St. Francis National School Digital Learning Plan 2018 2019 - St Francis NS
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St. Francis National School
Digital Learning Plan
2018 – 2019
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 Francis National School is a vertical, co-educational national school. There is currently a pupil enrolment of 259. There are 9 mainstream class
teachers, 3 special education teachers and 4 special needs assistants. The school is based in Blackrock village on the suburbs of the large town of
Dundalk and much of the school population is derived from the village, with some pupils traveling from Dundalk to the school each day. The school
has a very active Parents Association who regularly fundraise for school resources. The school was established in September 2007 to serve the
developing end of Blackrock. Until June 2013 it occupied five prefabs – four classrooms and a
● An office/staffroom on the site of the Community Centre. Work commenced in February 2013 on our permanent building on the Rock Road and we
moved in at the end of August 2013. In December 2018 we were advised by the Department of Education and Skills that we have been earmarked
for an extension. A second stream of pupils has been sanctioned, along with the building of a further 8 classrooms and a Special Educational unit.
● We have a dedicated school communications room with a server, portioned to staff and pupil storage of data. In the administration office we have
two PC’s and a strong ICT culture in or school, using the following programmes for school administration:
1. Databiz Administration System
2. Databiz Online Payments Systems for parents
3. Komeer Messaging for parents4. Dedicated Parents Facebook Page (closed group)
5. Parent Whats App class groups
6. Google Suite for Education
7. Dedicated and effective school website
8. Databiz School Library System (not fully functional due to library space currently being used as a classroom)
1.2 School Vision:
In line with guidance provided by the Nation Council of technology (NCTE), the approach in St. Francis National School is to emphasise the integration of ICT
across the curriculum, in order to improve the quality of teaching and learning. Therefore, ICT is not a subject or a curriculum in its own right. It is a tool that
can add value to the teaching and learning process when it used appropriately. The purpose of computer literacy is the same as all teaching and learning, to
awaken and to support the development of intellectual curiosity.
● In our school we believe that digital technologies should be used for teaching, learning and assessment across the curriculum. Digital technology
needs to be an integral part of the teaching and learning in schools today. The management will promote a culture of collective, collaborative and
reflective practice among staff (teachers and SNA’s) when using digital technologies. It is also aim that pupils will have access to current digital
technologies and we will match future investment to the learning needs of the pupils.
● We want to use Digital Learning as an exciting, engaging and creative medium for expression whereby the pupils in our school can create
meaningful digital content as opposed to passively engaging with digital technology. We also recognise the positive impact that digital technologies
can have in the learning of the pupils with special and additional needs and aim to harness this potential in our school moving forward.
1.3 Brief account of the use of digital technologies in the school to date:
● In our school to date technology is used in line with the available infrastructure. We aim to focus more on student engagement with digital
technology for learning.
● Pupils currently use technology to source information, but not to create their own digital content.
● Pupil engage in Scratch Coding Programme for a six week block of lessons. This year 9 of the pupils will enter projects into the National Scratch
Competition in groups of 3.
● All classrooms have an interactive projector and a teachers desktop computer with internet access and a ladybug visualizer..
● The two senior classrooms have recently replaced their interactive projector with flat screen panels (and we ultimately aim to replace every
projector with new panels)
● Each classroom has a bank of 6 computers for pupil use, connected to our school server.● Our school library is equipped with 10 further pupil computers connected to the school server.
● We have a bank of 19 chromebooks ( 4 in use for Assistive Technology), 2 ipads, 1 pupil laptops (Assistive Technology) and 18 Bee-Bots
● The principal and special education team have their own laptops.
● Our current SSE focus is the development of Written Literacy skills.
● Digital cameras /12 Go Pros.
● The school broadband is comprised of a combination of wired and wireless service. The school is receiving 100Mb broadband but this
speed is not being received in all parts of the school, especially during morning activities when pupils are using flash based programmes. The
infrastructure needs to be updated and expanded to have the potential of 100Mb broadband in all parts of the school.
● We have a dedicated school website which won a Scoilnet Star website award in 2018.
● We have a dedicated Facebook page which is updated several times a day to share information between parents.
● We use the Komeer parents messaging service to contact parents.
● Payments from parents can be received electronically via Stripe and payments are made electronically via Databiz online payment system.
● School administration using online banking.
