1. Introduction
Title: To Tech or Not To Tech.......
Written By Afolake (Fola) Akinfe.
Published By: RM educational
In Magazine: Lambeth Your Inform Summer edition 2013
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Technology revolution is global. Technology is a common placed phrase in every sphere of
life, learning included. To be called a nerd with regards to being ICT savvy does not carry a
negative connotation as it did in days gone by. The late Steve Job was an icon, albeit, not a
Adonis. Bill Gates name, brings up images of the perfect he-man of success, the alpha macho
tech man. Technology revolution is global, far reaching and impacts on a daily basis on how
we homo sapiens live our lives: in our homes, workplace, social environments and within
learning.
Within the spheres of learning, terminologies such as IT (Information Technologies), ICT:
(Information & Communications Technologies), Computing (Computer Science), and
learning technologies (referring of course to the application of IT & ICT tools to enable and
enhance teaching and learning) are all prominent during the process of self review
framework (SRF) use of ICT. With this in mind, I was instantly interested in the ICT
technology Loans Library set up by RM Resources. The scheme which offers all members
access to loan out LT facilities have inadvertently offered the student body at Archbishop
Tenison,s different opportunities to learning strategies through the use of loanable equipment
such as I pads, Flip Camera,s and chargeable microphones.
To regress, quoting Michael Gove MP at the Schools Network Conference held on 01/12/11
at which he stated that("Children are increasingly embracing technology at a younger age.
Yet the classrooms of today do not reflect these changes"). This is a state of affair that
mirrors my concern about students within areas such as differentiation in understanding basic
technologies terminologies, security in technology, or preparing students how to be ICT
literate, and understanding that the way forward in learning, is along the digital pathway.
With these concerns in mind, my visions for the students at ATS, is to ensure that students
are readily equipped with ICT related study skills and an awareness which will relevant in
further and higher education.
The starting point at Archbishop Tenison,s school library is the the slow incorporation into
study, research and learning strategies the use of differentiated ICT devices & interactive
technology to enhance and enable the learning and retention process. So thanks to RM for
providing this opportunity, because as a librarian it has provided tools that can be used as a
starting point. Technology is changing the world and lives of the young people, therefore
schools need to conform and adapt to this change. Students need to be equipped with IT
skills that is irapidly globalising learning.
LEARNING STYLES AND TRAITS.

2. As a librarian one trend that I build service delivery around is the recognition of
differentiated learning types that students have and use to learn. The way forward in
supporting this includes digitalised learning oppurtunities. By understanding and
recognising these traits, learning technologies are adaptable to enhance learning styles.
Example of learning styles that LT support are:
1.Visual Learners: learning through seeing. Examples include: the use of the I pad for
reading, graphics,.
2.Auditory learners: learning through the verbal or oral.examples include recordings,
audiobooks, music. At Ats the creation of audio fiction reading group provides a new method
of reading.
3.Tactile learners or Kinetic learners: these type of learners are hands on learners. The feel
of the learning tool is the attraction and the availability of interactive technologies entices
boys to read, research.etc.
Based on these learning types, the I pad has proved to be versatile in all areas, it does not
encompasses and support all needs and learning requirements, but to a certain degree
addresses the needs of differentiated learning modes.
For example:
READING: which is favoured by both tactile and and visual learners provides an attractive
option to books. Boys according to a study by PPTAS, are interested in different technology,
and the I pad has offered an avenue to combine both.
PDF BOOKS: cost effective e-books are downloaded onto the I pad, which students can then
use for solo read ups within the library or as a to-browse tool.
E BOOK READER APPS: provides a platform where different readers can be tested at no
cost to the school. Open sources publications www.bookboon.com offers free curriculum
relevant titles such as free, such as E.G. kindles, kobo.
LISTENING:for learners whose learning style preference is auditory or orally.
· Audiobooks
· Podcasts
· Mp3 Files
All accessible through the interface of the I pad. At Archbishop Tenison’s, the library
subscribes to www.listeningbooks.org.uk. The bulk of the organisation’s database are audio
files. Currently, students are encouraged to download files and the library regularly promotes
the resource as an alternate option to the written text. So this is an interactive study resource
on the go, the students can study anywhere and anytime. An example of a good title to start
senior keystages with that I would personally recommend is White Tiger by Adiga. Brilliant
narrative skills, this might even entice the students to the availability of different career
options. As an introductory strategy, student come into the library and have the option of
listening to items on a trial basis to familiarise themselves with its potential. Smartphones
come into its own here

