INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
Use of Technology by our students
14/2/13
Information Technology (IT) Subject Meeting
Subject teachers for Information Technology met on 12th February 2013 at the Curriculum Development Conference Room to mainly discuss the progress of this year’s School Based Assessment (SBA's), examine the general online feedback from Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) on the 2012 IT results, and feedback on the effectiveness of the pairing/grouping of schools for content
support.
The pairing of schools for content support worked well for some teachers while others were encouraged to utilize this option in order to build on their IT professionalism such as lesson planning and delivery, SBA construction and assessment and classroom management skills. Teachers were reminded to use the marking scheme template for Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) as closely as possible as a guide when constructing and grading the IT SBA's.
Teachers worked in groups to examine and discuss the general feedback provided online by Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) 2012 IT exam. This was very fruitful as teachers were able to high light and share their best practice strategies to address some of the weaknesses from students’ work mentioned in the report.
Some aspects of teaching IT in the lower school (Forms 1-3) were also addressed. Teachers were encouraged to work collaboratively with the Electronic Document Preparation and Management (EDPM) teachers as some of the skills and content knowledge will overlap to the EDPM content material and practical skills.
Teachers indicated that there are some “late bloomers”, especially among the male students and these students may need additional support to bring them to the desired level for the 2013 CXC exam. Teachers pledged their continued commitment to work with students and continue to engage them in various strategies such as using free online interactive software, youtube, class discussion, projects, practical sessions, group work, blogging and ongoing assessment and feedback with a focus on individual feedback. Some teachers also expressed the use of an organised “after-school” working sessions with students and those who may not have access to a computer at home.
IT teachers in discussion and sharing of skills and content material of handling specific weaknesses highlighted in the general CXC 2012 online 2012 IT report
13/2/13
Electronic Document Preparation and Management (EDPM) Meeting
Electronic Document Preparation and Management (EDPM) Subject teachers met on 12th February at the Curriculum Development Unit Conference room to discuss the progress of this year’s School Based Assessments (SBA’s) , presentation of these SBAs, sharing of good practices , classroom management skills and updates on the preparation of SBAs for 2014 CSEC sitting.
A folder with a copy of the Electronic Document Preparation and Management for CSEC Examinations Interactive CD-ROM (SAMPLE) along with a poster on “Know your manuscript signs!” provided by Macmillan Publisher (through Mr. Howard Campbell and Mr. Ezekial Richards) were distributed to teachers. This poster will be used for assisting students to complete Assignment One of the SBA which focuses on Manuscript Signs.
The ICT Education Officer, Mrs. C Ramsamooj facilitated the workshop and expressed satisfaction with the progress of the work in EDPM. She will continue the school visits to give support to these teachers in lesson planning, delivery strategies and classroom management skills.
A folder with a copy of the Electronic Document Preparation and Management for CSEC Examinations Interactive CD-ROM (SAMPLE) along with a poster on “Know your manuscript signs!” provided by Macmillan Publisher (through Mr. Howard Campbell and Mr. Ezekial Richards) were distributed to teachers. This poster will be used for assisting students to complete Assignment One of the SBA which focuses on Manuscript Signs.
The ICT Education Officer, Mrs. C Ramsamooj facilitated the workshop and expressed satisfaction with the progress of the work in EDPM. She will continue the school visits to give support to these teachers in lesson planning, delivery strategies and classroom management skills.
EDPM Teachers displaying their manuscript posters
Teacher from the Dr. JP Eustace Memorial Secondary School sharing her views on how to deal with students with negative attitudes towards doing EDPM, especially working with their SBA's
National Bullying Prevention Month
National Bullying Prevention Month is October.
There are different forms of bullying such as: verbal, physical, social and cyber.
Since the use of technology is rapidly increasing, it is expected that cyber bullying is on the increase. Parents and teachers need to monitor children to spot any of abnormal behavior.
Normally, children can be exposed to cyber bullying at an early age. Children will begin to act differently. Conversation with children can help discover if they are experiencing bullying.
This month we will focus on cyber bullying.
This type of bullying can be done via chat rooms, online, instant messaging, on a mobile phone or even e-mails
Watch this You Tube and you will learn eleven (11) facts of cyber bullying. Then help spread them around to help reduce cyber bullying.
National Bullying Prevention Month is October.
There are different forms of bullying such as: verbal, physical, social and cyber.
Since the use of technology is rapidly increasing, it is expected that cyber bullying is on the increase. Parents and teachers need to monitor children to spot any of abnormal behavior.
Normally, children can be exposed to cyber bullying at an early age. Children will begin to act differently. Conversation with children can help discover if they are experiencing bullying.
This month we will focus on cyber bullying.
This type of bullying can be done via chat rooms, online, instant messaging, on a mobile phone or even e-mails
Watch this You Tube and you will learn eleven (11) facts of cyber bullying. Then help spread them around to help reduce cyber bullying.
26/10/12
Safe Internet Usage
In an effort to continue educating our parents and students on the “Safe Internet Usage, a flyer was created for parents’ with guidelines which their children can follow to practice safer internet usage with emphasis on “Preventing Cyber bullying”
One thousand (1000) of these flyers were printed and disseminated to the public via the public transport system reaching thirty five (35) different locations across the country including the Grenadines. The flyers were distributed to commuters in these public transports in addition to on the street distribution. Most people found the exercise to be timely and asked questions that they were not sure about. Some parents expressed thanks to the Ministry of Education for taking this initiative to educate the public through this medium.
