Module 9: Activity 4: Whole school conditions for ICT integration

Vision idea: 

At Pares Secondary School we envision a plant that is highly secured and ICT friendly through the following:- 

•  The use and application of up-to-date ICT tools.

• The use of online and offline modes of ICT to support the teaching and learning process.

• The availability of on-site and just-in-time technical support for teachers which are flexible and extendable beyond the classroom.
• The involvement of parents and communities.
• The availability of sufficient computer facilities and digital resource materials
• The availability of reliable internet connection.

After the activity:

What have I learnt about whole school conditions for ICT integration:

A school where ICT is to be integrated is expected to :- 

• show change
• collaborate with other schools and the community at large
• have ICT infrastructure in place
• participate in project-based learning
• make use of the elements of 21st learning
• incoorperate ICT in the curriculum
• utilize student-centred environment
• show transformation of teaching/learning
• distribute leadership amongst the staff to allow for collaborative, innovative and adaptive decision-making

What I feel is my biggest challenge in achieving ICT integration in my school:
My biggest challenge would be financial aid for the installation and maintenance of infrastructure and security.     

Module 9: Activity 3: Thinking about the whole school

With the exception of the timetable, every area mentioned on the Whole School Improvements Framework is in need of improvement. It is the first time that my school has invested in timetable software. This has proven to be rather beneficial since many of the clashes that occurred when timetabling is manually done have been eliminated.

Administration, financial management and fundraising are areas that have been doing pretty well and can continue without my intervention. However, on the other hand, curriculum and assessment, leadership, physical resources, critical reflection, partnerships, behaviour and codes of conduct, teamwork and staff appraisal and development can definitely be helped with the integration of ICT.

My vision for the areas that would require my constant attention is as follows:-

• For curriculum and assessment – the inclusion of 21^st century elements of learning. This will help to make the students responsible for their own learning. It would also help educators to become facilitators rather than information givers.   The IT, home economics and visual arts educators are known for integrating ICT in their lessons and there has been a vast improvement on the quality of work that is produced by the students. Through workshops, interactive activities, collaboration and communication, other leaders in my group can learn from my example.

• For physical resources – I wish that the entire plant would get a face lift, improvement in security, installation of ICT infrastructure in all the classrooms and erection of a fence.

• For critical reflection – Avenues would be made available for  educators at my school to do this. The inclusion of collaborative tools can aid in this aspect. It would help the staff to practice this in their classes which would aid in the students learning to think critically.

• For leadership, partnerships, teamwork, staff appraisal and development, behaviour and codes of conduct – I would incorporate the help of experts in these fields to have improvement sessions with the staff. The importance of these aspects would be made clear since in my opinion, these aspects are not deemed as important to a good percentage of the staff at my school. 

Closing comments: the PPT presentations put forward by my collegues were quite interesting and informative. If we could could bring into being the visions that we have for our schools, Antigua educational system will be the envy of many and all stakeholders will benefit greatly.

Module 9: Activity 2: School Scenarios

 After the acitivty:

What I feel about corresponding with the group: I feel quite comfortable coressponding with the group. As a matter of fact, I have learnt alot from thier contributions and see some of their ideas being implemented in my school. 

How often I check my email: I check my email numerous times in throughout the day. Once my phone gives the alert, I check it. 

How I could improve group communication: 

1. gathering individuals' addresses for communication tools such as emails, Skype, ooVoo,What's App, facebook to name a few
2. establish the rule of  respecting everyoe's contribution to discussions etc.
3. remove communication barriers through brainstorming and the like

 How I feel about the course so far: I am please so far with the course because I have been challenged to use critical thinking and wise decision-making choices to find the most appropriate ways of solving different issues as a leader.

 

 Closing Comments:

The scenarios presented in this activity encouraged critical thinking since as a leader we had to arrive at workable solutions to the problems. At times similarities were seen with the solutions but each team member added his/her touch to them. It is very important as leaders that we be tactful in the way we deal with our subordinates for want of a better word. 

Module 9: Activity 1: Leadership in the digital age

ACTIVITY 1: Initial thoughts about leadership:

Before the activity:

What I think about leadership in general: 

• the ability to work amicably with others to achieve common goals
• it involves wise use of human and non-human resources to inprove the present situation
• the ability to use initiatives
• being able to use challenges as stepping stones towards achieving 
• commitment
• consistency of effort in carryout duties
• working with passion
• enpowering colleagues by distributing tasks to them
• coordinating the overall flow of things  

 What would I like to know about leadership:

• how to incoorporate ICT in my leadership role
• how to decide which leadership style is appropriate for a given situation

 After the activity:

 What I learnt about leadership in the digital age:

Five instructions given to leaders by R. Pellissier are

1. Manage the change or transition meaning to:- release old practices and adapt new ones; no micro management; involve all stakeholders in decision-making; tactfully sell the idea of change; allow period of mourning for old practices; give incentives for those who make positive efforts to aid with the smooth transition of change; identify the advantages that can be gained and state the ills that would be wrought without it.
2.  Build a resilient school meaning to:- sell the idea of ICT readiness; allow sometime for new knowledge/concepts to set in (not be hasty see change) and provide support teams that will make the transtition from traditional approach to technoloigical approach easier(heterogeneous groups). 
3. The old way of repeating and imitating just don't 'cut it', so get ready to be destablised, meaning:- rote learning and do as I say methods go against the grain of students' learning styles; it can't be business as usual because edcuation is consistently changing; since educators are responsible for ensuring that the environment is conducive to the development of the students' future, they should be willing to disturb the status quo of the school.
4. Managing the present and future eulogise the past where necessary means:- pay homage to past practices and use them as stepping stones for the change; a leader must find a balance between the two extremes
5. Create and maintain the school as a learning and knowledge-creating organization, that is to say:- never get flusteres or worried about conflicts that occur in your school. Instead use them as learning experiences for all stakeholders; never down-house an individual whos steps outside the box and stretches the walls of the institution. Remember that learning should cater for a wide range of styles and methods; flexibility is the key; allow time for educators to develop themselves. Be the encouraging factor towards the acquisition.

How do I feel about the module so far: At present, I feel anxious about this module and waiting to see what it contains for my development in leadership.

Closing Comments: Leadership plays a vital role in the success or failure of any organization. It is therefore left up to the indivual to decide whether he/she will help to build or breakdown the stadning of an organization.  If  a leader approaches leadership with an open mind lots of benefits can be gleaned.

MODULE 9: ICT LEADERSHIP IN SCHOOLS; ACTIVIY 0

Ah! Here we move to another module that will help us with our leadership in the 21st Century and beyond. It is my hope that all will go well and the end results of hard work will be evident.

Module 7: Activity 11 - 21st century learning environment

This was quite an exciting and fulfilling activity because I got an opportunity to design my 21st Century Classroom. If this ever materializes, my students and I will benefit greatly. The changing paradigm of learning spaces provides opportunities for higher levels of development.

The idea of the Flipped Classroom fascinates me. However, I wonder if my country will ever reach this stage.