Everything Education

Antigua and Barbuda CCTI Graduation

2014-03-25T17:01:00.001-07:00

Activity 7 Budgeting

2014-03-09T15:03:00.000-07:00

It is very important to have a budget for ICT for the school. It helps to know how much money is being spent already and how much would be needed to maintain ICT usage for a period of time. Stakeholders also need to be aware of how much money they would be spending as part of the ICT investment.

Activity 6 Plan of Action

2014-03-09T14:59:00.001-07:00

My plan ICT PLANNING FOR SCHOOLS

YOUR NAME: Anthea Thomas

Activity 6A – Plan of action

Initial ICT planning template

In each section below, there is space to write your thoughts on the progress being made at your school in your chosen area of priority. If you work directly on this screen, print out your work so that you do not lose it.

Already achieved in my ICT priority area

1. Teachers are equipped with laptops
2. School has projector, screen, printers, desktop pc, radio, digital camera
3. Wireless internet access
4. A vision for ICT has been developed
5. Teachers use ICT tools in their lessons
6. Ict use in administration

In the process of doing in my ICT priority area

1. Developing a school ICT plan
2. Training for teachers
3. Developing the schools ICT policy

Still to be done in my ICT priority area

Getting the structure necessary to house the eqipment securely
2. Partner with the community to provide additional infrastructureof action

Activity 5 Draft ICT Policy

2014-03-09T14:53:00.001-07:00

My draft ICT policy would include the following

Draft ICT Policy
Staff
1. All teachers will have access to ICT tools that are in the school's possession.
2. All teachers must be engaged in period training in the use of ICT tools in the classroom.
3. All teachers must integrate ICT into their instructional processes daily.
4. Encouraged to use ICT in their administrative duties.
5. Ensure that each child have ample opportunity to use ICT in the classroom.

Students
1. Students will access ICT tools only when they are told to do so by the teacher. ICT tools such as laptops, tablets and cellphones are allowed to be used when instructed to do so.
2. Students will be given a controlled time when they can use devices outside of instruction

ICT Cordinator
1. The ICT coordinator will keep a record of all the schools ICT equipped and will be responsible to schedule maintenance.
2. Will act as the guide to the principal where ICT budget is to be allotted.
3. Will be responsible to ensure that adequate security is available for the ICT tools.
4. Will report on a termly basis on the steps taken in ICT

Security
1. Students should not be allowed to have access to internet and computer passwords.
2. Saving of document when using school PC's should be done on flash drives
3. All equipment will be marked for identification

Activity 3 Planning for ICT's

2014-03-09T14:49:00.001-07:00

The mission of my school is "To provide a comprehensive educational experience through quality instruction and guidance to pupils and parents thereby creating productive individuals in our global society."

School ICT vision
"To develop a community of learners by incorporating ICT into school practice thereby preparing students, teachers and parents for a technologically, changing and global society."

Both shows that the overall goal is to produce well rounded people in our society.

YOUR NAME: Anthea Thomas

Activity 3B - General SWOT analysis of our school

General SWOT analysis of your school

strengths:

The school has broadband internet connections
Two stationery desktops
Each teacher has a laptop
There is access to a projector and screen, digital camera and radio.
There are two printers that are connected to a network.
Teachers have a positive attitude towards ICT integration
The school currently has a facebook page
The staff is working on an ICT school plan
A vision for ICT has been created by the staff
The school has commenced use of the EMIS system

Weaknesses:

Not enough equipment to meet the needs of all students
No ICT policy
Spacing is limited
No proper security
No set schedule of how and when teachers should use ICT in the classroom.
Training needed for teachers

Opportunities:

· Ready training for teachers is available as a member of staff is trained in areas of ICT integration.

· Support from the business community to donate needed equipment/tools

· Expansion of the school structure by the government

Threats:

Ict tools are easy target for thieves as there is no proper security.

Activity 2 Policy for ICT

2014-03-09T14:41:00.000-07:00

It is very important to have a school ICT policy. A policy can help to guide the usage of ICT in the school by both staff and students. Important aspects to include in the school's policy include curriculum integration, staff development and security and maintenance.

