ICT Policy

ICT Policy Redwood N.S. 2018

Mission Statement
As well as being an important educational resource, the ability to use ICT effectively is a vital life skill in modern society.
We strive to achieve this aim by the following:

To give pupils and staff opportunities to succeed in a safe digital environment.
To provide high quality ICT resources and support for both pupils and staff.
To continuously improve the ICT skills of pupils and staff.
To motivate and inspire pupils through the use of ICT.
To enable all pupils and staff to become confident, competent and independent users of ICT.
To help all children to evaluate the benefits of ICT and to raise awareness of the significance of information communication technology in society.
To provide opportunities for all pupils to enhance their learning in all subjects across the curriculum through the use of ICT.
To use ICT to develop partnerships beyond the school. e.g. local community etc.
To celebrate success in the use of ICT.

Our commitment is based on our vision of ICT as a vital tool of learning and teaching.
Our aim is to use technology to enhance the overall educational experience for all pupils, teachers and parents.

Rationale

Our school requires ICT in order to provide the best possible education for all our pupils.
ICT will help to prepare children for life in a technologically advanced world.
ICT provides staff with a powerful and modern, up to date teaching resource.
ICT helps provide a more effective communication method between parents and staff.
ICT allows for more effective administration.

How ICT will be used

School Administration – accounts software.
Interactive Whiteboards with software e.g Jolly Phonics, Bua na Cainte etc - allows the children to interact with the on-screen resources in a child-friendly way.
I-pads x 4
Laptops x 6 for pupil use
Word processing packages of children’s work - Children’s work displayed, children’s folders on laptops, typing.
Games that stimulate higher order thinking skills and problem solving e.g. Brain snack
Engagement with animation software e.g. Scratch
Research on the internet
School website – provides an opportunity for pupils to publish and celebrate their work. The website is updated regularly and reflects the many activities and projects in which the school is involved.
School blog.
Communication via email
Communication with parents e.g. TextaParent
Digital recording on i-pads
Special Needs pupils.

Internet Access
Internet access is planned to improve and enhance learning activities and is an integrated part of the teaching and learning across all the curriculum areas in Redwood N.S.

Pupils receive guidance when using the internet
Internet use is supervised
We have an Acceptable Usage Policy in place
Pupils are taught what is acceptable and unacceptable
Pupils are encouraged to report immediately any unacceptable material that they may access
To protect against any inappropriate material, we access our internet via the schools broadband programme (NCTE- National Care for Technology in Education) which applies filtration to internet content. Children do not have access to any social media websites e.g. YouTube as the filtration level for pupils remains at level 3

ICT Framework
We follow the basic guidelines as outlined in the ‘Revised ICT Framework – A structured approach to ICT in Curriculum and Assessment’ as published by NCCA in November 2007.

Expected Skills and Learning Outcomes for ICT at each class level
Junior Infants, Senior Infants and 1st class

Become familiar with vocabulary related to ICT: mouse, screen, monitor, keyboard, interactive whiteboard, cameras etc.
Navigate the interactive whiteboard with their hands.
Navigate the i-pads with their fingers.
Use apps on the i-pads to reinforce learning from lessons.
Use interactive learning sites as chosen by the class teacher on whiteboards.
Use maths games online e.g. folensonline.ie / Operation Maths
Have ample opportunities for interaction with the whiteboard e.g. Jolly Phonics, Bua na Cainte etc.

Use and navigate a variety of software packages, currently including Jolly Phonics, Bua na Cainte, Operation Maths etc.
Continue learning to use software to engage in learning – same software as for infant classes
Continued use of interactive whiteboard activities

Through curriculum integration, improve reading/ writing/maths/art skills through games etc.
Learn about safety on the internet (Webwise chapter 2, 3, 4 & 5)

2nd class

As for junior infants, senior infants and 1st class, plus the following:

Learn to use the mouse / finger pad.
Learn to use Microsoft Word to draft creative writing using upper and lower case letters.
Learn to use a keyboard and type their name.
Become more familiar with basic computer terms ie monitor, keyboard, mouse, enter, return, space bar, delete
Learn to use Microsoft Word to draft, edit and publish creative writing.
Integrate with reading words such as enter/click/double click/delete/return.
Curriculum integration reading and writing (word processing), maths, spelling, tables etc.
Blog for junior room on school website.

3rd class and 4th class

As for 2nd class, plus the following:

Format texts e.g. change to bold/italics/underline.
Change fonts, font sizes and colours.
Learn how to use drop down menus.
Learn to operate the CD player.
Insert and eject discs from laptop.
Blog on school website.
Publish work on school website.
Learn to search for information using the internet.
Learn how to use Microsoft Paint to create work.
Use internet interactive learning sites.
Learn about safety on the internet – webwise Chp 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10

Introduction to PowerPoint for presentations.
Scratch animation.
Use of Prezi presentation.
Storybird.
Kahoot.
Sourcing information for factual projects.
Able to source images and paste on presentations etc.

5th class
As for 3rd & 4th class, plus the following:

Develop further use of Microsoft Word tools such as WordArt, copy & paste, spell-check, align.
Learn to create folders/store/save/retrieve information on laptops.
Use of USB storage devices.
Introduction to Audioboom.
Learn about safety on the internet: Cyberbullying – Webwise, My Selfie and Chp 4
Running and loading software.
Learn to exploit further features of Microsoft Word – tables/text boxes/columns etc.