One thousand (1000) of these flyers were printed and disseminated to the public via the public transport system reaching thirty five (35) different locations across the country including the Grenadines. The flyers were distributed to commuters in these public transports in addition to on the street distribution. Most people found the exercise to be timely and asked questions that they were not sure about. Some parents expressed thanks to the Ministry of Education for taking this initiative to educate the public through this medium.
ICT Officer, discussed the safety of students from the flyer to this curious parent who wanted to learn more on the topic
Two ladies reading the flyer
1/11/12
Cyberbullying Flyer
12/10/12
Workshops
From the ICT Desk
A series of workshops on “ICT Integration, ICT enabled Lesson Planning and Presentation of Lessons” were conducted over a three (3) day period from 8th-10th October 2012 at the South Rivers Methodist School, Park Hill Government School, and Dickson Primary School respectively. Sessions were held from 9:00 am- 12:00 and 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm.
Concepts covered included:
Roles of Technology in Education
Technological Tools
Basic Computer Skills/Literary
Technology Literacy
Information Literacy
Learning using Computer Based Technology
A good ICT Enabled Lesson
ICT Enabled Lesson Planning
Presentation of ICT Enabled Lessons
Evaluation of lessons and recommendations
Teachers were able to work in small groups to plan lessons. These lessons were presented and evaluated by other group members. Teachers are expected to use these lessons as model lessons.
Teachers gave positive feedback and expressed readiness to implement the knowledge they have gained in the workshops.
Dickson Primary School (Planning of ICT enabled lesson)
Staff member at the Dickson Primary school presenting ICT Science enabled lesson
South Rivers Methodist Presenting ICT Health and Family Life enabled Lesson
South Rivers Methodist School – Planning and Presentation of ICT enabled Social Studies lesson
South Rivers Methodist School – Planning and Presentation of ICT enabled Social Studies lesson
Staff member of South Rivers Methodist School – Presentation of ICT enabled Language Arts Lesson
Park Hill Government school staff members working in small groups to plan ICT enabled lesson
Staff members of the Park Hill Government worked together to plan ICT Mathematics enabled lesson
16/10/12
Engineering Computer Laboratory for the Division of Technical and Vocational Education, Arnos Vale St Vincent and the Grenadines
The St Vincent Community College Division of Technical and Vocational Education, Arnos Vale, St Vincent and the Grenadines on Thursday 11th October, 2012 had another wing of its facility officially opened. The Mustique Charitable Trust Organisation in partnership with the Technical College funded and equipped the Engineering Computer Laboratory. Mr. Basil Charles (Trustee), representative from the Mustique Charitable Trust Organization outlined a brief report on the project while Mrs. Lavinia Gunn (Administrator) took the honor to officially open the laboratory by cutting the ribbon to the entrance of the lab room.
The Dean of the Technical and Vocation Education, Mr. Osborne Bowens along with Deputy Director of the SVG Community College expressed thanks and appreciation for such gift. Students were encouraged to maximize full use of the facility.
Engineering is an important and practical profession devoted to stimulate and modify three (3) fundamental resources: energy, materials and information. The uses of this engineering lab will assist to prepare our students using the resources in order to help them gain a meaningful foundation as engineers.
The Ministry of Education was represented by Mr. Dwight Lewis, Director of National Training Agency (NTA) and the ICT Education Officer of the Curriculum Development Unit, Ministry of Education.
Cutting of the ribbon to officially open the Engineering Computer lab by representatives of the Mustique Charitable Trust Organisation: Mrs. Lavinia Gunn
Deputy Dean of the SVGCC: Mr. Nigel Scott
Dean of the Technical and Vocation Education Mr. Osborne Bowens
Students using the Engineering Computer Lab in a demonstration activity using the AutoCAD 2013 software
24th October, 2012
Diamond Government School ICT Training Session
From the ICT Desk
More ICT training sessions across the Primary Schools in St.Vincent and the Grenadines.
The training sessions on “ICT Integration, ICT enabled Lesson Planning and Presentation of Lessons continued on Tuesday 23rd October, 2012 with staff members at the Diamond Government School, St Vincent and the Grenadines.
At this session emphasis was placed on: (a) Qualities of a good ICT enabled lesson, (b) Planning of two (2) ICT enabled lessons, and the (c) Presentation of these two (2) ICT enabled for evaluation.
More ICT training sessions across the Primary Schools in St.Vincent and the Grenadines.
The training sessions on “ICT Integration, ICT enabled Lesson Planning and Presentation of Lessons continued on Tuesday 23rd October, 2012 with staff members at the Diamond Government School, St Vincent and the Grenadines.
At this session emphasis was placed on: (a) Qualities of a good ICT enabled lesson, (b) Planning of two (2) ICT enabled lessons, and the (c) Presentation of these two (2) ICT enabled for evaluation.
Planning of ICT enabled lessons at Diamond Government School, St.Vincent and the Grenadines
Presentation of the planned enabled ICT lessons at the Diamond Government School, St.Vincent and the Grenadines
26/10/12
"Safe Usage of the internet" with emphasis on "Preventing Cyber bullying"
As the effort continues to educate our young children on the “Safe Usage of the Internet”, with emphasis on preventing “Cyber bullying” five short video clips were shown to the Grade 6 students of the Diamond Government School, St. Vincent and the Grenadines on 22nd October 2012. The objective of the presentation was to teach students to be SMART when using the internet. The students were thankful for such presentation and asked a variety of questions on their safety using the internet.