
Through online platforms on the devices, learners can complete and return online homework tasks, as well as educating themselves in a ‘flipped’ environment where they can bring learned knowledge to the classroom, thereby improving confidence in learning activities.
New skills such as computer programming, animation and 3D modelling can be picked up through the online platforms, with teaching done through educational video tutorials, step-by-step instruction, and ‘sandbox’ exercises.
Brown adds that the children will be able to develop “responsibility skills” through looking after their own digital devices and will continue to develop digital citizenship knowledge acquired through Common Sense Media Education, the school’s bespoke online safety curriculum.
Individuals who wish to donate to the Devices for All campaign can do so here.
