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Mission Statement |
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As well
as being an important educational resource, the ability to use ICT effectively
is a vital life skill in modern society.
"Our aim is to produce
learners (pupils and teachers) who are confident and effective users of ICT".
We intend to achieve that aim by:
1) Teaching ICT skills
as a separate subject
2) Ensuring that ICT is incorporated into all
subjects on the curriculum
3) Helping all children to use ICT with
purpose and enjoyment
4) Helping all children to develop the
necessary skills to exploit ICT |
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Rationale |
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Why does our school require ICT?
- The pupils in our school need to be IT literate.
- We want to provide the best possible education for all our
pupils.
- We want to provide a powerful and up to date teaching
resource for all our teachers.
- ICT will be used for more effective
administration.
- ICT will be used to help children in need of learning
support.
- ICT will be used to provide more effective communication
with parents.
- ICT will be used to communicate with teachers and pupils
in other schools.
- ICT will be used to prepare children for life in a
technologically advanced workplace.
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To what use will ICT be put?
- School Administration-pupil details, standard letters,
newsletters, book lists etc.
- Research software, e.g. Encarta Encyclopedia.
- Drill and Practice software: e.g. English, Maths,
Geography
- Adventure games e.g. Granny's Garden, Who stole the Book,
etc.
- Word Processing and printing of children's work.
- Research on the internet.
- Communication via email.
- Storage of Records e.g. Micra-T & Sigma-T Results.
- Software for Special Needs pupils e.g. Word Shark, Number
Shark.
- Software for more able pupils.
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Advantages of ICT:
- The most up to date information may be accessed speedily.
- Presentation of work is greatly enhanced.
- Pupils with special needs are greatly empowered though use
of ICT.
- The computer has endless patience when used for drill and
practice applications.
- The computer can allow for individual differences.
- All children find computers a fascinating source of
learning.
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Disadvantages of ICT:
- There are major financial implications in equipping and
upgrading a school with ICT.
- Researching software and lesson plans is very time
consuming.
- Curriculum overload is an ever present problem.
- Introduction of ICT to a school greatly increases the
workload and thereby the stress levels of the teachers.
- Teachers need to continually update their ICT skills-some
teachers lack confidence using ICT.
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Summary of School Audit |
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Current Hardware:
- In the Computer Room there are: 23 computers, a laser
printer, a DVD player, a data projector and white screen. All those computers
are currently being networked.
- There are 3 computers and a printer in the Learning
Support Room.
- There are 6 computers in 6 individual classrooms.
- There is a computer and a printer in the Secretary's
office.
- There is a computer, a printer and a scanner in the
Principal's office.
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Current Software:
The school has acquired a
comprehensive library of computer software.
See Appendix A for full summary. |
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Current Usage of ICT for Pupils:
- Computer skills are taught to children from 1st class to
6th class each Tuesday time-tabled in 45 minute blocks by a computer teacher
who is paid by the Parents Association.
- Current usage of software includes pre-reading and early
reading work; pre-number and early number work; mathematical application;
development of thinking and problem solving skills; word processing, desktop
publishing; use of multimedia encyclopedia and typing skills; internet work;
communication using e-mails; scanning and presentation of project work.
- Computers are used as a medium of teaching and learning in
those classrooms which have a computer.
- Computers and appropriate software are used extensively in
the Resource Room.
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Teaching Staff |
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Total
Staff: 12
Number familiar with ICT: 11
Number competent
to use ICT in teaching: 7
Number in need of training: 5
Number willing to be trained: 5
Most appropriate form of
training: On site after school time. |
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ICT Co-Ordination:
The school has a Special Duties
Teacher, Mr. Manning, who holds responsibility for ICT.
We have
established an ICT sub-committee, consisting of Mr. Manning, Mr. Cassidy and
Ms. Delaney.
Special Needs: Three
computers and printer are provided in the Learning Support Room as we recognise
the potential of ICT to enhance the learning opportunities for pupils with
special needs. Children with specific writing, reading and numeracy needs are
using ICT to provide alternative and complementary educational experiences.
Exceptional Students: With the
advent of Broadband and an increase in the number of computers in individual
classrooms we see an opportunity to use ICT to challenge and extend the
educational opportunities for pupils with above average attainment.
Maintenance:
At present
the ICT co-ordinator carries out essential maintenance which is very time
consuming. Ideally we would like to have a maintenance contract but this is not
possible at present for financial reasons.
Health and Safety Aspects:
All monitors will be
fitted with anti-glare screens as soon as possible.
Dedicated power
points have been installed for all computers, and fused plugs used.
Blacked-out blinds will be fitted in 2005.
With Broadband
there will be free internet access for everybody using school premises - the
school has an Internet Acceptable Use Policy in place. |
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The Schools' Goals Regarding
ICT |
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Technology Integration:
Our long-term aim is that
technology will be used to support the teaching and learning in all areas of
the curriculum. |
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What should be taught in ICT to pupils in our
school?
Junior/Senior Infants:
- Names of computer parts: monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer
etc.
- Basic care of a computer.
- Manipulating the mouse using software for painting games,
jigsaws etc.
- Finding letters and basic words.
- Reading programmes.
1st & 2nd Class:
- Revision of computer parts.
- Turning on and off a computer.
- Opening & closing files.
- Use of space bar & return keys.
- Using shift key for Capital letters.
- Using Microsoft Word to type a few sentences.
- Changing font type and size.
- Saving to file.
- Using Clip Art.
- Using educational software to reinforce class work.
3rd & 4th Class:
- Revision of work done in 2nd class.
- Typing practice.
- Word Processing-correcting mistakes, spellcheck, etc.
- Formatting text.
- Saving to floppy.
- Microsoft Excel: creating spreadsheets; using tab key;
alphabetical order; autosum etc.
- Using appropriate educational software to reinforce class
work.
5th & 6th Class:
- Revision of work done in middle standards.
- Formatting text-borders, margins, tables.
- Importing from Paint; Graphics.
- Using the Internet under supervision.
- Research using CD Rom-Encyclopedias.
- Sending E-Mails under supervision.
- Creating database - Junior Pinpoint.
- Using Logo.
- Using appropriate educational software to reinforce class
work.
Children receiving Learning Support:
- Using literacy & phonic software: Word Shark,
Starspell, Clicker, Write-on for Windows, First Keys.
- Using Maths software: Number Shark.
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Hardware Purchase:
- ICT co-ordinator Mr. Manning will be responsible for
purchase of appropriate hardware.
- Computer needed immediately with internet access and
colour printer for staffroom.
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Software Purchase:
Mr. Manning, Mr. Cassidy and Ms.
Delaney will be responsible for reviewing and recommending purchase of
appropriate software. |
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School website:
The school hosts a website at
http://homepage.eircom.net/~holyfam/
School newsletters and other
news items will regularly be added.
School policies that are
relevant to parents will also be added to this site.
The issue of
photographs on the website will be decided before the end of the school year
2004/2005. |
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