Education Technology Policy
ST. BRIGID’S PRIMARY SCHOOL AND NURSERY UNIT
- ICT provides opportunities to enhance and enrich children’s learning experiences across the curriculum.
- ICT can present information in new ways, which help pupils to understand, assimilate and use it more readily.
- ICT gives pupils access to immediate and up to date sources of information
- ICT can motivate and enthuse pupils.
- ICT has the flexibility to allow pupils to work at their own pace.
- ICT offers potential for effective individual/group/whole class work
- ICT gives pupils opportunities to develop life skills.
- To raise levels of pupil competence and confidence in using ICT – by developing children’s knowledge, understanding and skills in using a range of ICT tools to enhance learning experiences across the curriculum.
- To raise levels of teacher competence and confidence in integrating ICT into their planning, teaching and assessment of children’s work.
- To use ICT to enhance and enrich children’s learning and add to their enjoyment.
- To provide access to electronic sources of information and interactive learning resources.
- To enable children and teachers to have access to immediate and up-to date sources of information.
- To develop children’s independent learning skills using ICT across the curriculum.
- To develop information handling and research skills.
- All pupils have access to the C2k Managed Service.
- All pupils have access to software titles appropriate to their curriculum needs and learning needs.
- Through C2K computers all children have access to the internet and filtering software is installed to block inappropriate material.
- Children in each class have access to both colour and b/w printing facilities.
- Children may have access to additional PCs /laptops (Summer 08 ) positioned around the school.
- Infant classes use a lower case keyboard and a baby mouse.
- Children of all ages, ability levels and backgrounds will have equal access to ICT resources.
- Children use ICT resources under the guidance of the classroom teacher or classroom assistant.
- The use of the internet is always a supervised activity.
- All teachers have access to the C2K / Northgate Managed Service.
- All teachers have access to software titles appropriate to their curriculum planning needs and classroom practice.
- Through C2K computers all teachers have access to the internet and guidance to its use is available.
- Teachers have access to laptops available for use on the network and for home use and the school reserves the right to carry out checks on the laptops.
- Teachers have access to ICT equipment such as the data projector, digital cameras, interactive whiteboards, etc. to facilitate a variety of teaching approaches.
- Teachers are encouraged to use the new C2K e-mail service introduced in June 2005.
Pupil Assistance and Supervision
- CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT OF ICT RESOURCES
Where appropriate, children will have opportunities to use ICT resources to carry out:
- Individual work
- Group activities- children will generally work in pairs at the computer. It is important that all children are engaged on task and can see the screen comfortably. No more than three children should work together at one computer.
- Whole class activities - children may share in a computer - led activity where a data projector/ Interactive whiteboard is used.
- ( A detailed list of ICT resources, provision and organisation is available from the Coordinator ).
- ICT is a key priority in the current school development plan
- In consultation with all staff an ICT Action Plan will be drawn up by the ICT coordinator and will be reviewed by all staff as appropriate.
- ICT will be embedded into schemes of work
- ICT is now integrated into half term planners taking account of progression
- An overview scheme based on lines of development and progression from Y1 – Y7 will be drawn up and used by staff . This will focus on key skills and knowledge.
- PLANNING, MONITORING AND EVALUATION
- ASSESSMENT / RECORDING
Children’s use of ICT is assessed and recorded by the classroom teacher using the following approaches.
- Formative assessment methods – observing and questioning during classroom activities.
- Summative assessment methods – in collecting samples of children’s work using ICT and assessing against CCEA level descriptors.
- Pupil work samples to be sent to CCEA for accreditation.
- Pupil self assessment sheets outlining key skills for each year group.
- STAFF TRAINING
Staff development in ICT is ongoing within the school. It is our aim to raise the level of teacher competence and confidence in ICT by:
- Providing in-school support for teachers requiring assistance in developing aspects of ICT skills, knowledge and understanding.
- Making provision for C2K training – assisting teachers to use the network system effectively and with confidence.
- Teachers attending courses arranged by themselves e.g. CLAIT or ECDL etc.
- To provide leadership and direction
- To ensure that the use of ICT is managed and organised to meet school aims and objectives.
- To play a key role in school policy development in relation to ICT and teaching and learning.
- To Liaise with SMT in order to set Priorities and targets to improve ICT provision
- To support, guide and motivate colleagues – which may require the provision of training for staff.
- To contribute to the monitoring and evaluation process.
- To keep up to date with recent developments in ICT and advise colleagues appropriately.
- To ensure continuing personal professional development.
- THE ROLE OF THE ICT CO-ORDINATOR
8 THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CLASSROOM TEACHER
- Integrate ICT into curriculum planning, classroom teaching and the assessment of children’s work.
- Ensure that any ICT resource/software used in the classroom is appropriate to curriculum needs and children’s learning needs.
- Ensure health and safety practices are carried out.
- Discuss with the children rules for using the computer
- Implement the Internet and digital technologies Safety policy.
9 THE ROLE OF THE PRINCIPAL AND SMT
- The Principal and SMT will show leadership in setting priorities and targets and ensure their implementation.
- Every class will devise a set of rules for computer use. Rules will be displayed in the room and Computer suite.
- In all classrooms, due consideration is given to health and safety in the location, positioning and use of equipment.
10 HEALTH AND SAFETY
11 ICT IN THE HOME AND IN THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY
- An increasing number of children have access to computers in the home or through their out of school activities.
- Children will be encouraged to make use of home computers and ICT resources available through places such as After School Clubs, Libraries and youth clubs.
- Where appropriate children will be given opportunities to make use of ICT resources to:
- Carry out research to support classroom work, projects etc.
- To complete work begun in school
- To carry out or present a homework task
- Children who do not have ICT resources at home should not be disadvantaged. In order to build on ICT skills pupils have opportunities beyond normal school hours through the homework club, computer club or time set aside with in the school day. ICT resources will also be used during the Summer Scheme activities.
12 POLICY REVIEW
- The ET policy will be reviewed biannually by ICT coordinator, Principal and SMT in collaboration with the whole staff.