Policy for Teaching and Learning inInformation Technologyat Hawthorn Primary School Introduction:
At Hawthorn Primary School we believe that Information Technology is an integral part of life in the 21st Century and is therefore essential to the experiences offered to our pupils across the curriculum.Research shows that ‘many studies report an improvement in pupils’ motivation and attitude to learning’ and ‘pupils take more responsibility for their own learning.’ (Becta, 2003, ICT and Attainment).Other research shows that IT can ‘enhance pupils’ reasoning and decision making’ and has ‘positive effects on pupils’ learning of different concepts and skills’.
Aims:
At Hawthorn Primary we aim to: Øensure that Foundation Phase and National Curriculum 2008 requirements are met in full; Ødevelop the IT skills of the children by building on abilities gained from IT use outside of the school environment; Øenable our pupils to become confident, able, efficient, sensible and selective users of Information Technology, developing and demonstrating their IT skills through the wider curriculum; Øencourage staff and all other adults to use Information Technology as often as possible where it can be of benefit to themselves and the children both for teaching activities and learning activities; Øensure that the children enjoy their use of IT and to evaluate its use in society; Øto achieve the IT Mark.
School Organisation At Hawthorn Primary School, the Scheme of Work is based on the QCA documentation.As this address the National Curriculum in England it has been adapted to concentrate on the needs of the Curriculum in Wales.Details of the changes are listed on the whole school IT overview available to all staff.
IT work across the school will be planned and shown in teacher’s short term planning from the objectives/skills detailed in the Scheme of Work.In Key Stage 2, classes will address these objectives with a discrete IT lesson each week within the timetable and then include aspects of IT through cross-curricular activities.(It should be considered that the use of word processing for ‘presentation purposes’ is not always cross-curricular IT use!)In the Foundation Phase, IT will be used when necessary to enhance the teaching and learning of the pupils.It is recommended that, with mixed age classes, the curriculum leader be approached for advice on learning activities if needed.
Opportunities for IT use should also be included in all other Schemes of Work to ensure cross curricular activities are provided for the children whenever possible.This should also include the other IT resources available e.g. digital cameras, microscopes, data logging etc.
All children will have equal access to ICT (see Equal Opportunities Policy).Where possible, individual needs will be addressed.Some specific software is available to support special needs.If further resources are required, it is suggested that you approach the IT coordinator and the SENCo for advice.
Assessment and Recording Assessment and recording of IT activities and abilities is in the early stages of development.Each teacher has a file which details the levels of achievement which should be seen at each year group.Similarly, each class also has a ‘subject list’ which can support the teacher in ensuring each subject taught addresses some area of IT throughout the academic year.A portfolio is now available (both a paper copy and now being developed online at www.wikispaces.com ) demonstrating the range of activities possible and the achievements to be expected from the children at different stages of their development.
Recording of the children’s work can be kept in a variety of places.Discrete IT work should be held in the ‘display Book’ folders to demonstrate the skills being learnt.Subject books should then have a variety of pieces of IT work related to the topics being covered and the IT skills being learnt.At times, the IT coordinator will request to view work and talk to the children as part of on-going monitoring of the subject.Best practice will ensure that each display has some element of IT work included as evidence of cross-curricular coverage.
Resources Each class has 1 or 2standalone PCs, with at least one of these having access to the Internet.Hawthorn Primary also has 3 interactive whiteboards (not fixed) which are available for teachers to use when requested.We have also recently purchased 6 laptops which are available for IT lessons and for cross-curricular lessons using IT.The laptops all have Internet access through a wireless hub located in the library.Use of these laptops is timetabled, although there are still a few slots available for staff to use when wished.
Most IT resources are available from the IT coordinator and are kept in the classroom stock room.Other curriculum leaders also have a selection of software/hardware available with the resources for individual subject topics.These should be recorded in each of the Schemes of Work.A comprehensive list of online resources is also available through the school ‘wiki’ on www.wikispaces.com .An invite has been sent to all members of staff.This is still under development – but has the prospect of being an excellent reource for all staff and pupils.
Any problems with the hardware can be reported to the IT coordinator/teacher’s aide.They will endeavour to ensure that the faults are reported to our support team and dealt with as soon as possible.
Staff Development Staff wishing to develop their IT skills have access to the ESIS course book and can apply for courses for their own Continued Professional Development.Funding through the GTCW can also be accessed.The IT coordinator will support and advise staff where possible on their on use of IT and how the school resources can be best used for the pupils to continue to develop their skills.The IT coordinator will also lead school INSET when necessary and attend update courses to ensure that we are ‘up to date’ with new technologies and developments.
Monitoring and Review The IT coordinator will review this policy regularly.The school monitoring programme shows that each subject is addressed every three years.
Health and Safety The safety of all children and adults at the school must be considered at all times.It is important that all machines be turned off correctly at the end of each day and that consideration is made with the over use of electricity when not required for example – IWB projectors turned off when not in use. (Eco-Schools).As our IWB are not fixed, we have a problem with trailing leads.Cable covering is available from the office and should be used whenever possible to ensure the safety of all in the classroom.Similarly, any trailing leads should be made safe.
15th May 2008
Jeannette Loveridge
IT Coordinator.
A Policy for Acceptable Internet Use is also available.
This policy was produced in May 2008 at presented to the staff for discussion.At list of hardware, software and other IT resources can be found in the curriculum leader’s file.Development over the coming years will focus on the requirements set to achieve the IT Mark for Hawthorn Primary School.
