In today’s digital world, deciding when and how to introduce devices to young learners is a top priority for any school. Here, Bridget Compton-Moen, our Head of Junior School, explains the intentionally different path we take for our girls in Year 0-6.
Delaying Digital Pressure
Many New Zealand primary schools run a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program, requiring families to purchase a device early on. We have deliberately bucked this trend. Because St Margaret’s College provides all the devices used in our classrooms, you do not need to supply a laptop or iPad for school.
This approach helps delay the digital pressure and challenges that inevitably come with girls owning personal devices, keeping childhood focused on the analogue world for a little longer.
Grounded in Science
Our carefully considered approach to screens is strongly supported by cognitive science. Research consistently shows that handwriting engages fine motor skills and supports learning in ways that typing simply cannot match. Writing letters by hand creates strong neural pathways that significantly boost memory, retention, and understanding.
Because of these proven cognitive benefits, the use of pencil and paper learning remains a core priority for us. In fact, right through to Year 5, we dedicate time to handwriting practice up to four times a week.
In our everyday classroom routines, we are discerning about when and how iPads are used. They are integrated only when they really do enhance the learning.
Developing Confident Digital Citizens
At the same time, we know our girls must grow into capable, confident digital citizens. We are incredibly fortunate to have an exceptional Digital Technology specialist teacher who works weekly with each class. Their lessons cover a rich variety of skills as laid out in the refreshed New Zealand Technology Curriculum:
- Coding & Robotics: Building logic, problem-solving skills, and resilience.
- EPro8 Engineering Challenge: Fostering engineering mindsets and collaborative thinking.
- Digital Creativity: Using tools like iMovie with green screens so the girls can document and present their learning creatively.
- Unplugged Learning: For our youngest girls, much of the instruction is hands-on and screen-free, teaching computational thinking away from devices altogether.
- Steps in the Design Cycle: Investigate, plan, create and evaluate.
By combining College-funded classroom technology, expert specialist teaching, and intentionally keeping core learning time low-tech, we believe we have struck the perfect balance. We are preparing our girls for a digital future without rushing them through the low-tech years of growing up.
