Module 10 - Activity 3A- Planning for ICT

My School Vision

The Vision for Business Education Institute is to provide a quality, well rounded environment where our students can achieve their fullest potential, so they can make a meaningful contribution to society.

My School ICT Vision

Students will have access to ICT tools to:
                - express their creativity and improve their problem solving and critical thinking skills.
                -  use online tools and resources to communicate and collaborate and improve their learning across the curriculum.
                - assist with the development of Acceptable Use Policy for the use of ICT for lifelong learning.

Teachers will use ICT tools to:
            -  effectively communicate and collaborate with colleagues.
            -   improve the skills and abilities of their student
            - monitor, evaluate and report on the progress of their students

Parents will use ICT tools to:
            - communicate with the school
            - monitor the process of their child/children
            - access activities, assignments, announcements and reports

Alignment between your school vision and the ICT Vision

The school vision highlights the goals for the school whereas the ICT vision highlights tools and approaches to achieve these goals.  The ICT vision includes clear guidelines and procedures for the integration of ICT tools to achieve the school's goals.

Module 10 - Activity 2 - How to achieve the Vison of the Policy

When developing an ICT Policy all stakeholders should be involve throughout to benefit from their contributions and gain their support for the process.

The development cycle
1. Consensus
2.  Policy Team
3.  Audit
4.  Develop Policy
5. Validate Policy
6.  Adopt and Communicate
7.  Evaluate/Review/Revise

The Policy will

1.  Regulate use
2.  Provide sanctions for infringement
3.  Control Access.

When developing policy, those responsible should be clear about the aspects of school life the policy will address, as well as the possible consequences of transgressing the policy guidelines.  Schools need to decide if  and why ICTs are required in their particular school and to identify how they can impact on learners and educators

Module 10 Activity 2 - Policies and ICT

A vision is needed if ICT Integration is to be successful.  There should be an assessment of what is available, a plan to move forward and a vision of what we would like to see.  A vision for ICT the students are the focus of the teaching/learning environment; where ICT is effective integrated across the curricula; where learning is not confined but opened to the world; can be accessed by all; and where students are connecting and collaborating with their community.

A vision for ICT across the curricula aids to develop independent learners and measure the abilities of the students. It focuses on the competency of the students.  Teachers play an important role in any vision for ICT.  With ICT, the role of the teacher changes from the sage on the stage to the guide on the side, giving the students an opportunity to demonstrate their skills and abilities.

Module 10 - Activity 1

Evaluating your present stage of integration to plan and determine the way forward.  By assessing the stage of my school's integration, I am able to assist in my school's pan to improve and implement strategies for a successful integration.  Presently my school is in the applying phase of integration.  In order for my school to make the shift from teacher centred learning environment to a student centred environment there need to be training, monitor and supporting of the teachers. 

For integration to be a success all stakeholders should be involve throughout the process.  It is important for parents to understand why the use of ICT tools is important and be involve in every stage.  
 

Module 8 - Activity 10 - The Flipped Classroom Approach

The flipped classroom approach engage learners not only in the classroom but also outside of the classroom.  The course content is made available for the learners to access when needed.  They prepare for the lesson before they enter the classroom using various tools and media.  In this approach the learners are responsible for their learning.

The flipped classroom approach helps to develop the learners critical thinking and problem solving skills.  They are encourage to reflect on what they learn and use that knowledge to solve problems and answer questions.  Technology tools and media are integrated in the teaching/learning process to motivate and keep the learners engaged. The classroom time is used to engage learners in collaborative projects and activity which develops their communication and cooperative skills.

However for the flipped classroom approach to effectively cater for the needs of all learners there teacher should adequately plan for the implementation of this approach.  There should be clear goals and objectives set and communicated to the learners.  As for any other approach there should be collaboration among all stakeholders (Administrators, teachers, parents and students) to determine how to effectively implement that all learners will benefit.

Module 8 - Activity 9 - Cell Phones in the Classroom

With any new tool in the classroom, there should be proper planning and clear acceptable use policy to guide students.  The cell phone can be an effective tool in the teaching and learning process with proper planning.  Although there a cons to the use of the cell phone in the classroom, the pros outweigh the cons.

Pros

• Useful to parents and students when scheduling after school activities
• can be used in cases of emergency, students can call directly rather than waiting in line to use the school phone
• useful in the classroom older students can use their cell phones to conduct phone interviews during their class time. Most phones have internet capabilities and as such students can do research especially in a classroom where their is limited computers.
• Most cell phones are also equipped with calculators and have memories large enough to hold books.
• Useful as a teaching tool to communicate with students. Through Texting, tweeting, bbm messaging and WhatsApp messages the teacher can send reminders and letting them ask questions and send responses to questions using the cell phone. The speed and convenience of this method is welcomed by most students and aids in the teaching and learning process. 
• Students can quickly do research on a topic while sitting anywhere. The access to immediate information is a very valuable educational tool.
• It allows us to teach students digital responsibility and citizenship. 
• Can be used to video tape lessons or activities for presentation in class. 
• Since most students already own a cellphone, this can eliminate the strain on the limited computers in the labs. Students can use their cellphones to do research on various topics across the curricula.
• With use of apps such as google calendar students can keep track of assignments, due dates since these apps can give them a reminders 
• With cellphones technology can be integrated in all subject area and all classrooms without additional financial strain on schools to provide ICT tools for students
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Cons

• they are distracting to the students
• because they are so small, its not easy for a teacher to see exactly what the student is doing, they could be texting or playing games when they should be researching
• cheating, taking and passing on inappropriate photos.
• Cell phones can inspire destructive behaviour. There is a new phonomenon called "sexting" where explicit photos and text messages sent around using the cell phone is on the rise and many students are becoming engaged in this behaviour. 
• Fueling the rumor mill: texting messages can spread through students much faster, oftentimes setting off unnecessary and unfounded rumors and fears.
• Texting may affect spelling and writing in the classroom setting because of language used. 
• If not guided students can inappropriately use cellphones 

Module 8 - Activity 8 - E-Safety Policies and Managing Social Networking

A school's e-safety policy should include1. clear guideline on what is acceptable2. how to deal with cyberbullying 3. what information that should not be posted online and how to protect personal information4. to respect themselves and others online5. netiquette rules6 procedures for reporting unacceptable behaviour or information found online7. copyright rules
8. student and teacher interaction
9. use of mobile devices
10 role of parents and teachers
The most effective procedure to ensure e-safety explain the ICT policy and rules with the students and modelling of acceptable behaviours by the teachers.

The 5 most important considerations for a teacher requiring students to use social networks in the learning environment

1. survey the students about social media - find out from the students which social media they use and the ones the would like to see used in their learning environment.

2. Ensure that the students are comfortable with the social media being integrated in the lessons

3. utilize groups and communities where students and interact with each other and post content and ask questions.

4. Keep communication with students in the group, website or page designated to the class

5. establish clear communication boundaries