Technologies enrich and impact on the lives of people and societies globally. Society needs enterprising students who can make discerning decisions about the development and use of technologies, develop solutions to complex challenges and contribute to sustainable patterns of living. Technologies can play an important role in transforming, restoring and sustaining societies and natural, managed and constructed environments.

The Western Australian Curriculum: Technologies describes two distinct but related subjects:

• Design and Technologies, in which students use design thinking and technologies to generate and produce solutions for authentic needs and opportunities
• Digital Technologies, in which students use computational thinking and information systems to define, design and implement solutions.

In an increasingly technological and complex world, it is important to develop knowledge and skills to analyse and creatively respond to design and/or digital challenges.

Through the practical application of technologies including digital technologies, students develop dexterity and coordination through experiential activities. Technologies motivates young people and engages them in a range of learning experiences that are transferable to family and home, constructive leisure activities, community contribution and the world of work.

Technologies provide students with authentic learning challenges that foster curiosity, confidence, persistence, innovation, creativity, respect and cooperation. These attributes are necessary when using and developing solutions to make sense of complex ideas and relationships in all areas of learning. Technologies help students to be regional and global citizens, capable of actively and ethically communicating and collaborating.

Wellard Primary School is not a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) school. The school has set up its technology platform exposing students in Years K – 3 to an Apple platform (iPads) and students in Years 3 – 6 to and Apple and Windows (HP Notebooks 430 G3) platform.

We have leased 30 iPads (120 in total) in every teaching block and 30 HP Notebooks (60 in total) in Teaching Blocks 3 & 4.

It is important to note the following:

• Wellard Primary School will have a focus on only using technology where it will enhance student learning.
• We want to use technology to develop curiosity within each child and provide them with the opportunity to become self-reflective expert learners.
• Our core business is focussed on improving literacy and numeracy in the context of a well -rounded education.
• The school will need to develop a solid “reason for change” before engaging with the school community about initiating a BYOD Program.