Module 9: Activity 8: Importance of vision

At Pares Secondary School I 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.

 

My one big thought about a vision for my school:

It is my hope that sooner than later, Pares Secondary School would be among the many schools worldwide that has integrated ICT across its curriculum. This can be achieved when the integration takes place with curriculum, spatial, temporal, pedagogical, and attitudinal.

How I feel about the course so far: I am quite please with the course because it has added new knowledge to my previous knowledge and has given me new insights into the importance of leadership.

 

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.