The Dunedin Digital Office is accepting donations of old iPads and Android tablets which they make suitable for use at schools under the Tablets in Schools programme.
So far, the project has been running for six months and 25 tablets are in circulation at four Dunedin schools and at one kindergarten.
Each school has a digital ambassador who volunteers their time to help manage the scheme and provide the schools with ongoing support.
The tablets were initially loaded with $20 worth of applications but once the schools took possession it was up to the pupils to decide how the tablets would be used.
Digital Office leader Stuart Dillon-Roberts said the project aimed to expose children to both the benefits and pitfalls of technology.
Tablets in Schools was unique and Mr Dillon-Roberts hoped it would eventually spread throughout Otago and New Zealand. The project was aimed not just at low-decile schools but at all places lacking digital understanding, he said.
''Some high-decile schools have hardware up to their eyeballs but don't know how to use it very well.''
One of the schools involved is Bradford School. The digital office gave it three tablets after its own devices were stolen last year. Later the stolen tablets were recovered and more were donated by the digital office, boosting its tablet collection to 11 units.
Principal Melissa Mitchell-Bain said the tablets were popular with pupils and the educational games on them helped with everything from maths, to forming handwriting.
''The interactive side of it really hooks them in.''
The Digital Office is a non-profit group set up by the Dunedin City Council. To donate your old tablet to the project you can take it to the Dunedin City Council customer service desk and mention the Dunedin Digital Office.
- Jonathan Chilton-Towle
