Swiss International Scientific School Dubai Kicks Off New School Year with Tech-Free Learning Weeks

Dubai, UAE, September 2, 2024: As students return after the long summer break, Swiss International Scientific School Dubai (SISD) is excited to announce the launch of tech-free learning weeks for all Primary students as the new school term begins. During the first two weeks of school, SISD will set aside the use of iPads for all students, encouraging a return to traditional learning methods with a strong focus on skill development, particularly the IB Learner Profile skills. This initiative aligns with the school’s commitment to fostering a balanced and skills-based approach to education.

In a move designed to emphasise the importance of metacognitive strategies and personal interactions, iPads will remain tucked away for the first two weeks of term. This decision supports SISD’s educational philosophy of integrating technology thoughtfully, allowing students to first focus on the critical skills that form the foundation of learning.

Lisa Thorpe, Deputy Head of Primary and IB PYP Curriculum Coordinator at SISD, explains the motivation behind the tech-free initiative: “At the start of the school year, our priority is to help students develop metacognitive skills — teaching them how to think about their own thinking. By dedicating time to these strategies, we empower our students to become more independent and effective learners, capable of understanding their strengths and areas for improvement.”

In addition to metacognitive strategies, the first two weeks of school are crucial for building relationships between teachers and students. “Understanding each child’s learning style, interests and needs helps us tailor our instruction to better support them throughout the year. During this time, we prioritise activities that support communication, collaboration, and a sense of community within the classroom,” adds the Deputy Head of Primary.

Throughout the two-week period, SISD will engage students in activities designed to enhance communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking—core components of the IB Learner Profile and the 6Cs of the school’s parent group, Nord Anglia Education.

Each day will focus on a specific attribute such as compassion, commitment, curiosity, and creativity, developing skills that are essential for long-term success. These hands-on, device-free sessions will encourage students to build strong relationships with their teachers and peers, creating an even more supportive and dynamic learning environment.

The initiative also aligns with the UAE’s educational shift towards a skills-based curriculum, responding to both the regulatory focus and parental concerns over excessive screen time. “Every parent wants their child off a device after a summer of screen time,” added Lisa Thorpe. “By focusing on foundational learning and relationship-building, we set our students up for success in all areas of their education.”

After the initial tech-free weeks, iPads will be reintroduced as a powerful tool to enhance and extend learning. Whether through interactive content, educational apps or creative digital projects, technology will be used thoughtfully, supporting the metacognitive skills developed during the first two weeks. This balanced approach ensures that students are not only tech-savvy but also equipped with the critical thinking and self-reflection skills necessary to use technology responsibly.

Swiss International Scientific School Dubai is proud to lead the way in integrating innovative educational strategies that prioritise student well-being, academic excellence and personal growth. As the school embarks on this tech-free journey, it reinforces its commitment to developing reflective, responsible, and engaged learners prepared for the challenges of the future.

For more information about SISD’s tech-free learning weeks and its approach to integrating technology into the classroom, please visit sisd.ae.

Swiss International School in Dubai

Global in outlook, bilingual in approach, Swiss in culture, and yet firmly rooted in the local community of Dubai – that’s Swiss International School in Dubai, or SISD.

The Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai (SISD), Dubai’s first bilingual International Baccalaureate School, opened in 2015, and is the largest Swiss school outside Switzerland.

The school – part of the TAS sustainable organisation - is a leading international day and boarding school where future generations are inspired to become confident and enthusiastic lifelong learners, properly prepared to embrace all the opportunities and challenges life presents.

With a diverse student body of 1800 pupils comprising more than 100 different nationalities, the school believes the next generation of international citizens will need to be dynamic, flexible and linguistically ambitious. With this in mind, SISD offers immersive bilingual programmes in either of the Swiss languages of French and German, but also a strong English programme with foreign languages. For students who don’t wish to pursue a fully bilingual programme, there is a unique STEAM programme for all children from age 4-11 years. SISD stands out as one of only a handful of educational establishments globally classified as an IB Continuum school, which means it offers International Baccalaureate education to pupils from age 3 to 18.

Offering day school, weekly or full-term boarding options, this leading educational institution offers state-of-the-art STEAM education, and has world-class sporting facilities, too.

The school has laid out its B.E.S.T. Values, as follows:

Bilingual

A unique international and multilingual environment provides students with authentic exposure to English, French, German and Arabic. Students in the immersive bilingual programmes learn to communicate, think and reflect in two different languages. As global citizens, SISD celebrates diversity, promoting all languages and cultures with equal respect.

Excellence

SISD staff believes in maintaining high standards and aspire to be the best they can be. A spirit of enquiry, encouraging both creative and critical thinking is fostered.

Sustainability

Students and staff believe that social, cultural, economic and environmental awareness prepare us to play our part in shaping a better future, both for ourselves and for those around us. The school campus is eco-friendly, winning international acclaim and awards for using less energy to create a comfortable and healthy environment.

Together

In the school’s international community, we know that we are at our best when we all work together. We view active participation in the community, from the most local to the most global, as the foundation of a valuable life.