2. The focus of this Digital Learning Plan
We undertook a digital learning evaluation in our school during the period (September / 2018) to date. We evaluated our progress using the following
sources of evidence:
● Feedback at Staff Meetings
● Teacher Digital Learning Survey
Online digital survey was carried out among staff. The main areas of focus were:
★ Reflection on learning, teaching and assessment practices.
★ The use of digital technologies in the classroom.
★ Professional collaborative review.
● Pupil Digital Learning Survey
Attitudinal survey was carried out to elicit the views of pupils from 2nd to 6th on their use of digital technologies in the classroom, their access to
internet at home and to reflect on their digital learning experiences.
● Digital Learning Cluster Group to be formedFocus group of school staff and pupils from 4th to 6th classes established to work on developing our digital plan. The group includes Ciara Whately
(ICT Co-ordinator), Brigitte Nelson (School Secretary), Helen Clinton (SET teacher), Helena Reynolds (Class teacher), Conor Brady, Ryan McCutcheon,
Charlotte Agnew, Conor McCann, Catherine Power, Ronan Duggan and Conor Carroll. Meetings were scheduled to evaluate our current digital
practices and gather information from staff and pupils to help develop our Digital Learning Action Plan.
2.1 The dimensions and domains from the Digital Learning Framework being selected
Dimension Teaching and Learning Dimension Leadership and Management
Domain 1: Learner Outcomes Domain 1: Leading Learning and Teaching
Domain 2: Learner Experience Domain 2: Managing the Organisation
Domain 3: Teachers’ Individual Practice Domain 3: Leading School Development
Domain 4: Teachers’ Collective/ Collaborative Practice Domain 4: Developing Leadership Capacity
2.2 The standards and statements from the Digital Learning Framework being selected
Standard (Teaching & Learning) Statement(s)
Domain 1: Learner Outcomes
Standard 1: Pupils enjoy their learning are motivated to learn and Pupils use appropriate digital technologies to foster active engagement in
achieve as learners attaining appropriate learning outcomes.
Domain 1: Learner Outcomes
Standard 2: Pupils have the necessary knowledge, skills and Pupils have a positive attitudes the use of digital technologies and are aware of
attitudes required to understand themselves and their relationship possible risks and limitations.
Pupils understand the potential risks and threats in digital environments.
Domain 2: Learner ExperienceStandard 1: Pupils engage purposefully in meaningful learning Pupils use digital technologies for sourcing, exchanging of information to develop
activities understanding and support basic knowledge creation.
Domain 3: Teachers’ Individual Practice
Standard 1: The teacher has the requisite subject knowledge and Teachers use a range of digital technologies to design learning and assessment
classroom management skills activities for their pupils.
Domain 3: Teachers’ Individual Practice
Standard 2: The teacher selects and uses planning, preparation and Teachers use appropriate digital technologies to design learning activities that
assessment practices that progress pupil learning facilitate personalised and differentiated learning.
Domain 4: Teachers’ Collective/ Collaborative Practice
Standard 1: Teachers value and engage in professional development
and professional collaboration 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 students.
Standard (Leadership & Management) Statement(s)
Domain 1: Leading Learning and Teaching
Standard 1: Promote a culture of improvement, collaboration, The princial and other leaders in the school encourage teachers to use digital
innovation and creativity in learning, teaching & assessment technologies to enhance their learning, teaching and assessment practices, and to
share their practice.
Domain 1: Leading Learning and Teaching
Standard 2: Foster a commitment to inclusion, equality of The school understands how access to digital technologies can create divides and
opportunity and the holistic development of each pupil how students’ social and economic conditions can impact the way technology is
used.
Domain 2: Managing the OrganisationStandard 1: Establish an orderly, secure and healthy learning The principal and other leaders in the school ensure appropriate policies,
environment, and maintain it through effective communication procedures and safeguards are in place to ensure the protection of individual
privacy, confidentiality and the safe use of digital technologies and data for all
members of the school community.
Domain 2: Managing the Organisation
Standard 2: Manage the school’s human, physical and financial The principal and other leaders in the school ensure that processes are in place for
resources so as to create and maintain a learning organisation the procurement, maintenance, interoperability and security of the digital
infrastructure for effective learning, teaching and assessment.
Domain 3: Leading School Development
Standard 4: Manage, lead and mediate change to respond to the The principal and other leaders in the school are informed by national policy,and
evolving needs of the school and ro changes in education technological developments and see their relevance to the school.
