DIGITAL RADLEY
RADLEY
INTRODUCTION We are preparing young men for an ever-changing world. We aim to equip all boys to: be digitally literate - to be able to use computers effectively in education, in the workplace and socially be organised - through the use of digital tools, such as calendars and to-do lists be self-reliant - we will support the boys throughout the school but, as they get older, we increasingly teach them how to help themselves understand how technology is changing and recognise the potential and dangers of new developments such as AI be digitally smart - to make the right choices to protect themselves from cyberbullying, cyber-crime and computer addiction For those boys who want to take IT further we aim to provide exciting opportunities for them to pursue their interests through qualifications, coding and robotics.
DIGITAL LITERACY The Shell 1-1 iPad Scheme
The initial focus is on:
Our 1-1 iPad scheme (which launched in September 2020) promotes a modern way of working and learning, whilst also allowing us to restrict which applications are available and strike a balance between digital and traditional methods.
Using the Microsoft 365 (Office) suite. Through project based learning and exposure to productivity software, boys are encouraged to discover the capabilities of these applications.
Digital inking is made possible via the touch screen and stylus. This gives the boys a user-friendly interface for annotation and note-taking including mathematical symbols and diagrams. The digitisation of boys’ work allows them to explore new avenues of creativity.
Shell Digital Literacy Lessons Boys arrive at Radley with different levels of exposure to IT. But by the end of the Shell year Digital Literacy lessons will have given them the skills necessary to complete tasks in a timely fashion and without overly relying on others.
An understanding of security and safety online. Modern ways to work, using cloud storage, Teams and OneNote for collaboration, providing them with the tools to work in a flexible and efficient digital environment. An introduction to touch typing, with ongoing progress tracking throughout the Shell year (and beyond). Following the first term we progress to basic coding examples to develop their computational thinking. These skills are integrated into the curriculum across departments, including digital art techniques and computer-aided design.
Digital Inking is key to the project, allowing pupils to create notes in a natural way.
BEYOND THE SHELLS Monitoring and Training
Certification
We are using Nulia, a software package which monitors how the boys use the Microsoft systems such as Word, Excel and Powerpoint. It promotes training through suggested next steps, enabling pupils to progress at a tailored pace and making them aware of the possibilities of the various applications and their tools. Virtual “badges” are awarded for different levels of achievement, providing evidence of skills to future employers. The badges can be displayed on the older boys’ LinkedIn profiles.
Where applicable, we will look to certify those who wish to demonstrate their accomplishments through Microsoft Office Specialist exams, and other associated accreditations relevant to their areas of study. Ethics Boys encouraged to think through and debate the ethics of technology. Issues such as the AI protocols programmed into driverless cars, the harvesting of personal data by big companies and the role of social media in politics and social change are covered in our lecture programme.
TIMELINE Shell
Remove
Fifth
6.1
6.2
Boys are issued with their iPads; their digital literacy course begins through weekly computer science classes. They finish the year with a review of touchtyping achievements, progress through Office applications, and a class test on digital literacy.
We continue to expect boys to use iPads to take notes digitally in lessons. During the year, boys may want to obtain a second device (e.g. a laptop) to keep in their rooms for heavier working sessions. Digital literacy continues to be developed through the wider curriculum and monitoring of their Microsoft 365 activity. Those who have not already done so may find it prudent to consider a second device suited to A-level subjects and beyond. The iPad becomes a companion device for note taking and everyday tasks, as the boys become used to working in a modern and digital manner. At the end of this year, boys will be able to keep their iPad and we remove our management system.
Boys are given the option to gain accreditation of their skills using various Microsoft applications through Microsoft Office Specialist exams, alongside certification in applications from Adobe and Autodesk (specifically for Art and Design). Curriculum Extension options will also include data science for various academic disciplines, as well as coding and robotics projects.
DIGITAL PLUS All boys need to understand how to use computers effectively, but some will want to take this a step further. Computer Science GCSE (Y10, 11)
Curriculum Extension Projects (Y12)
For boys with an interest in coding and technology, there is the option of Computer Science at GCSE. Throughout this course, boys will learn the basics of coding, computational thinking, algorithms, computer architecture and ethics, to name a few of the topics.
Boys will be given the opportunity to expand on robotics projects from the Robotics Club, and offered support on coding projects of their own interests. A data science course is also offered, in which boys will look at the skills needed to analyse data (using Python), applying it to various fields of study. These projects introduce the idea of ‘digital humanities’ to prepare boys for the increasing use of data and analytics in disciplines such as Geography and History, alongside more conventional areas in science and technology. We also offer intensive courses in Microsoft Office applications and certification in the use of Autodesk and Adobe.
Coding Club To boys who are interested, Radley offers the opportunity to code recreationally within the Coding Club and also to be supported in national competitions around coding, cryptography and cybersecurity, including the British Informatics Olympiad, Bebras and Cyberdiscovery, among others.
Online Courses Robotics Club Vex Robotics provides an experience beyond the curriculum for Removes to 6.1 in competitive robotics, stretching boys’ abilities in design, engineering, programming and teamwork. Teams compete in the global Vex Robotics Competition, building towards National and Global finals. Boys develop machines to take part in an annually changing game, producing autonomous movement and innovative mechanisms to solve the game’s challenges.
For boys with an interest in learning the basics of coding, or wanting to discover the capabilities of other computer languages, there are many online courses. Codecademy has many useful introductory courses for boys to begin learning and investigating code; if boys are unsure where to start, they can speak to the Head of Computer Science.
DIGITAL SAFETY Technology is a major force for good in education and socially, but there are also dangers. The debate continues across society about how we should - if we should control access. Radley is a bridge between the controlled environments of prep schools and the freedom of universities. Our approach is to guide boys from regulation to self-regulation. We filter access to the internet and restrict the times boys can be online. But over-regulation does not work, as inventive boys can find work-arounds, such as bypassing the filtering with mobile data or having a second phone when the main one is handed in. The answer is therefore education. eSafety is an important feature of both the Shell Digital Literacy course and the PSHE programme throughout the lower school. Boys are taught about the importance of password strength, to think before they click, to be aware of the dangers of handing over personal data and to know their legal responsibilities.
They are instructed about the benefits and pitfalls of social media, and how injudicious posts can haunt them in the future. Cyber-bullying is bullying and is treated as such by the Tutors and the Pastoral Team. Not all screen time is detrimental, and even computer games are not inherently evil! More recently, gaming has become a much more sociable activity. But, like boxset bingeing, games can become addictive and sap huge amounts of time which could be spent doing more productive things. Radley offers an exceptional range of activities and Tutors and Form Masters will guide the boys to make best use of these and to reflect on their digital usage.
Advice for parents on how they can implement screen time controls on different devices can be found at the link below: Digital Wellbeing - advice for parents
Our mantras: Switch off / Heads up / Good manners Is it mine? / Is it decent? / Is it fair? / Is it kind?