ICT Bus Trips
Chances to visit other schools and see good practice in action.
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Trip 1: Port Chalmers School - Date: 15th August, 9am
Meet at Wakari School
From the Principal:
'Our school is on a journey to prepare students for their future; we believe it is about engagement in the learning process, motivation to learn and independence as learners which will produce successful students. It is about preparing students for their future not a past world through using the tools students require for future learning.
The Learning @ Schools Conference in Rotorua gave a sense of urgency about preparing for the future and the pace of change. Marc Prensky, a key note speaker, described the problem for the 21st Century as Change. He advised us as teachers not to waste time learning to use those tools, children can already use them, teachers need to learn about them so we can help kids to evaluate them and teach about them, children will do the rest. The future will be about inventing new tools to solve problems.
Port Chalmers School is the lead school for the Tai o Rapuwai ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) cluster where our purpose is to up-skill our teachers to use those technologies children are familiar with as tools for learning and create the learning environments which will engage students. 2007 is the final year on this project and we are looking forward to sharing our learning with all our cluster schools in the third term. The schools will all come together and share their inquiry units on the future of the planet with a variety of presentations and contributions both on-line and face to face at the Edgar Stadium celebration day.
We are using an inquiry learning model to integrate our curriculum topics during the year, along with a focus on thinking skills and key competencies for life long learning. This year our big topic has been Change and we have studied The Circle of Life in term1 and Antarctica in term 2. Term 3 is titled Footprints on the Planet. Exciting projects have been evident in the classrooms and great displays are featured in the school. Motivating and engaging the learner is the result but what is the message for engaging learners in powerful learning at schools? I believe it is about expert teaching and positive experiences for students in their learning.'
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Trip 2: Pine Hill School - Date: 15th August, 1pm.
Meet at Wakari School.
Pine Hill School is now in the third year of the Tai o Rapuwai ICT Cluster. We are currently developing a school vision that encompasses our vision for ICT in our school. This year we are working hard to develop progression in the use of ICT tools and skills throughout our school . In our classrooms you will see examples of a wide range of thinking tools that are being used by teachers and children. Teachers and children are also using a wide range of technologies to enhance teaching and learning, such as podcasting, blogging and garageband. This year we are continuing to develop the way we teach inquiry using Kath Murdoch's Inquiry model and we are currently developing our own model of inquiry. We also have a strong focus on the Habits of the MInd, the 6 Thinking Hats and reflection.
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Trip 3: St Clair School - Date: 29 August, 9am. Meet at Wakari School.
St Clair School is widely recognised for its innovative use of information and communication technology (ICT). It has a fully integrated Apple Mac-based network providing quality computer access in all classes and work spaces. The school uses a computer lab for intensive teaching and project work while class based computers allow on-going timetabled access for all pupils.
The school makes use of airport technology to allow children to access the network via laptop iBooks. These iBooks are used as a pod to maximise their use in classes.
The school regularly hosts visits by visiting teachers eager to find out more about our use of ICT to support learning.
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Trip 4: Elmgrove School - Date: 29 August, 1pm. Meet at Wakari School.
Elmgrove School opened in February 2004 after the amalgamation of three schools as part of the Taieri network review. The board, principal and staff are enthusiastic and committed to a new school with a clear sense of vision and direction.
ICT and inquiry learning are a major focus for the school, developed during their journey with the Taieri Te Awa ICTPD Cluster in 2004-6. Student learning is being enhanced through the effective use of ICT. Teachers have included ICT into all planning through an integrated approach to curriculum delivery. The ICT contract has also promoted the use of inquiry learning approaches across the school. Teachers are working together to develop ways of improving learning and teaching strategies, developing students’ thinking skills and supporting them in becoming life-long learners. An information centre, combining book and ICT resources, is becoming a focal part of the school learning environment.
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