Module 10 Activity 7 - Budgeting

To complete any project, a budget needs to be devised.  Budgets guide your spending. Since my school is a government assisted school, the budget is controlled by a central area and dispersed through a priority system. At times, the school partners with Non-government organizations in order to get its projects completed.  In order to tackle small projects, the school engages in its own fundraising activities, partnering at times with the Parent Teachers Association.

Module 10 Activity 6 - Plan of Action

One needs to have a plan to steer the way forward to implementing any action, vision or proposal.  In the way forward, I looked at what was achieved, what i am in the process of doing and finally what still needs to be done.

This is the plan of action which I identified in completing the policy.

1.     Already achieved in my ICT priority area

One newly constructed building outfitted with smart board, projector, 13 computers, smart television set, DVD player, Internet connectivity. Teachers have laptops. A buy-in by teachers to engage in ICT integration. School email and website created. Creation of a high density computer learning area. ICT vision for the school. Security personnel perform round the clock security duty. Teachers collaborate and communicate continuously. A draft ICT integration policy.  2.     In the process of doing in my ICT priority area Continuous professional development training for teachers in the use of several ICT tools and applications. Writing the school's ICT policy. Identifying persons who will become members of the ICT - SMT. Seeking partnerships for low density learning centres/areas. Scheduling times when classes could access high density area for teaching and learning activities. 3. Still to be done in my ICT priority area Completing ICT policy. Creation of low density learning areas in Grades 4, 5 &6.

  

Module 10 Activity 5 - Draft ICT Policy

I was very eager to complete this activity so as to begin the implementation of the policy at my school.  It could not have come at an opportune time as I just completed the building and outfitting of my high density multi-media interactive learning centre.  I am very proud of this donation and achievement of my school and this policy will guide teachers and students to the use of ICT into subject/learning areas.

The school's ICT policy will incorporate the aspects of:
1. ICT and staff Development
2. ICTs and Curriculum
3. Maintenance
4. Assessment
5. ICT Infrastructure

These aspects are relevant to the success of ICT integration at the school.

Module 10 - Activity 4A - ICT and Curriculum Policy

My readings and reflections show the relationship and synergy between curriculum and ICT in the effective implementation of a school's ICT policy.  With ICT support:
1. teachers do things differently
2. classroom climate changes
3. teachers and students acquire skills
4. teachers and students know their roles and expectations in an ICT rich environment

In order for these to be effective, a plan outlining guidelines of what happens in terms of security, teaching and learning, assessment, acquisition and maintenance of resources and equipment and teachers professional development must guide the school's efforts.  Persons must have buy-in in the policy document for it to work effectively.