Module 9 Activity 10: "New Partnerships"

Partnerships are formed to achieve a common goal or vision. Schools are encouraged to form  partnerships with corporate citizens who will readily assist them in realising their dreams. In this joint venture partners will look at thier opportunities and the benefits should be mutual to both partners.  Your partnership letter sent to the company/individual should be professional, clear and precise in expression.

 My Partnership Letter

                                                                  Princess Margaret School

                                   Hilda Davis Drive & Dickenson Bay Street St. John’s, Antigua W.I.

Founded 1955                                                               Motto: The World is in Need of Good Men and Women

Phone   1-268-462-0422/460-9152                                                                    Email : pmschool1955@gmail.com

17th May, 2013

Ms. Carol Beazer

Axcel Finance

P.O. Box 2620

High Street

St. Johns

Dear Ms. Beazer

I am writing on behalf of the Principal, Staff and Students of the Princess Margaret School, the 2013 Interschool Athletics Champions of whom your company is a proud sponsor.

As we seek to foster school improvement and enhancing the students learning experience, we at the school have embarked on a mission to fully integrate ICT within the school’s curriculum. The shared vision is: To develop a curriculum in which ICT is integrated into all learning areas so that the learners and educators can use ICT confidently, creatively and productively as they work collaboratively to develop 21st Century learning skills to help them to realize their true potential educationally so that they can take their rightful place in society.

After  meeting with the Principal and Management Team, your esteemed company has been selected as the ideal one to seek a request to further deepen the partnership as we seek to realize this vision.

We at the school are convinced that this partnership will prove to be of greater mutual benefit to both your company and the school.  Should you wish to engage us in this venture, the ICT Implementation team will avail itself at your convenience to discuss the details of this project. I can be contacted at 724-7126 or at bnardson@gmail.com or at the numbers and email mentioned above.

We look forward to developing an even stronger partnership with a favourable response.

Yours in Education

……………………………

Bernard E. Richardson

ICT Integration Coordinator

Module 9 Activity 8: Learning Area Vision

ICT Vision

To develop a curriculum in which ICT is integrated into all learning areas so that the learners and Educators can use ICT confidently, creatively and productively as they  work collaboratively in a flexible environment to develop 21st Century learning skills to help them to realise their true potential educationally so that they can take their rightful place in society. 

 

 LEARNING AREAS:

 

 ENGLISH LANGUAGE

 Using ICT skills to develop and apply knowledge. Providing learners with the opportunity to communicate more effectively and to develop critical literacy skills.

     •Improve writing and reading skills.

     •Develop speaking and listening skills.

     •Support collaboration, creativity, independent learning and     

       reflection.

    •Access information and respond to a widening range of texts.

    •Develop critical thinking, creativity and literary skills.

 MATHEMATICS

 Use a variety of ICT tools that can transform the teaching and learning process thus enhancing the mathematical experience, encourage critical and analytical thinking through problem solving activities.

  •Use various  software and tools to make different graphs to   

    present data.

 •Use mathematical ICT to perform problem solving activities and 

   tasks.

 •Use ICT tools in creating patterns, exploring properties of angles   and shapes, symmetry, visualizing and manipulating 3D objects and recording and displaying data.

 

 SCIENCES

 ICT can be used to enhance learners understanding through research and investigation of science concepts using real world situations, solving problems, collecting and analysing data and working collaboratively.

    •Records practical activities and experiments.

   •Use laptops in lesson to research specific topics

   •Conduct research using the internet.

   •Encourage critical thinking through analysis, evaluation and  

     conclusion.

 

 SOCIAL SCIENCES

 Use ICT tools effectively in investigating, creating and communicating ideas and information about social, cultural, historical and global issues. 

 •Use digital online material, charts, maps and data for analysing  

   historical and social trends,   geographical processes.

•Use  the technology to create, publish and present their learning.

•Use communication technologies - wikis, blogs to enhance the   

  critical and analytical thinking. 

 

 VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS

Use ICT to  provide exciting and unique opportunities for enriching and transforming Visual and Performing Arts teaching to support, guide, extend and externalise the thinking process of learners.

 •Use drawing and painting and graphic design software to create 

  art work.

 •Use digital still and video cameras.

