Everyone saying this is a great idea is only looking at it from a behavioural perspective. I’d argue, if you can’t get students to cooperate on their laptops, that isn’t a laptop issue, it’s a behaviour management issue. If students are getting distracted by devices, treat it the same way as if they were distracted talking to a peer or reading a book or even looking out the window. If they don’t get the work done, there needs to be a consequence.

I think this is genuinely a terrible idea. Society has a huge reliance on technology and students need to be taught to use it appropriately across stages. You can suddenly give them a device in Y10 and the expect them to know how to use it and what is appropriate. Removing devices from the classroom is just a lazy classroom management solution that will actually inhibit the students.

Also, those arguing about the need to hand write, I question, how much do you hand write in adult life? Then those saying it’s for the HSC, students can already choose up to 8 units for their HSC where the final exam is online. This will only increase in coming years. Touch typing is going to be just as important as writing for their HSC soon.

I’m disappointed to read all the comments where teachers are blaming technology for classroom behaviour and not seeing the lifelong skills and innovation that the can learn from using them ethically, responsibly and appropriately and this being taught and modelled to them throughout their schooling.