My School ICT phase Activity 1A Module 10

2014-01-22T06:33:00.001-08:00

It is down to the final module :) . I am excited as the finish line is in sight. It is obvious from the discussions with the other teachers that schools in Antigua are in varying phases of ICT integration.

My school is currently in the applying phase. In addition to the laptops that teachers have been given, the school has two desktop PC's that are utilize by teachers and students alike. Teachers have been integrating ICT into their various lessons. Using youtube videos have become habitual for many teachers. Other uses include using projectors , showing movies and playing interactive games. Introduction of lessons with video created with xtranormal and Goanimate is also quite common. Teachers are very open minded to the integration of the ICT and I am very happy to be able to share with them the knowledge gained from doing this course over the years.
The Ict tools are also used for administration, for eg. teachers now submit their extents via email and the school has now gone online in the country's system where students now have their reports printed online. This means that teachers have to submit their grades and mark their attendance electronically.

Drawbacks would include not enough ICT tools mainly computers where group work and individual work can be done on a regular basis. Not withstanding that fact, students are enjoying the change in the presentation of their various lessons

Acitivity 4 The One Computer Classroom

2013-11-15T07:40:00.003-08:00

The one computer classroom is a classroom that has one or few computers. The computer in this classroom can be a very useful tool to the teacher as well as to the students. Teachers can input grades, type exams and complete other administrative duties. Students can use it for projects, to do research and much more. The teacher in a one computer classroom has to plan very carefully in order to effectively use this type of classroom.

Activity 3 Learning Labs

2013-11-15T07:28:00.002-08:00

Computer labs have been around in schools for many years. A lab is decked out with sufficient computers for each person to access. Students would visit the labs where they would be taught mainly Information Technology as a separate and distinct subject area. This make it difficult to integrate ICT as students would have to leave their classes to go to the labs. The aim of ICT integration is that the tools be used in the classroom and for students to have access to them right there and then. When students have to leave and go to the lab they will not be able to connect what they did in the class to what is taking place in the lab.

Activity 2 ICT Enabled Classroom

2013-11-15T07:24:00.001-08:00

With the increase in technology and various technological devices, today's classrooms are being integrated with ICT. Classrooms are now equipped with tools such as wireless internet, interactive whiteboards, computetrs, projectors and other digital tools with the aim of making teaching and learning more relevant to our global society.

Module 8: Managing Learning and Teaching with ICT Activity 1

2013-11-15T07:18:00.002-08:00

Classroom Management
Having good classroom management principles in an ICT classroom is no different to a classroom without ICT. However, there must be principles put in place to guide the usage and maintenance of the ICT tools used in the classroom.

Activity 3: Thinking about Wholeschool,

2013-04-15T10:49:00.001-07:00

In my school, there is noticeable effort by all members of staff in using ICT in the classroom. Although the school is small and lack the necessary space, we are privilege to have broadband internet connection which has allowed us to create a network where teachers can print from the same printer without leaving their classrooms. Teachers utilize the internet and the projector in presenting the lessons to their students.
That being said, every area in the whole school framework would need improvement in my school. Everything is still being done manually. Students academic progress is still being tracked using their report cards. Administration records are still being hand written. There is access to a software that will keep track of funds but it is not in use. Teachers recently have started to email their extents so that a master document can be created rather than writing in books.
The physical resource is much needed as we are desiring to have more classrooms where we can have at least one classroom that will be equipped or outfitted as an ICT classroom.

Activity 2: School Scenarios

2013-04-15T10:34:00.000-07:00

This activity was very insightful. It draws attention to the good and bad of using ICT in school. It also shows that good planning is needed in order to accommodate the ICT equipment and training is needed in order to eliminate the fear that staff may having in using and teaching their students.

Activity 1 Elearning in the Connected Classroom

2013-02-08T06:33:00.000-08:00

From the online collaboration discussion, it is noted that there are a lot of skills that students need to be taught in the 21st Century. These include, life and career skills, organizational skills, higher order thinking skills and creative skills. As teachers the onus is on us to expose and give our students as much opportunity as possible in the classroom.