Introduction:
At Hawthorn Primary School we believe that Information Technology is an integral part of life in the 21st Century and is therefore essential to the experiences offered to our pupils across the curriculum. Research shows that ‘many studies report an improvement in pupils’ motivation and attitude to learning’ and ‘pupils take more responsibility for their own learning.’ (Becta, 2003, ICT and Attainment). Other research shows that IT can ‘enhance pupils’ reasoning and decision making’ and has ‘positive effects on pupils’ learning of different concepts and skills’.
Aims:
At Hawthorn Primary we aim to:
Ø ensure that Foundation Phase and National Curriculum 2008 requirements are met in full;
Ø develop the IT skills of the children by building on abilities gained from IT use outside of the school environment;
Ø enable our pupils to become confident, able, efficient, sensible and selective users of Information Technology, developing and demonstrating their IT skills through the wider curriculum;
Ø encourage staff and all other adults to use Information Technology as often as possible where it can be of benefit to themselves and the children both for teaching activities and learning activities;
Ø ensure that the children enjoy their use of IT and to evaluate its use in society;
Ø to achieve the IT Mark.
School Organisation
At Hawthorn Primary School, the Scheme of Work is based on the QCA documentation. As this address the National Curriculum in England it has been adapted to concentrate on the needs of the Curriculum in Wales. Details of the changes are listed on the whole school IT overview available to all staff.
IT work across the school will be planned and shown in teacher’s short term planning from the objectives/skills detailed in the Scheme of Work. In Key Stage 2, classes will address these objectives with a discrete IT lesson each week within the timetable and then include aspects of IT through cross-curricular activities. (It should be considered that the use of word processing for ‘presentation purposes’ is not always cross-curricular IT use!) In the Foundation Phase, IT will be used when necessary to enhance the teaching and learning of the pupils. It is recommended that, with mixed age classes, the curriculum leader be approached for advice on learning activities if needed.
Opportunities for IT use should also be included in all other Schemes of Work to ensure cross curricular activities are provided for the children whenever possible. This should also include the other IT resources available e.g. digital cameras, microscopes, data logging etc.
All children will have equal access to ICT (see Equal Opportunities Policy). Where possible, individual needs will be addressed. Some specific software is available to support special needs. If further resources are required, it is suggested that you approach the IT coordinator and the SENCo for advice.
Assessment and Recording
Assessment and recording of IT activities and abilities is in the early stages of development. Each teacher has a file which details the levels of achievement which should be seen at each year group. Similarly, each class also has a ‘subject list’ which can support the teacher in ensuring each subject taught addresses some area of IT throughout the academic year. A portfolio is now available (both a paper copy and now being developed online at www.wikispaces.com ) demonstrating the range of activities possible and the achievements to be expected from the children at different stages of their development.
Recording of the children’s work can be kept in a variety of places. Discrete IT work should be held in the ‘display Book’ folders to demonstrate the skills being learnt. Subject books should then have a variety of pieces of IT work related to the topics being covered and the IT skills being learnt. At times, the IT coordinator will request to view work and talk to the children as part of on-going monitoring of the subject. Best practice will ensure that each display has some element of IT work included as evidence of cross-curricular coverage.
Resources
Each class has 1 or 2 standalone PCs, with at least one of these having access to the Internet. Hawthorn Primary also has 3 interactive whiteboards (not fixed) which are available for teachers to use when requested. We have also recently purchased 6 laptops which are available for IT lessons and for cross-curricular lessons using IT. The laptops all have Internet access through a wireless hub located in the library. Use of these laptops is timetabled, although there are still a few slots available for staff to use when wished.
Most IT resources are available from the IT coordinator and are kept in the classroom stock room. Other curriculum leaders also have a selection of software/hardware available with the resources for individual subject topics. These should be recorded in each of the Schemes of Work. A comprehensive list of online resources is also available through the school ‘wiki’ on www.wikispaces.com . An invite has been sent to all members of staff. This is still under development – but has the prospect of being an excellent reource for all staff and pupils.
Any problems with the hardware can be reported to the IT coordinator/teacher’s aide. They will endeavour to ensure that the faults are reported to our support team and dealt with as soon as possible.
Staff Development
Staff wishing to develop their IT skills have access to the ESIS course book and can apply for courses for their own Continued Professional Development. Funding through the GTCW can also be accessed. The IT coordinator will support and advise staff where possible on their on use of IT and how the school resources can be best used for the pupils to continue to develop their skills. The IT coordinator will also lead school INSET when necessary and attend update courses to ensure that we are ‘up to date’ with new technologies and developments.
Monitoring and Review
The IT coordinator will review this policy regularly. The school monitoring programme shows that each subject is addressed every three years.
Health and Safety
The safety of all children and adults at the school must be considered at all times. It is important that all machines be turned off correctly at the end of each day and that consideration is made with the over use of electricity when not required for example – IWB projectors turned off when not in use. (Eco-Schools). As our IWB are not fixed, we have a problem with trailing leads. Cable covering is available from the office and should be used whenever possible to ensure the safety of all in the classroom. Similarly, any trailing leads should be made safe.
15th May 2008
Jeannette Loveridge
IT Coordinator.
A Policy for Acceptable Internet Use is also available.
This policy was produced in May 2008 at presented to the staff for discussion. At list of hardware, software and other IT resources can be found in the curriculum leader’s file. Development over the coming years will focus on the requirements set to achieve the IT Mark for Hawthorn Primary School.