Saturday 22 February 2014

Module 10 Activity 7 - Budgeting

In order for the ICT Integration process to be successful and sustainable it requires a budget to indicate how projects and activities will be funded.  These project and activities that will require funding include
* curriculum integration
* staff training
* infrastructure and security

The integration of ICT in the education context supports and enhance the teaching and learning process.  This can be an expensive venture but it is important and vital if we are to cater for the needs of all our students and if learning is to done in a real life context. The emphasis is on developing the problem solving and critical thinking skills of our students.

Module 10 - Activity 6 - Plan of Action


The ICT Plan of Action will examine what was achieved, what is in process and what still needs to be done based on my ICT Policy.

1.     Already achieved in my ICT priority area


Staff and students are equipped with ICT tools
Shared ICT Vision by stakeholders
Analysis of the state of ICT in my school (SWOT analysis)
Professional development course identified for staff participation



2.     In the process of doing in my ICT priority area



Members of staff are enrolled in CCTI and OAS courses







3.     Still to be done in my ICT priority area



Purchase of additional ICT equipment
Continuous training for staff
Training for parents and community members





ICT indicator for success
 

Module 10 - Activity 5- Draft ICT Policy

My ICT Policy will include mayor emphasis on the curriculum and staff development.

It will highlight how ICT will be used in  the following 

Staff use
- Continuous training to build the skills of the teachers
- build a community of practice where teacher share their best ICT practices with there colleagues
- teachers enrolled in online open source course (such as Commonwealth Certificate for Teachers' ICT Integration)  to build capacity


Curriculum
- to enhance, enrich and extend learning
- incorporate a variety of tools and resources in lessons
- use of open ended task that supports problem solving and critical thinking
- learning in a real life context


These areas are important if that paradigm shift from a teacher centred  to student centred environment is to be accomplish.

Module 10 - Activity 4 ICT Policy Focus Area

An ICT Policy states the vision and goals for ICT Integration. It outlines clear procedures and guidelines for successful integration. This policy takes into account many aspects of the school environment. These include 1. Curriculum
2. staff development
 3. Administration
4. Infrastructure and Security
5. Budget

 My policy focus areas are curriculum and staff development. These areas were selected after conducting an ICT SWOT Analysis which outline the strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats of my school.

Strengths:
Ø  There are three outfitted computer labs
Ø  All teachers have a laptop
Ø  Grade 9 – 11 students have tablets
Ø  98% of the staff has basic ICT skills
Ø  A few of the staff has attempted to integrate ICT in their lessons.
Ø  The Principal encourages the use of ICT
Ø  Wireless internet access is available
Ø  Information Technology taught from Grade 7 – 11.
Ø  Free wireless internet access

Weaknesses:
Ø  Many of the teachers are unsure and not comfortable using ICT in their Lessons
Ø  The labs are used for the teaching of Information Technology and are used by other subject areas
Ø  Students are not given opportunities to utilized the tablets in their classes.  Students have access to tablets but teachers do not allow them to use them in their classes
Ø  There are not professional development program to assist teachers with ICT Integration within the school
Ø  No clear policy for ICT use
Opportunities:
Ø  Lower grades can be timetabled to use the free time in the labs
Ø  The Ministry of Education has allotted time for Professional Development in the Year School Schedule.  This time can be used for ICT Integration Training for Staff.
Ø  Student tablets can be used to integrate ICT across the curricula.
Ø  Collaboration with PTA to acquire additional ICT equipment
Threats:
Ø  The lost of equipment due to break ins
Ø  Lack of technical support to keep the equipment running
Ø  Outdate equipment