Module 10 - Activity 7 - Budgeting and Fundraising and Final Reflection

Budgeting and Fundraising

There needs to be a budget in place to reflect and allow the introduction and integration of ICTs into schools.  As schools think of investing in ICTs it is essential that they think of the benefits and prioritize on what they are going to invest in.  Schools should also think about how they are going to manage these ICTs since the realistic management of the cost of ICTs in schools is key to managing them.

Some areas of budget prioritizing should include

• Security, replacement, and repair of existing technologies and the training of staff to use them.

• Purchasing of new equipment, acquiring technical support and training staff to use these new technologies.

The Board of Education provides basic ICTs but these are limited when one thinks of steady progress at our school when introducing and utilizing ICTs for the benefit of learners and educators at the school.  It is therefore wise for the school to seek and create means to acquire additional ICTs in an effort to effectively integrate ICT into the teaching/learning process at the school.

Final Reflection

The journey through this module was not very smooth, not because the module was difficult but because of various health issues and other commitment and probably improper time management.  

There is some professional development taking place at my school however there needs to be a structure and continuity. We should utilize the technology and the resources that we have at the school more and make provision for anytime, anywhere training.

I will  support my continued learning by continuing to join online webinars and conferences, collaborating and communicating with schools locally and globally, keeping abreast of the research to develop my pedagogical skills by reading, sharing my knowledge and now that I should have some more time, reviewing the past modules. I will also engage in short courses for personal development.

Module 10: Activity 6 - Plan of Action

The ICT Plan of Action “take a strategic view of developments in staff expertise, resources and curriculum and seek to align these” The plans looks into developing resources (infrastructure and digital content), professional development (ICT use and pedagogy), and curriculum development (ICT capability and ICT use in subjects).

The following is the ICT Plan of Action for my school:

Plan of action

1.     Already achieved in my ICT priority area

Creating a shared vision A  SWOT analysis was conducted Carried out a survey to assess teachers competency and confidence Teachers are equipped with ICT tools, some students have personal tools but all have access (some more than others) at the school.     Majority of the teachers been using ICTs to enhance teaching and learning Although the school does not have a lab, it has a literacy centre which operates as a lab.  This centre is equipped with networked computers, laptops, a projector, digital camera, speaker, black and white laser printer and colour inkjet 3 in one printer, television, dvd/cd player, and three high speed internet access     Three wifi connection connect the school except one classroom   Administration started the process of getting the records into a database E-mail is used to communicate with teachers and the Ministry of education   Lexia reading software is used widely among Kindergarten to Grade 2, to a lesser extent the rest of the school and there is a home school link   The school has online presence (website, wordpress blog. Professional Learning Network)

   

2.     In the process of doing in my ICT priority area

Creating a mission to include ICT Creating and sharing the School’s ICT policy. Getting finances to update website for unlimited access to allow us to post unlimited information on this site and be able to add additional pages for our specific needs and to achieve the ultimate goal of this site, using it as a tool to deliver course work to student Conducting monthly PD sessions to develop competence and confidence in teachers’ ICT use in the teaching/learning process Connect with schools with ICT best practices

 3.     Still to be done in my ICT priority area

Complete and implement School’s ICT policy Collaborate, create and share resources at PLN Purchase new equipment (Interactive white boards, projectors, router) Peer teachers for support Secure the classrooms Set up advisory committee Implement functioning of Integrated Lead Teachers to provide modeling, anytime training

Module 10: Activity 5 - Draft ICT Policy

My one big thought about a ICT Policy:

To ensure the successful implementation of ICT in my school, the formulation of an ICT policy and regulation need to be done. The policy should contain key guidelines such as the vision, how to use the technologies, roles of all involved that would ensure the successful implementation of ICT in the school.  Infrastructure – especially access – connecting school, home and the community, appropriate rooms,  having enough available equipment that are functional are necessary for the effective integration of ICT in the classrooms.  Equally important is the security of these resources.