There’s something exciting about what’s going on at John Mahood.
Students and staff alike are celebrating the arrival of 20 iPads, the culmination of the fundraising work of the entire school community.
The iPads will be used by students of all ages and abilities, and will be a welcome addition to the more traditional ways of learning the curriculum.
Just watching one student, Kyle Austin, navigate his way through the various education apps on one of the iPads shows the potential promise of these tools.
Children, after all, aren’t afraid of technology — they embrace it.
Students who might be intimidated at the thought of reading in front of the class will revel at the chance of telling their own stories, by dictating them to the iPad, and later editing the statements for clarity.
Those that are visually inclined will enjoy some of the more artistic applications, ones that allow works of art to be created.
Still others will enjoy the chance to play a piano or the bongos, all while sitting in the comfort of their music class.
The great thing about all of these various applications available on these devices is that any student, regardless of age, ability will be able to use the iPad — making it easier for a child with a learning disability to actively participate in a class project.
It’s an exciting approach, one that we suspect will reap many rewards in the months and years to come, as students get a chance to show what they really can do — perhaps, for the first time.
We congratulate the team at John Mahood, for having the vision to pursue this educational tool for their students. We also congratulate the parents, grandparents and friends of students at John Mahood who so generously supported the fundraising needed to bring the iPads to the school.
It is a worthwhile investment in the future, one that will engage and entertain young minds, as they embrace a new way of learning.
FEES AND CHARGES
Once again, councillors are balking at the difficult business of increasing user rates for the township’s three arenas.
While we understand the concerns about the increased costs facing Woolwich Minor Hockey, we suggest councillors think long and hard before they reduce the rates that are currently proposed by township staff.
That’s because, ultimately, the township needs to consider the actual cost in running the ice pads in the Woolwich Memorial Centre — and how much of that cost should be borne by taxpayers.
While there may be many taxpayers who also have children in minor hockey, there are also many who do not. Is it really fair to ask them to pay more than their share, for a service they do not receive?
Food for thought, in upcoming discussions on user rates.