Domain 4:
Standard 2: Empower staff to take on and carry out leadership roles The principal and other leaders in the school encourage teachers to take on
leadership roles and to lead the use of digital technologies for learning, teaching
and assessment and is willing to distribute significant leadership responsibilities.
They develop organisational structures to facilitate and encourage the sharing of
practice and peer mentoring in the use of digital technologies for learning,
teaching and assessment.
2.3. These are a summary of our strengths with regards digital learning
● Pupils in the school are quite proficient in using digital technology
● Some staff members are engaged in a number of digital technology projects
● Staff members are motivated to gain CPD relating to embedding digital technologies across the curriculum, with some already having done so.
● The individual needs of our SEN pupils are being met in terms of the assistive technology required.2.4 This is what we are going to focus on to improve our digital learning practice further
● Staff will engage in CPD in order to facilitate a greater use of digital technologies by pupils.
● We will set up peer support for staff members to increase competence and confidence in embedding digital technologies in teaching, learning and
assessment.
● Design activities where pupils use digital technologies to support and enhance learning in different curricular areas.
● We will focus on getting additional funding for infrastructure through the Digital Learning Framework.
● We aim to integrate ICT into every curricular area in the coming years and allow time in subject planning for digital learning.
● We aim to provide more access to ICT for pupils use across all curricular areas.
● To maintain existing digital learning infrastructure we will outsource a service contract for on-going maintenance.
3. Our Digital Learning plan
On the next page we have recorded:
● The targets for improvement we have set
● The actions we will implement to achieve these
● Who is responsible for implementing, monitoring and reviewing our improvement plan
● How we will measure progress and check outcomes (criteria for success)
As we implement our improvement plan we will record:
● The progress made, and adjustments made, and when
● Achievement of targets (original and modified), and when
Digital Learning Action Plan ( Teaching and Learning)
DOMAIN 1 & 2: Learner Outcomes & Learner Experience
STANDARD(S): Pupils enjoy their learning, are motivated to learn and achieve as learners.Pupils have the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes required to understand themselves and their relationships.
Pupils engage purposefully in meaningful learning activities.
STATEMENT(S): Pupils use appropriate digital technologies to foster active engagement in attaining appropriate learning outcomes.
Pupils have a positive attitude towards the use of digital technologies and are aware of the possible risks and limitations.
Pupils understand the potential risks and threats in digital environments.
Pupils use digital technologies for sourcing, exchanging of information to develop understanding and support basic knowledge creation.
TARGETS: Pupils will be given specific tasks that require the use of digital technologies for their completion.
Digital Safety Workshop to be completed with 1st - 6th class during the school year.
ACTIONS TIMEFRAME PERSONS / GROUPS CRITERIA FOR SUCCESS RESOURCES
(What needs to be done?) (When is it to be done by?) RESPONSIBLE (What are the desired outcomes?) (What resources are needed?)
(Who is to do it?)
● Teachers will engage in ● September 2018 ● CW to arrange support – By April 2019 each teacher will ● Chromebooks
CPD on using digital ● December 2018 All Staff - Google G Suite have used two digital tools to ● Laptops
technologies to create for Education training support the teaching, learning and ● Class computers
content with a CPD assessment process in their class. ● Visualisers
● Bee – bots
provider
● Online tools
● IZAK9
● Pupils will create digital
content at least once a ● February – June 2019 ● All staff & pupils Each pupil will create Literacy
month: based digital content at least once
o Infant Level: per term, and share their work
o 1st / 2nd Class: with an audience of their peers.o 3rd / 4th Class:
o 5th / 6th Class: Senior classes to undertake a
o SET: Powerpoint project or other Digital
Learning activity that engages the
children in the use of ICT.
● Pupils will regularly
share the digital
content with their
peers and will gain
feedback on it
● Staff will share their ● February – June 2019 ● All staff & pupils Share good practice at whole staff
experiences using meetings in April 2019.
Digital Technologies in ● October 2018 – June 2020 ● All staff
their classrooms with Construct a framework
documenting the tools used in
each other and engage
each class.
in peer support where
appropriate
● Internet Safety
Workshops
● Google Cloud On-Board ● February/ March 2019 ● CW to set a date, James Neary from Children of a
Training preferably around All pupils from 1st - 6th class to Digital Age
● March 2019 Internet Safety Day on taught on internet safety and risks. Internet Safety class resources
February 4th
EVALUATION PROCEDURES: Feedback at Staff Meetings, Cuntais Míosula, Evidence of pupil work completed using Digital Technology.
