One to One Learning
Brighton Secondary School has a vision to be the school of choice for the holistic education of boys and girls.
In keeping with the National Educational Goals for Young Australians, we aim to promote and to lead world’s best practice for curriculum delivery and assessment and improve the educational outcomes for all students.
We want our students prepared for the 21st century and envisage a One to One Macbook program for all students, to achieve more engagement with the curriculum. The Macbook program provides a vehicle for a personalised learning program and supports a constructivist approach to creating curriculum.
Governing Council has endorses the One to One Learning program and approves the financial commitment based on a formal poll of parents/caregivers. Every student from Year 9 is supplied with a Macbook to use 24 / 7 for the duration of their education at Brighton Secondary School. The Macbook remains the property of the school during this period.
Project Background and Implementation
Since 2008, the Brighton Secondary School community has worked in collaboration to progress towards One to One Learning. We have involved all members of the school community in the design and implementation of the project.
As a result, the Governing Council at its meeting on September 28 2008 unanimously passed the following:
“That Brighton Secondary School implement a One to One Learning Program with laptops in Year 9 2009, with a view to expanding the program to all year levels by 2013.”
“That the Brighton Secondary School Governing Council endorses the purchase of Apple Macintosh computers for the One to One Learning with laptop program.”
Accordingly, the school leadership team began working intensively to design and implement the One to One Learning Program, in collaboration with the school community and DECD Department for Education and Child Development. We developed critical relationships with experts in the field to learn from their experience. Our critical relationships now include liaison with:
- Angus King, former Governor of Maine, USA who in 2000 implemented a One to One Learning Program in every school in the state.
- Bruce Dixon, founder and president of the Anywhere Anytime Learning Foundation who works with schools around the world to develop visionary leadership and knowledgeable, innovative educators.
- Apple Computer Corporation who have supported schools, districts and states around the world to implement One to One Learning Programs.
- DECD Department for Education and Child Development personnel including the Digital Education Revolution, Learning Technologies and Technology and Knowledge Management teams.
- SASPSA colleagues through the Digital Education Revolution forums who meet regularly to share best practice.
Through our inquiry-based approach we have ensured that our One to One Learning Program has:
- A vision that seeks to fundamentally transform the educational experience.
- Inclusive leadership that involves the school community in design, implementation and review
- A staff Macbook program that precedes the student Macbook program.
- A coordinated approach to professional development and staff who are prepared to adopt new methodologies to improve teaching and learning.
- Selection of a partner who will assist with student support, professional development, technical expertise, administrative tasks and practical implementation rather than a simply a computer vendor
As a result of the commitment made by staff at Brighton Secondary we were selected to be in the first group of schools to receive wireless infrastructure upgrading.
Learning Technologies
The school vision is enacted through all Learning Areas with innovative use of the latest technologies.
This includes:
- All teaching staff have a Macbook to prepare and deliver lessons
- Daymap Learner Management System.
- Over 40 Interactive Whiteboards and large displays in the school.
- Several specialist ICT labs including Soundhouse, CAD, Photography, Media and iMac labs.