Activity 4 Module 1 Behaviourism

2012-10-02T09:20:00.000-07:00

It is important that we developed well rounded students for the society we live in today! Students need to learn good behaviour in addition to their academics. When students behaviour are not on par with acceptable behaviours then it makes the work of the teacher much harder than it should be. Teachers in turn now have to develop strategies that will eliminate the unacceptable behaviours in the classroom. I have utilised strategies such as giving the child who is misbehaving responsibilities in the classroom, such as if I have to leave the class, that particular student would be in charge of the class until I get back. Just this week I had a student that was very disruptive in class. I would always be calling out to this one student , I noticed that this student had a very nice handwriting and so I began to compliment him on his writing and I noticed that he became quiet. He liked been complimented.

Activity 3 Module 1 Reading 2

2012-10-02T09:00:00.002-07:00

From the readings and from my colleagues responses, I can conclude that it is very important for us a teachers to understand and value each student as individuals and not put any stigmas on them. We as teachers can meet each student at his or her needs. All students can learn as they come to us with a wealth of experiences that we can build on, in addition we as teachers can learn from our students as well. When we learn to acknowledge that we do not know everything then we can begin to create an atmosphere that is conducive to learning in all our classrooms.

Activity 1 Module 1: What is learning?

2012-09-20T07:43:00.000-07:00

The reading from Whitaker is an eye-opener as many times we as teachers and notice (we) at one point in time look at our children as empty vessels, not knowing anything to us. We may have even said that some of our students cannot learn. However, Whitaker allows us to see that our students come to us with a wealth of knowledge that they have gained unintentionally and once we are aware of this, we would be better able to work with our students better in the classroom. We also be able to help our students to take responsibility for their learning. Once this is done we will have classrooms where teachers act as guides stimulating learning rather than trying to fill empty vessels.
Reading the statements of my colleagues I must say that I indeed agree with many of them. It is my hope to continue as a teacher to broaden my horizons so that I may continue to make my mark as a teacher.

At a Training Session

2012-06-26T18:25:00.002-07:00

Google Questionnaire

2012-06-12T11:42:00.000-07:00

Please click here Google Questionnaire to complete this questionnaire.

Google Brainstorming Document

2012-06-12T11:39:00.001-07:00

Please click on the link to contribute to my google document.Google Brainstorming Document.

ANU 20/20 ICT INITIATIVE

2012-05-01T11:26:00.001-07:00

Okay, so the government in partnership with LIME has distributed laptops to teachers. To add further, today they have started a three day workshop which is geared towards encouraging teachers to use their laptops effectively. So far for the day, I am sitting here , feeling kinda bored hoping to hear something new that will spike my interest, something that can be used in my classroom . Well who knows maybe in the days to come that will become a reality. In the meantime..........

Collection of Classroom Jokes

2012-02-27T08:01:00.001-08:00

Teacher: Maria please point to America on the map.
Maria: This is it.
Teacher: Well done. Now class, who found America?
Class: Maria did.

Teacher: Tell me a sentence that starts with an "I".
Student: I is the...
Teacher: Stop! Never put 'is' after an "I". Always put 'am' after an "I".
Student: OK. I am the ninth letter of the alphabet.

Teacher: How can we get some clean water?
Student: Bring the water from the river and wash it.

The teacher speaking to a student said, "Saud, name two pronouns."
Saud who suddenly woke up, said, "Who, me?'

Teacher: Today, we're going to talk about the tenses. Now, if I say "I am beautiful," which tense is it?
Student: Obviously it is the past tense.

Teacher: "Nick, what is the past participle of the verb to ring?"
Nick: "What do you think it is, Sir?"
Teacher: "I don't think, I KNOW!"
Nick: "I don't think I know either, Sir!"

A teacher asked a student to write 55.
Student asked: How?
Teacher: Write 5 and beside it another 5!
The student wrote 5 and stopped.
teacher: What are you waiting for?
student: I don't know which side to write the other 5!

Little Johnny: Teacher, can I go to the bathroom?
Teacher: Little Johnny, MAY I go to the bathroom?
Little Johnny: But I asked first!

Teacher: Why are you late?
Student: There was a man who lost a hundred dollar bill.
Teacher: That's nice. Were you helping him look for it?
Student: No. I was standing on it.

