1. Introduction
This document records the outcomes of our current digital learning plan, including targets and the actions we will implement to meet the targets.
1.1 School Details:
St Patrick’s NS Clonbullogue currently has four multi-grade mainstream classrooms, supported by two Special Education Teachers.
1.2 School Vision:
See Vision Statement. We in St Patrick’s NS are committed to the academic, aesthetic, physical, cultural, moral, social, emotional, personal and spiritual development of each child. We appreciate that ICT can assist us in achieving this vision.
1.3 Brief account of the use of digital technologies in the school to date:
See E-learning plan for current location of school on e-learning roadmap.
2. The focus of this Digital Learning Plan
The existing Digital Learning Plan for 2019/20 was reviewed by the staff via email during May 2020, and our progress relevant to its targets, and in terms of the expectation of our e-learning plan, evaluated. The poor quality of the internet connection throughout 20129/20 means that our targets for 19/20 were not well achieved, although the shift to remote teaching in Term 3 of 19/20 resulted in other ICT goals being achieved. Consequently the targets for 19/20 will, in the main, be retained for 20/21.
2.1 The dimensions and domains from the Digital Learning Framework being selected
- Teaching and Learning Domain 1: Learner Outcomes
- Teaching and Learning Domain 2: Learner Experiences
- Teaching and Learning Domain 4: Teachers’ collective/collaborative practice
- Leadership and Management Domain 2: Managing the organisation
2.2 The standards and statements from the Digital Learning Framework being selected
Standard
Statement(s)
Pupils have the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes required to understand themselves and their relationships (TL Domain 1)
Pupils have a positive attitude towards the use of digital technologies and are aware of possible risks and limitations.
Pupils reflect on their progress as learners and develop a sense of ownership of and responsibility for their learning (TL Domain 2)
Pupils use digital technologies to collect evidence, record and reflect on their progress, and develop their competence as self-directed learners.
Teachers value and engage in professional development and professional collaboration (TL Domain 4)
Teachers engage in professional development and work with colleagues to help them select and align digital technologies with effective teaching strategies to expand learning opportunities for all pupils.
Manage the school’s human, physical and financial resources so as to create and maintain a learning organisation (LM Domain 2)
The principal and other leaders in the school ensure that processes are in place for the procurement, maintenance, interoperability and security of the digital infrastructure for effective learning, teaching and assessment.
The board of management ensures the provision and maintenance of digital teaching aids and equipment to a good standard.
2.3. These are a summary of our strengths with regards digital learning
- See E-learning Plan plus
- 15 android tablets available on rota basis for use in classrooms
- Interactive whiteboards available in each classroom, staff laptops, software licences for curricular products.
- Staff have accessed ICT related CPD since May 2017
- Engagement with VEX IQ robotics in conjunction with Offaly County Council.
- High levels of home-school communication via email.
- School on the scheduling list for installation of fibre broadband as of May 2020.
- Seesaw established as a means of home-school communication during Term 3 2020.
- Significant amounts of curricular delivery took place via ICT March – June 2020, improving staff, pupil and parent competency and familiarity.
2.4 This is what we are going to focus on to improve our digital learning practice further
- See E-Learning Plan
- ICT needs to be embedded more into everyday cross-curricular learning, for all children in every classroom.
- Improved access to and management of classroom devices to allow seamless integration of ICT into everyday practice.
Digital Learning Action Plan
TARGETS: (What do we want to achieve?)
- To use ICT in all classrooms to support the self-directed and independent learning of pupils
- To use ICT to aid the development of research skills, critical thinking, and media awareness particularly in the senior rooms
- To work to support particular curricular areas (link to SSE) through the focussed use of ICT.
- To develop senior pupils’ capacity to manage ICT effectively and independently
- To prepare staff to introduce coding and programming skills to pupils
ACTIONS
(What needs to be done?)
TIMEFRAME
(When is it to be done by?)
PERSONS / GROUPS RESPONSIBLE
(Who is to do it?)
CRITERIA FOR SUCCESS
(What are the desired outcomes?)
RESOURCES
(What resources are needed?)
1a) Embed the use of ICT to support teaching and learning across the curriculum, into weekly practice in classrooms.
1b)Compile a list of ICT activities that children actively experience on a regular basis at each class level.
2)&3) Set assignments that require children to do independent research, evaluate sources, and critique different perspectives.
3a)Plan and implement a whole school project relating to a particular subject area
3b)Use ICT to present and publicise work on the chosen curricular area/theme within the school and wider community
3c)Maintain an inventory of hardware, software, subscriptions etc., in use in the school, catalogued by subject area where appropriate.
4)Explicitly teach skills necessary for efficient ICT use to senior pupils e.g. how to save and file work, develop word processing skills, make presentations and use common software applications.
5)Access CPD with regard to coding and programming skills so all staff members have a basic proficiency in these areas. Consider additional CPD for staff member to lead work in this regard
Some development during 19/ 20
Ongoing for 2020/21
*Classroom teachers supported by SET
*Principal
*School secretary
*Pupils
*Whole school project based on a particular subject area/theme completed and on display
*All pupils actively involved in ICT activities on a regular basis in their classrooms
*Evidence of assignments being completed through use of ICT as well as traditional methods
*Senior pupils able to use common ICT applications confidently and successfully
*ICT work reflected in Cúntais Míosúil and in lists/inventories of ICT activities and resources
*Evidence of staff engaging with CPD in relation to more complex uses of ICT
*Adequate internet connection – scheduled as of May 2020
*Additional android tablets with cases and charging cabinet (to the maximum that ICT budget will allow, ideally a set per corridor)
*Selection of appropriate online games/ subscriptions/ software for use across the school
*CPD supports
EVALUATION PROCEDURES:
(How are we progressing? Do we need to make adjustments? Have we achieved our targets?)
Success criteria as assessed in May 2020:
*Whole school project – Church project started in Feb 2020 but postponed due to school closure.
*All pupils actively involved in classrooms – scope for further development, poor internet hindered regular whole class ICT work on individual devices.
*Evidence of assignments being completed via ICT - SEN assignments completed via ICT in-school, approx. 70% sign up to Seesaw during Term 3, but not all actively engaging with it. Major development in use of ICT for submission, assessment and feedback.
*Senior pupils – Further scope for improvement, especially regarding word processing skills, very varied proficiency.
*ICT work reflected in Cúntais Mísúil -some reflection of greater ICT evident in CM, much more so from March 20 onwards when teaching became ICT based.
*Significant (albeit informal) CPD regarding remote teaching and use of ICT from March 2020.