Somers Primary School

Rationale

Somers Primary School views Information and Communication Technologies as an integral part of all curriculum areas:

• Numeracy
• Literacy
• Integrated Studies
• LOTE
• Science

Information and Communication Technologies are used in the roles of learning, as a communication device and as a tool for gathering information. We believe that Information and Communication Technologies extend learning beyond the classroom and school to include local community and global resources and collaborations.

It is important that parents, as part of the partnership in their child's education, understand the role that Information and Communication Technologies play in the school curriculum and that the school endeavours to promote understanding within the parent community.

Somers Primary School acknowledges the rate of technological change and the accompanying challenges facing teachers. We value and encourage a learning environment where development and innovation are promoted and nurtured.

Goals

• To promote the use of Information and Communication Technologies as an integral part of each student's educational experience.
• To provide the knowledge, teach and demonstrate skills and behaviours for students to become competent and discriminating users of Information and Communication Technologies and applications including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, multimedia and electronic communication.
• To develop skills in a range of Information and Communication Technologies including word processing, spreadsheets, databases and electronic communication.
• To develop a cooperative learning environment that encourages peer and collegial support and confidence to explore aspects of technology.
• To provide staff opportunities for ongoing professional development and to build support teams for curriculum delivery, planning and administrative applications. Staff are trained in teams to provide mutual support and to spread the base of expertise.
• To draw upon parent and community expertise to enhance the learning environment and to communicate to parents how Information and Communication Technologies are used within our school.

Equality for All

Information and Communication Technologies will be applied across all learning areas. Teachers provide a diverse range of tasks, students are encouraged to develop skills and knowledge in a variety of Information and Communication Technologies and applications.

Teachers at Somers Primary School attend professional development courses to address both the use of hardware and software as well as the application of these into the classroom programs. Support is also provided through the use of a team approach to improve the quality of teaching and learning, to implement technology and to manage short and long term change.

Somers Primary School prides itself in having a 1:2 ratio of computers to students. Each classroom is fitted with an Interactive Whiteboard. They are suitable for learners of all ages and allow them to work collaboratively. Interactive whiteboards allow integration of audio, video, graphics, text and animation (from a wide variety of media) with lessons. Thus it provides not only enjoyment and interactivity, but also makes the learning process much more interesting and fun. It enables teachers to adopt different learning styles to meet the learners' needs. It can also help in creating a personalised learning environment. All computers are networked throughout the school and are connected to the internet.

Learning Outcomes

• Keyboard skills - typing tutor keyboard skill development program. Recommended time 15-30 mins per week.

• Word processing - keying, editing, formatting, importing.

• File management - retrieving, saving, storing, organising.

• Graphics - drawing, painting, selecting, importing, editing.

• Multimedia - accessing, creating, integrating, linking.

• Desktop publishing - creating text, creating graphics, designing layout, importing data.

• Electronic communications - retrieving, creating, sending, linking, downloading.

• Databases and spreadsheets - accessing, editing, sorting, structuring, reporting, calculating, analysing, charting.

• Pheripherals - mouse, printer, scanner, digital camera, digital projector, CD burner.