By Amanda Murthy
A newly implemented Digital Creativity course for Year 7 and 8 students of Corpus Christi College has made a massive impact on students with disabilities.
Corpus Christi College is one of two co-educational high schools in Western Australia with the prestigious designation from Apple of being an Apple Distinguished School – with three teachers being given the prestigious title of being an Apple Distinguished Educator, of which there are only 2447 worldwide.
This means the teachers use iPad products in their curriculum to inspire student creativity, collaboration and critical thinking, with the aim of cultivating environments in which students are excited and curious about learning.
The college is a pioneering force in secondary education, with each student receiving a personalised learning experience with one-to-one devices and gaining core digital skills in photography, video, audio, and drawing.
Every week, students participate in two Digital Creativity lessons to help consolidate their learning.
Corpus Christi College Principal Caroline Payne said the Digital Creativity course aligns with the schools Vision for Learning “Ignite the Spirit”, which challenges every learner in the community to seize their potential and push the boundaries of possibility.
“Imaginative and innovative learners harness creativity and think in new and different ways, allowing them to solve problems using a variety of different approaches,” Ms Payne cited.
“This course prepares our students to be life-long learners with the ability to adapt in an ever-changing world.”
Ms Payne explained that since its inception in January 2019, the course has gained a positive response from students and their families.
“Digital Creativity challenges students to utilise technology in creative yet practical way to create efficiencies,” she said.
“Families are travelling great distances to bring students to the college to take advantage of the unique skillset that our teaching staff possess.
“Parents are grateful to see how their children are more engaged with their learning, our teaching catering to their interests and passions and thus, delivering positive academic results,” Ms Payne added.
Corpus Christi Director of Digital Integration, Jamie Clark, echoed Ms Payne’s sentiments agreeing that the response to the program has been very positive thus far, with students proudly showing off their newfound creative talents.
“The Year 7 and 8 Education Support students have the opportunity to teach staff and older students with disabilities how to execute the perfect photo, draw a realistic self-portrait and map-out a detailed sketch-note of their favourite holiday destination, all on their iPads.
Educational Support Teacher Frances Whiting added that the program has given students an opportunity to showcase their learning in different formats.
“We have seen their confidence and self-esteem sky-rocket and our students are able to engage and communicate in different ways which simply was not possible before.”
Besides developing their fine-motor skills, Ms Whiting added that the creativity with the use of iPads in learning has also empowered the students to understand a topic and better express themselves.
“For example, in Science they use Mark-up to annotate and draw on a photo to show how electricity works,” she said.
“In our Life Skills class, the students draw on photos in Keynote and insert audio to explain how to tell the time.”
For more information, go to www.corpus.wa.edu.au or contact College Registrar Alexandra Carcione on (08) 6332 2567.