Memo To: ICTWG Date: 30/11/08 Subject: ICTAC Fair
Introduction: The HHS ICTAC fair is an opportunity for all curriculum areas to place a higher profile in using a range of technologies for teaching and learning. Throughout a period of time, each department will apply a strong and meaningful focus, using an item of technology in many different ways to help develop confidence, knowledge, experience and pedagogy which can in turn, help other teachers within the same department and across the curriculum develop similar skills and applications.
Structure for the Fair: There are to be TWO foci for duration of the fair (Focus 1 and Focus 2). Each foci has two parts (a and b). • Part a - Implementation and Preparation • Part b - Application
Part a: Implementation and Preparation. This period of time is to be used by each department to familiarise themselves with their chosen technology and to arrange/ conduct any training which may be required. Some technical assistance/ work may be required for making the technology function correctly, this should also be identified and resolved during this part of the focus. The ICT champion and/or HOD (head of department) should also consider putting together a department plan to allow all teachers within the department an opportunity to use the technology for teaching and learning. The frequency of use and when this technology can be used (relevance for current project/ year group/ activity) is to be arranged by the department. This plan should be agreed and shared with staff within the department before part b of the focus commences. Essentially, the first part of each focus should prepare staff within the department for the second (Application) part of each focus.
Part b: Application. During this period of time each member of staff within the department should be allocated use of the chosen technology to apply and use within their teaching and learning. It is up to the department to decide when, how and who uses the technology but ideally this should be managed to allow all recipients (pupils) the opportunity to receive the same level of diet/ experience. This is/ could be an ideal opportunity to arrange lesson observations to share practice and teaching methods and ideally formal or informal feedback should take place within the department. How did it go? What problems arose? How did the pupils respond? If used again, what would need changing?
Times/ Dates: What:
Start:
End:
Duration:
Fair begins Focus 1a Focus 1b Focus 2a Focus 2b
January 5th 2009
February 13th
6 weeks
February 23rd April 20th June 1st
April 2nd May 22nd July 10th
6 weeks 5 weeks 6 weeks
Collecting and returning technologies: •
Each department/ ICT Champion is responsible for collecting and returning their chosen technologies. This could be done in person or where appropriate making arrangements with the ICT technicians.
•
Staff training should be arranged with JG to commence during part a of each focus. This can be done on an individual or department level. Please allow good time for this to take place.
•
Technical assistance should be sought early (if needed) during part a of each focus to ensure that as much as possible the technology can function correctly. Please consult the ICT technicians for this.
•
While the technology is with the department it is your responsibility to ensure that it is secure and safe.
Summary: A key purpose for the ICTAC Fair is to simply allow teachers to broaden their methods and allow opportunity to experience an alternative way of teaching and learning while also adding depth to personal development. Your chosen technology should be used to support or enhance current teaching and learning activities. However, this may also be an opportunity for some staff to radically change current teaching practise. Many teachers will be at very different stages/ levels of using technology for teaching and learning. Some staff may make big strides forward, while for others this could simply be an opportunity for making a small step outside usual comfort zones. The point is, all and any experience gained during the fair is valid and beneficial to your own teaching development and for the advancement of pedagogy for the school as a whole. I am more than happy to help any department or individual staff with any aspect of the ICTAC Fair. Such as, training, lesson support, help in making new lesson activities which compliment the chosen technology item, feedback or simply to have a discussion before or after involvement during any stage of the fair. Contact me to arrange this if you think I could help.