Seven schools where children are taught through tablet computers opened in the Netherlands this week, as part of an experiment into developing learning methods.

The Steve Jobs Schools convert teachers into education ‘coaches’ who guide their pupils’ education through group projects and individual learning apps rather than just transmitting knowledge from the front of the classroom.

These apps will allow pupils to learn basic skills according to their own speed and style, and parents can follow exactly what their children are doing through an app called the iDesk Learning Tracker.

Harnessing the popularity of social networks, the O4NT Foundation (Education for a New Era) system includes a virtual playground called sCoolSpace, which the children can participate in through avatars, even if they are not physically in the school building. This allows them to message or video call each other in a safe environment.

Pupils are also encouraged to help each other understand problems through the teaching apps, sharing their own strengths and building confidence, rather than automatically asking the teacher.

Maurice de Hond, the founder of O4NT, said: “In an average classroom or group situation, it isthe teacher who teaches the knowledge and skills to the children.

“The vast majority of the time kids are busy listening to the teacher, carrying out assignments given by the teacher and training skills under the guidance of the teacher.

“Tablets in education will radically break through these roles which schools are based on from the beginning. Tablets used at school (and at home) allow students to learn about subject matters the teacher knows little or nothing about.

“This creates a real learning community, where students are alternating the role of receiver and transmitter. This also applies to the teacher.

“Besides being a transmitter, he/she will particularly be the one who organises, processes, supervises and monitors – from teacher to coach.”

In Sneek and Breda, the schools will use iPads and the O4NT principles across all year groups, while the other five have introduced the approach for younger pupils first and plan to roll it out to higher years later on.

Although the schools’ hours are currently restricted by law, they hope parents will be able to book holidays and send their children to school at hours that suit their working lives, as the virtual school is available all day, every day.