Integrating Word Processor in a Language Arts Lesson

2012-02-09T08:02:00.000-08:00

This is a lesson that I created to show how MS Word can be used by the teacher in the classroom as part of the lesson.

Name of Lesson	Story Writing The Lost Dog
Author	Anthea Thomas
Grade	Six
Subject	Language Arts
Curriculum / Standards	Students should be able to compose a story that includes characters, setting, conflict, conflict solution and a conclusion.
Materials, measurements, data required	Computers, projector and projector screen, handouts The handout will provide the students with an outline of the story. The students will be grouped to write each part of the story. There will be four groups as there are 8 children in the class.
Time required	1 hour
Activities and procedures
Prior learning	Students should be able to write a paragraph
ICT Skills and resources	To be able to use Microsoft word , be able to save a document, the computers and projector.
Learner activity	The activity will be learner centered as the learners themselves will create the story without the aid of the teacher
Procedure	Introduction: Teacher will tell the main aim of the lesson to the students. Students will be placed in groups of two around a computer. Students will be then be given the handout. Step One: Teacher will go to each group and explain to them what they should be doing. Group one will write the introduction of the story. Group two will write the problem / conflict. Group three will write the conflict and group four will write the conclusion. Step Two : Students will be allowed time to do their writing. Teacher will visit each group to ensure that each group member is contributing and give assistance where necessary. Step Three: Teacher will copy what eah group has done and show it on the projector screen. Teacher and students will go through the story to see if it makes sense.
Follow-up activities
Assessment	Teacher will take each paragraph that the groups did and go through to ensure that they met the relevant requirements. For example, Did the introduction list the characters and bring out the setting?
Student Follow-up	Students will be giving a printed copy of the story to edit .
Dependancies	The activity will be done by the teacher only.
After the lesson

Sample Lesson Integrating Spreadsheet

2012-02-09T07:56:00.000-08:00

A sample lesson plan to show the integration of spreadsheet without teaching spreadsheets in isolation.

Name of Lesson	Weather and Climate
Author	Anthea Thomas
Grade	Five
Subject	Social Studies
Curriculum / Standards	Students should be able to use the data collected to show the daily temperature both day and night over a seven day period
Materials, measurements, data required	Students recordings of the daily temperature collected before the lesson Four laptops projector
Time required	One hour
Activities and procedures
Prior learning	Students can define and identify the instrument used for measuring temperature .
ICT Skills and resources	Students will using the laptop as well as excel
Learner activity	This activity is student centered and will also be self paced.
Procedure	Step One: Review previous lessons with students through brief questionning. Tell students the aim of the lesson. Let students know that they would be showing the data they have collected on a graph. Illicit students knowledge of how this can be done. Discuss students answers. Let students know that the computer and a specific program will be used to do so. Step Two: Place students into groups of three’s . Each group will have a laptop to use. There will be three persons in each group. Proceed to turn on the laptops. Have students open Excel Step Three: Using the projector so that the whole class can view, open excel and point students to the meaning and or use of the letters and numbers. Teacher will proceed to outline the headings needed to create the graph. Teacher will demonstrate and then allow students to do so on the computers that they are using. Each student in the group will take turns putting details into Excel. Teacher will visit each each group to make sure that they are doing the correct thing. The lesson will proceed in a likely manner until all the data have been added and the graph created.
Follow-up activities
Assessment
Student Follow-up	The graphs will be printed and students will answer questions based on the graph that students have created. Questions include Which day had the highest temperature? etc
Dependancies	Since there is only two computers at the school, I will depend on teachers to lend their laptops for the students to use.
After the lesson

Reflections on Spreadsheet Lesson Taught

2012-02-01T17:21:00.001-08:00

I took the advice that some of my colleagues gave, changed my lesson plan and administered to the students. I must say that the students really enjoyed being engaged with the computer. I was quite amazed at their excitement. From the graph produced the students were able to give their reasons as to the difference in temperature during the day and the night. Having the hands on experience would definitely cement the concept more clearly in the students minds. Looking forward to doing more lessons like this with my class.