Doug Loader
Closing the ATAR gap with predictive analytics

How data can inform staff and influence student achievement.

Closing the ATAR gap with predictive analytics
Doug Loader
Western Australian School NAPLAN Performance ...

How did your school perform against the national NAPLAN average?

Western Australian School NAPLAN Performance 2011 - 2019
Apple Education
Doug Loader
iPad workshop: Resources and thoughts

This week I presented to about 30 parents, to help them and their children use an iPad for learning. We covered many topics including Apple IDs, Family Sharing and apps for learning.

iPad workshop: Resources and thoughts
education
Doug Loader
An iPad workshop to empower parents

This school holiday period I will be running an iPad workshop for parents. The 2 hour workshop will address issues surrounding better management of the iPad at home, and some techniques that can be used to promote positive learning outcomes while at school.

An iPad workshop to empower parents
Apple Education, education
Doug Loader
Confessions of an IT manager

It is clear that our students are moving into a workforce that is both unpredictable and precarious. With constant reminders that computers and automation will replace many professions in the future, it is recommended that we “teach differently”. Schools are being challenged to create young minds that are rich in interpersonal skills, ones that are creative, collaborative, and above all, resilient.

Confessions of an IT manager

iTunes allowance

Manage your child's spend on iTunes with Allowances

As I was adjusting my credit card details through iTunes I spotted an option which will help parents who have children at BYOD iPad schools (like mine) to manage their child's spend. Set up an iTunes Allowance This little known feature allows one iTunes account (with a registered credit card) to credit another account each month. For example you as a parent could credit your child's account with an allowance each month, enabling them to purchase apps as requested by your school. The child account does not have to have a credit card associated with it and will receive credit each month until you stop the allowances. This might be very useful for the first few weeks of a new school term. Equally this could be a good way to manage an over enthusiastic app/digital music purchaser.

How to set up the iTunes Allowance:

  1. Open itunes, click on the iTunes Store in the left hand column and then sign in with your "Parent" apple ID.
  2. Now that you're signed in, click on your apple ID (email address) in the top left and select Account. Access your Account
  3. In the Settings section click "Set up Allowance"
  4. Now just specify your son/daughters Apple ID and select the allowance you wish to grant them each month displaying the iTunes allowance window

The only issue at present is the minimum monthly allowance only goes as low as $20. However I have contacted the Apple iTunes Team and hopefully this will be reduced to as little as $5.