(How are we progressing? Do we need to make adjustments? Have we achieved our targets?)
Digital Learning survey will be carried out among staff and pupils from 2nd - 6th class and results analysed. An increase in staff and pupil use of ICT within the
school will indicate an achievement of targets.Digital Learning Action Plan ( Teaching and Learning) DOMAIN 3 & 4: Teachers’ Individual Practice & Teachers’ Collaborative Practice STANDARD(S): The teacher has the requisite subject knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and classroom management skills. The teacher selects and uses planning, preparation and assessment practices that progress student learning. Teachers value and engage in professional development and professional collaboration. STATEMENT(S): Teachers use a range of digital technologies to design learning and assessment activities for their students. Teachers use appropriate digital technologies to design learning activities that facilitate personalised and differentiated learning. 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 students. TARGETS: To ensure all staff are both competent and confident to use new digital technologies in the classroom as part of their teaching.
ACTIONS TIMEFRAME PERSONS / GROUPS CRITERIA FOR SUCCESS RESOURCES
(What needs to be done?) (When is it to be done by?) RESPONSIBLE (What are the desired outcomes?) (What resources are needed?)
(Who is to do it?)
● Teachers will engage in Ongoing All Staff An increase in the number of ● Chromebooks
CPD on using digital teachers who are confident to use ● Laptops
technologies to create ICT in their everyday teaching by ● Class computers
content with a CPD 5%. ● Projectors
● Visualisers
provider.
● Bee – bots
● Online tools
● Teachers to get Ongoing Volunteer staff who are willing to Teachers will increase the use of ● WIFI
involved in peer share expertise ICT in the classroom and will ● IZAK9
training to increase the identify class appropriate activities ● Go Pro
IT proficiency and and integrate them into their ● Digital Cameras
confidence among their teaching.
staff.
● Regular digital learning
Ongoing ICT Co-ordinator and external Teachers share information on
updates for teachers,
instructors. new websites they find to be of
new websites, All Staff particular use in delivering the
hardware and new curriculum.
resources.
● Staff input into school’s
Digital Learning Plan Ongoing All Staff Teachers give feedback at staff
meetings on the incorporation of
digital learning into curriculum
areas.EVALUATION PROCEDURES: Feedback at Staff Meetings, Cuntais Míosula, Evidence of pupil work completed using Digital Technology. (How are we progressing? Do we need to make adjustments? Have we achieved our targets?) The Digital Learning Plan will be implemented on an on-going basis. Progress will be reviewed every year and this document will be updated to reflect progress made. Digital Learning Action Plan ( Teaching and Learning) DOMAIN 3 & 4: Teachers’ Individual Practice & Teachers’ Collaborative Practice STANDARD(S): The teacher has the requisite subject knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and classroom management skills. The teacher selects and uses planning, preparation and assessment practices that progress student learning. Teachers value and engage in professional development and professional collaboration. STATEMENT(S): Teachers use a range of digital technologies to design learning and assessment activities for their students. Teachers use appropriate digital technologies to design learning activities that facilitate personalised and differentiated learning. 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 students. TARGETS: To ensure all staff are both competent and confident to use new digital technologies in the classroom as part of their teaching.
ACTIONS TIMEFRAME PERSONS / GROUPS CRITERIA FOR SUCCESS RESOURCES
(What needs to be done?) (When is it to be done by?) RESPONSIBLE (What are the desired outcomes?) (What resources are needed?)
(Who is to do it?)
● Teachers will engage in Ongoing All Staff An increase in the number of ● Chromebooks
CPD on using digital teachers who are confident to use ● Laptops
technologies to create ICT in their everyday teaching by ● Class computers
content with a CPD 5%. ● Projectors
● Visualisers
provider.
● Bee – bots
● Online tools
● Teachers to get Ongoing Volunteer staff who are willing to Teachers will increase the use of ● WIFI
involved in peer share expertise ICT in the classroom and will ● IZAK9
training to increase the identify class appropriate activities ● Go Pros
IT proficiency and and integrate them into their ● Digital Cameras
confidence among their teaching.
staff.
● Regular digital learning
Ongoing ICT Co-ordinator and external Teachers share information on
updates for teachers,
instructors. new websites they find to be of
new websites, All Staff particular use in delivering the
hardware and new curriculum.
resources.
