Teachers Disapprove Of Apple Advice

British educationalists have criticised Apple after it reportedly told kids their "teachers haven’t caught onto the Watch yet."

16:36 26 August 2015

A British education union has attacked Apple after it reportedly urged kids to “get the jump” on their teachers by using its Watch device during classes. It was alleged that the American tech giant told staff that kids would love the Apple Watch because it could be easily used behind their teachers’ backs.

 

In a video shown to shop workers and sales people, retail chief Angela Ahrendts was reported to have said: "I don’t think the teachers have caught on to the Watch yet.” 9to5Mac, the Apple rumours site also claimed that Ahrendts said that the smartwatch could be “the greatest back to school item this year” and could be used in classroom without a teaching noticing.

 

Suzanne Beckley, policy advisor at the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said: "It’s a snappy marketing line for Apple but a shame they are encouraging children and young people to undermine the teacher and ultimately their fellow-learners. "Our members are in the classroom to educate and benefit all their students, so yes this could be disruptive – it could distract form their own learning and that of the whole class.

 

"I don’t think Apple would be encouraging children to hide things form their parents – ultimately there is an online safety concern here too.

 

"We would welcome a much more collaborative approach from Apple; their products are popular with children and teachers alike and there are some excellent educational possibilities there."

Apple is yet to comment on the issue.