 •Create electronic portfolios.

 •Video editing, creating 3D animation, virtual backdrops.

 •Sound mixing.

 •Use software to create original, exciting and creative musical 

   arrangements.

•Watch videos of dance and drama performances to learn about 

  techniques and expressions.

•Watch demonstration videos about techniques and processes.

•Research online to learn about established artists and artistes.

•Use social media to communicate with artists and artistes.

 

Module 9 Activity 7: Role of the Leader

 The Leader plays an integral role in the whole ICT integration process as s/he is responsible for ensuring that the vision is shared and that the shared vision is realised.
Within the school setting, the leader must at first believe in his/her vision and must be able to convince the teachers to share the saem vision. The leader is expected to engage all teachers (even the reluctant ones) and all other stakeholders so that they will realise the importance of the vision and be motivated to be apart of the process and wanting to implement it. The role of the leader is to  effectively plan, to work collaboratively  so that the vision can be realised.

Module 9 Activity 6: Survey Results

Based on the survey carried out at my School, the following conclusion was arrived at:

•  The teachers at my school are halfway between the "Adoption Stage" and the "Adaptation Stage" of the five stages of Professional Development.
•  The majority of teachers do have a vision for the use of ICT in the classroom. They have been using some form of ICT related technology in the classroom (some more than others) based on their ICT level competency. These include PowerPoint presentations, YouTube videos, the Internet and Word processing and Excel programs.
•  Teachers have been discovering the potential which ICT offers to enhance the teaching and learning process in terms of productivity. They have moved from only using ICT for research and administrative purposes to one of pedagogical means i.e. using ICT as a tool to teach.
•  There is a need for training of teachers in the use of ICT and ICT related technologies so that they can begin to integrate it more in their teaching.

In examining the survey results in the presentations of my colleagues, it is noticed that there are two common factors which resonate throughout the results. They are:

•  There is a need for Training among teachers in the use of ICT.

•  There is a need for the development/improvement of the Infrastructure so that ICT can be properly integrated in all schools.

Module 9 Activity 5: Lessons learnt from other Schools

LEARNING COMMUNITIES

The Antigua and Barbuda International Institute of Technology (ABIIT) prizes itself to be the leading ICT institution in Antigua and Barbuda and in the Eastern Caribbean States. The institution offers the best possible learning environment with all its modern teaching and learning facilities and its mission is “to foster academic access, scholarship and excellence as it builds a cadre of human resources with the skills, knowledge and attitudes that are current and relevant for the global job market.”

The Institution offers a modern facility with 12 fully equipped computer classrooms with LCD projectors and whiteboard. There are twenty computers in each classroom with a printer, high speed internet and software for the various programs taught.  There is campus wide wireless access so students can work by themselves or in groups wherever they choose to make a learning space. There is also a library and Mega lab with 45 computers, 2 printers, a plotter and high speed internet access (can be used as a flexible classroom area) and Group work area where students work in groups or independently. All Instructors are ICT competent and teach using the technology.

According to the Dean of the Institution, “The use of ICT skills permeates every aspect of the life at ABIIT and therefore impacts students, teachers and management alike.

The Instructors at ABIIT use a combination of teaching tools and strategies to include PowerPoint presentations, interactive websites, electronic test banks and test developers  in order to provide first world quality education. The administrative duties record keeping – attendance and marks are also done electronically.

 All students, whether in the business or ICT programs must therefore master basic ICT competences in order to perform even at a minimal level “and are engaged in various multimedia experiences and extensive group work activities. The students are able to access their academic information electronically through a data management system called SONIS which provides ready access to student records and class and room schedules and the likes.

 ABIIT prizes itself in bridging the digital divide in Antigua and Barbuda with an increase demand for IT training and tertiary level education.

It is hoped that in my school, attention will be paid to putting in place proper infrastructure so that we can become fully ICT equipped and to encourage both teachers and students to become involved in using ICTs so that they can develop critical thinking and life long learning.

Recommendations for my School

·         -  To move towards developing a concrete School ICT Strategic plan.

·         -  Train all Teachers in ICTs and to expose all students to ICT use.

·         -  Improve the Infrastructure so that ICT resources can be installed and be fully equipped for teacher and student use.