3. BEHAVIOUR: The I-pad is revolutionary in the way it modifies, affects or tampers
behaviour. At Archbishop Tenison's, we have a small compact library, therefore it is important
that student behaviour is monitored to avoid screams like a banshees (I mean me!). I now use
the I-pad and educational games to quell the restless nature of the loudest student. An
example would be the game, Temple Run or a hidden object game, which proves to be an
excellent distraction from bad behaviour. When the naughtiest student comes to ask for the I-
pad, a promise is always made and that is often, “I Promise Miss, I will be quiet”. They
normally are. I mean, no boy wants to miss the chance of beating the last score of the Temple
Run game / miss the next stage in the Temple Run series....
BOOK REVIEWS: (Digital Text) the I-pad is extremely useful for downloading e-books,
PDF formatted books or even mobi formatted e books for smartphones. As a Librarian, I have
observed that boys have a real interest and aptitude for, digital reading. The I pad provides an
opportunity to engage and encourage switched-off boys to read.
At Archbishop Tenisons the library uses the automated cataloging system, Eclipse.net by
Microlibrarian, which is now introducing, the Reading cloud, which is part of their innovative
21st century approach to engaging young people in the key skills of reading and writing.This
has provided the library with a ready made oppurtunity to drive up literacy standards and
develop core reading skills.
SEN: (Special Education Needs): I am always interested in investigating the resources
available that support with a differentiated needs. The I pad has provided opportunity to
download applications on a free trial basis. This has proven to be invaluable in terms of cost,
mobility, and the demonstrative interface availability, which would have been costly,
cumbersome to say the least. In these lean times , it is very important to develop and invest in
resources that are multifunctional. For example, apps such as Autism apps like autism
assessment (recognising symptoms), Running social story, (Social Skills), 1 Little Boy
(Reading Strategy), Temple run (Reflex & Behavioural Developments).
REVISION APPS: applications such as My exams( develops self responsibility skills), my
study plan provides students with a accessible app on their phones that improve time
management skills, schoolbook, USA useful app for time tabling different classes for the
different weeks of the term.
SELF CPD DEVELOPMENT: I use the I-pad to download documents, open sources
resources, free apps that provide additional skills and knowledge in supporting our target
clientele. Examples of apps that have proven to be useful in terms of it,s cost, mobility and
accessibility include, the Decimator for classification, Dewey Decimal Numbers for
classification updates, Librarians for library files, information links and directional advice for
remote access, and Web 2.0 which provides lists of the latest publications for the forward
thinking librarian.
WEBSITE READING: In summary, PLTS (Personal Learning and Thinking skills ) is that
gel that would produces the confident and capable learner. In doing this schools must review
and evaluate study and basics skills support to create independent students that would
proceed to further education college and further. At Archbishop Tenison,s school in line with

4. these aims, the inclusion of different forms of interactive technologies will and if permitted
creat students to be:
1. Independent Enquirers
2.Team Workers
3. Creative Thinkers
4. Self Managers
5. Reflective Learners
6. Effective Participants
So here goes.. The I-pad is an extremely versatile resource. I must admit, I used to be quite
skeptical whenever I saw people using them. But I have been proven wrong. The impacts of
the I-pad listed as listed above are not limited. But we all know, learning is always the focal
point in schools, especially classroom deliveries. But it is worth remembering that after
cascading and assimilation in the classroom environment, retention should follow closely
behind. Retention is part of the continuum that defines learning and that is where
libraries come in. One of my students told me once, “Miss, you have an easy job, all you
do is read books”. I smiled, and thought if that is the perception of what a librarian is , that
is I that must dispell, and I believe that the I-pad will be the starting point at Archbishop
Tenison School.