6th class
As for 5th class, plus the following:

Internet safety - safety re social networking sites etc.
Use of i-pads to record class presentations / individual work.

Summary of School Audit
Current Infrastructure

In keeping with our mission, we perceive laptops being used as a tool of teaching and learning in each classroom. All laptops are networked to our own internal network including networked printing.
Our current broadband provider is Eir, as dictated by Department of Education and Skills Schools Broadband scheme.
NCTE (National Centre for Technology in Education) provides internet content filtering.
We currently have 4 Apple i-pads in use from junior infants – 6th class.
We currently have 6 pupil laptops available for use.
Most up-to-date operating system to be chosen when purchasing new computers.
Each classroom has an interactive whiteboard and teacher laptop.
There are 2 digital cameras in the school for use by the classes.
We have recently acquired a tripod for use by all the classes with an i-pad.
We currently have one set of speakers for the laptops.
The office is equipped with a laptop and colour printer /photocopier/scanner.

Current Software Provision

The school has acquired computer software which is stored in the class that it is appropriate for. e.g. Jolly Phonics, Bua na Cainte, Listening Post, Acceleread/write.
More and more material can be sourced online, including educational sites that work in conjunction with textbooks and the curriculum.
Computer installation software is stored in the office.

Current Usage of Facilities

Computers are used as a medium of teaching and learning in all the classrooms, therefore it is not necessary to timetable computer hours.
Current usage includes pre-reading and early reading work; pre-number and early number work; mathematical application; development of thinking and problem solving skills; word processing,; use of multimedia encyclopaedia and typing skills; internet work; presentation of project work; creating art work; spelling; development of fine motor skills; music and recording.
Staff are encouraged and frequently attend ICT courses for up-skilling and continuous development.

Additional Information

ICT Co-ordination
The Principal, Michelle Hogan has been assigned the role of ICT co-ordinator.

Duties include:

Researching price of ICT equipment, hardware and software before purchasing.
Ordering ICT equipment once approval has been granted by the Board of Management.
Arranging for delivery and installation of ICT equipment.
Keeping a record of equipment purchased.
Arranging for the safe storage of ICT equipment.
Arranging for training and up-skilling of staff on the use of ICT.
Ensuring that all staff are aware of the security procedures in relation to ICT equipment.
Maintenance of ICT equipment.

Ensuring that anti-virus protection is installed on all computers with access to broadband.
Maintains the school website.
Shares useful professional websites with other members of staff.

Access

Pupils and teachers have permanent access to ICT.
Parental permission is requested via the school’s Acceptable Usage Policy permission prior to photographs being published.
Pupils may only use the laptops under supervision.
Redwood NS uses the school broadband system which filters content at level 3 for pupil use and at level 4 for teacher use.
Pupils are not able to access social networking sites and or any other site that is deemed inappropriate.
Teachers are allowed to bring home school laptops to allow for administration and class planning.

Special Needs

Laptops are available 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 use ICT where appropriate, to provide alternative and complementary educational experiences.

Exceptional Needs

ICT is used in both classrooms to challenge and extend the educational opportunities for pupils of exceptional abilities.

Security, Technical Support and Maintenance

The laptops and i-pads are locked away in a store room every evening.
The ICT co-ordinator provides ongoing technical support on a voluntary basis.
Iain Martin, AIM Computer Services currently looks after any maintenance contract for our IT needs.
Iain Martin, AIM Computer Services also currently takes care of any technical support required.
EMS Copiers currently looks after maintenance for printer/photocopier needs.

Teacher Continuous Professional Development

It is the role of the ICT co-ordinator to provide staff with information regarding relevant courses from NCTE (National Centre for Technology in Education), various education centres and any online suitable courses available in the area of ICT.
Both teachers have received training from PDST on ICT – See attached appendix A
The ICT co-ordinator has received training from an ICT summer course.
Staff members have received training through various education centres on ICT.
In addition, staff members regularly contribute to each other’s development in ICT through advice and demonstration.

Health and Safety

All new laptops purchased comply with EU regulations regarding radiation.
Appropriate seating is being made available.
Any faults found are logged with the ICT co-ordinator and appropriate action will be taken.

Licences
All software used in Redwood NS is fully licensed.

School website

The school hosts a website at www.redwoodns.ie
School blogs, information for parents and other news items are regularly updated.
School policies that are relevant to parents are also available on the website.
The school gives the pupils the opportunity to publish school work on the school website, and also publishes photographs of school activities.
Content focusing on individual students will not be published on the school website without parental signed consent.
Parental permission is requested via the school’s Acceptable Usage Policy. It is requested that the Acceptable Usage Policy is signed by both the pupil and a parent before the student can access the internet in school.
The school also has a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/redwoodns.
The school also has a Twitter page @RedwoodNS
We have a Facebook and Twitter Policy in place
Both the school website and the Facebook / Twitter pages are both monitored by the ICT co-ordinator, Michelle Hogan.

Review of ICT Policy
As ICT is such a valuable tool for learning and curriculum implementation, its use is continuously under review by the teaching staff. Matters such as the website, facebook page, new software or equipment are discussed at staff meetings.

This policy will be reviewed in June 2020.
The aim of this review is to ensure that the potential for ICT is maximised in the school.

Communication and Ratification
Ratified by the Board of Management of Redwood N.S.

Signed:____________________                                            Signed:_____________________
            Kathleen Gleeson                                                                    Michelle Hogan
            Chairperson                                                                             Principal
Date:                                                                                       Date: