ICT Policy  
   
  School Name: Holy Family N.S., Rathcoole, Co. Dublin.
Roll Number: 13217W
Telephone: 01-4580570
Fax: 01-4580570
E-Mail: hfrathcoole@eircom.net
Website Address: http://homepage.eircom.net/~holyfam/
Principal: Mr. Martin Hoban
ICT coordinator: Mr. Derek Manning
 
 
  Mission Statement 
  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  
   
  Rationale 
  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.

 
  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.

 
  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.
 
  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.
 
  Summary of School Audit 
  Current Hardware:
  • The school is equipped with sixteen interactive whiteboards - fourteen in mainstream classrooms and two in Learning Support rooms. All these computers are networked and have broadband access to the internet.
  • The Promethean Activboard comes with Activprimary 2 and Activprimary 3 software, Activpens, Activslate and Activote remote controls. These transform the classroom into an interactive learning environment. The interactive whiteboards enable anything that can be seen or done on a computer screen to be projected onto a whiteboard. It is possible to hide, reveal or highlight text and images to stimulate discussion; encourage active participation through measuring tools, interactive rulers or protractors; and engage the senses with sounds, colours and videos. The software allows access to thousands of resources and sample lessons.
  • The Activpens write like pens with the added functionality of a mouse.
  • The Activslate is a wireless, fully integrated, mini-board that allows the teacher the flexibility to move about the classroom while teaching and the students can interact with the whiteboard by using an Activpen on the Activslate.
  • Activote is a handheld electronic voting system that integrates with the interactive whiteboards. It's a fast, effective way to obtain responses from the entire class, encouraging and motivating even the most reluctant students to participate.
  • 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.
  • There is a computer and printer in the staffroom.
 
  Current Software:
The school has acquired a comprehensive library of computer software.
See Appendix A for full summary.
See Video Library. 
   
  Current Usage of ICT for Pupils:
  • Computer skills are taught to children from 1st class to 5th class each Friday time-tabled in 30 minute blocks by a computer teacher who is paid by the Parents Association. Children in 6th class are taught by their teacher on Thursday each week.
  • 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.
 
  Teaching Staff 
  Total Staff: 20
Number familiar with ICT: 19
Number competent to use ICT in teaching: 19
Number in need of training: 1
Number willing to be trained: 1
Most appropriate form of training: Dublin West Education Centre. 
   
  ICT Co-Ordination:
The school has a Special Duties Teacher, Mr. Manning, who holds responsibility for ICT.

Special Needs: Two Interactive Whiteboards and 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. The caretaker ensures that lenses on data projectors are free of dust by cleaning them once a month.

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 have been fitted in the computer room.
With Broadband there will be free internet access for everybody using school premises - the school has an Internet Acceptable Use Policy in place.  
   
   
  The Schools' Goals Regarding ICT 
  Technology Integration:
Our long-term aim that technology be used to support the teaching and learning in all areas of the curriculum and in all classrooms is almost realized. 
   
  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.
 
   
  Hardware Purchase:
  • ICT co-ordinator Mr. Manning will be responsible for purchase of appropriate hardware.
 
  Software Purchase:
  • Mr. Manning, in conjunction with the Principal and relevant staff members will be responsible for reviewing and recommending purchase of appropriate software.
 
   
  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.
Children's class work is published using their first name only for identification purposes.
Class photographs are published without names. 
   
   
  This policy was reviewed in September 2008 and will be revised again in 2010. 
   
  Internet Acceptable Use Policy 
  The aim of this Acceptable Use Policy is to ensure that pupils will benefit from learning opportunities offered by the school's Internet resources in a safe and effective manner. Internet use and access is considered a school resource and privilege. Therefore, if the school AUP is not adhered to this privilege will be withdrawn and appropriate sanctions - as outlined in the AUP - will be imposed.
It is envisaged that school and parent representatives will revise the AUP annually. Before signing, the AUP should be read carefully to indicate that the conditions of use are accepted and understood.

School's Strategy
The school will employ a number of strategies in order to maximise learning opportunities and reduce risks associated with the Internet. These strategies are as follows:  
 
  • Internet sessions will always be supervised by a teacher.
  • Filtering software and/or equivalent systems will be used in order to minimise the risk of exposure to inappropriate material.
  • The school will regularly monitor pupils' Internet usage.
  • Students and teachers will be provided with training in the area of Internet safety.
  • Uploading and downloading of non-approved software will not be permitted.
  • Virus protection software will be used and updated on a regular basis.
  • The use of personal floppy disks or CD-ROMs in school requires a teacher's permission.
  • Students will observe good "netiquette" (i.e., etiquette on the Internet) at all times and will not undertake any actions that may bring the school into disrepute.
 
  World Wide Web 
 
  • Students will not visit Internet sites that contain obscene, illegal, hateful or otherwise objectionable materials.
  • Students will use the Internet for educational purposes only.
  • Students will be familiar with copyright issues relating to online learning.
  • Students will never disclose or publicise personal information.
  • Students will be aware that any usage, including distributing or receiving information, school-related or personal, may be monitored for unusual activity, security and/or network management reasons.
 
  Email 
 
  • Students will use approved class email accounts under supervision by or permission from a teacher.
  • Students will not send or receive any material that is illegal, obscene, defamatory or that is intended to annoy or intimidate another person.
  • Students will not reveal their own or other people's personal details, such as addresses or telephone numbers or pictures.
  • Students will never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone they only know through emails or the internet.
  • Students will note that sending and receiving email attachments is subject to permission from their teacher.
 
  Internet Chat 
 
  • Students will only have access to chat rooms, discussion forums or other electronic communication forums that have been approved by the school.
  • Chat rooms, discussion forums and other electronic communication forums will only be used for educational purposes and will always be supervised.
  • Usernames will be used to avoid disclosure of identity.
  • Face-to-face meetings with someone organised via Internet chat will be forbidden.
 
  School Website 
 
  • Pupils will be given the opportunity to publish projects, artwork or school work on the World Wide Web.
  • The publication of student work will be co-ordinated by a teacher.
  • Pupils' work will appear in an educational context on Web pages with a copyright notice prohibiting the copying of such work without express written permission.
  • Digital photographs, audio or video clips of individual students will not be published on the school website. Instead photographs, audio and video clips will focus on group activities. Video clips may be password protected.
  • Personal pupil information including home address and contact details will be omitted from school web pages.
  • Pupils will continue to own the copyright on any work published.
 
  Legislation
The school will provide information on the following legislation relating to use of the Internet which teachers, students and parents should familiarise themselves with: 
 
  • Data Protection (Amendment) Act 2003
  • Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998
  • Interception Act 1993
  • Video Recordings Act 1989
  • The Data Protection Act 1988
 
  Support Structures
The school will inform students and parents of key support structures and organisations that deal with illegal material or harmful use of the Internet.

Sanctions
Misuse of the Internet may result in disciplinary action, including written warnings, withdrawal of access privileges and, in extreme cases, suspension or expulsion. The school also reserves the right to report any illegal activities to the appropriate authorities.  
   
  Permission Form 
  Please review the attached school Internet Acceptable Use Policy, sign and return this permission form to the Principal.
School Name: Holy Family N.S.  
  Name of Pupil: .................................................
Class: ........................... 
  Pupil
I agree to follow the school's Acceptable Use Policy on the use of the Internet. I will use the Internet in a responsible way and obey all the rules explained to me by the school.
Pupil's Signature: __________________________
Date: ____________  
   
  Parent/Guardian
As the parent or legal guardian of the above pupil, I have read the Acceptable Use Policy and grant permission for my son or daughter or the child in my care to access the Internet. I understand that Internet access is intended for educational purposes. I also understand that that every reasonable precaution has been taken by the school to provide for online safety but the school cannot be held responsible if pupils access unsuitable websites.  
  I accept the above paragraph: Yes / No
(Please circle as appropriate)  
  In relation to the school website, I accept that, if the school considers it appropriate, my child's schoolwork may be chosen for inclusion on the school's website. I understand and accept the terms of the Acceptable Use Policy relating to publishing children's work on the school website. 
  I accept the above paragraph: Yes / No
(Please circle as appropriate)  
   
  Signature: __________________________
Date: ________________
Address: _____________________________________________
Telephone: ________________  
   
   
       
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Rathcoole
County Dublin