● Staff input into school’s
Digital Learning Plan Ongoing All Staff Teachers give feedback at staff
meetings on the incorporation of
digital learning into curriculum
areas.EVALUATION PROCEDURES: Feedback at Staff Meetings, Cuntais Míosula, Evidence of pupil work completed using Digital Technology. (How are we progressing? Do we need to make adjustments? Have we achieved our targets?) The Digital Learning Plan will be implemented on an on-going basis. Progress will be reviewed every year and this document will be updated to reflect progress made. Digital Learning Action Plan (Leadership and Management) DOMAIN 1 & 4: Leading Learning & Teaching and Developing Leadership Capacity STANDARD(S): Promote a culture of improvement, collaboration, innovation and creativity in learning, teaching and assessment. Foster a commitment to inclusion, equality of opportunity and the holistic development of each student. Empower staff to take on and carry out leadership roles. STATEMENT(S): The principal and other leaders in the school encourage teachers to use digital technologies to enhance their learning, teaching and assessment practices, and to share their practice. The school understands how access to digital technologies can create divides and how students’ social and economic conditions can impact the way technology is used. The principal and other leaders in the school encourage teachers to take on leadership roles and to lead the use of digital technologies for learning, teaching and assessment, and is willing to distribute significant leadership responsibilities. They develop organisational structures to facilitate and encourage the sharing of practice and peer mentoring in the use of digital technologies for learning, teaching and assessment.
TARGETS: To encourage use of ICT planning for classes, notify all staff of courses that are available and provide access to IT for pupils within the school. To
develop a practice of sharing expertise and experience of use of IT for teaching and learning amongst colleagues.
ACTIONS TIMEFRAME PERSONS / GROUPS CRITERIA FOR SUCCESS RESOURCES
(What needs to be done?) (When is it to be done by?) RESPONSIBLE (What are the desired outcomes?) (What resources are needed?)
(Who is to do it?)
Professional Development: Ongoing ICT Co-ordinator and external All teachers capable of using ICT ● Chromebooks
All staff competent in the use instructors. for teaching and assessment. ● Laptops
of classroom computers & ● Class computers
projectors. ● Projectors
● Visualisers
● Bee – bots
Regular digital learning updates Ongoing ICT Co-ordinator and external All teachers made aware of new ● Online tools
for teachers, new hardware instructors. resources and hardware in the ● WIFI
procured, new website and school and that teachers share
new resources. information on new websites they
find to be of particular use in
delivering the curriculum.
EVALUATION PROCEDURES: Feedback at Staff Meetings, Cuntais Míosula, Evidence of pupil work completed using Digital Technology.
(How are we progressing? Do we need to make adjustments? Have we achieved our targets?)
Digital Learning survey will be carried out among staff and students and results compared with baseline data from surveys carried in March 2019. An increase in
staff and student use of ICT within school will indicate an achievement of targets.Digital Learning Action Plan (Leadership and Management) DOMAIN 2 & 3: Managing the Organisation & Leading School Development STANDARD(S): Establish an orderly, secure and healthy learning environment and maintain it through effective communication. Manage the school’s human, physical and financial resources so as to create and maintain a learning organisation. Manage, lead and mediate change to respond to the evolving needs of the school and to changes in education. STATEMENT(S): The principal and other leaders in the school ensure appropriate policies, procedures and safeguards are in place to ensure the protection of individual privacy, confidentiality and the safe use of digital technologies and data for all members of the school community. 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. The principal and other leaders in the school are informed by national policy and technological developments and see their relevance to the school. TARGETS: To ensure all ICT facilities are maintained to a high standard and are fit for purpose and updated within resources. To comply with policy and developments as set by the department.
ACTIONS TIMEFRAME PERSONS / GROUPS CRITERIA FOR SUCCESS RESOURCES
(What needs to be done?) (When is it to be done by?) RESPONSIBLE (What are the desired outcomes?) (What resources are needed?)
(Who is to do it?)
Upgrade existing Broadband Ongoing ICT Co-ordinator and computer Improve Broadband network ● Chromebooks
and ICT equipment. technicians throughout the school and update ● Laptops
computer hardware. ● Class computers
Develop a digital learning ● Projectors
Ongoing All staff Maintain a vibrant up to date ● Visualisers
culture within the school.
website, Active involvement of ● Bee – bots
teachers and pupils updating the ● Online tools
website. ● WIFI
Develop a digital learning plan Ongoing All Staff Creation and implementation of a
and develop a culture of digital learning plan.
moving focus on ICT from Updated acceptable usage policy
equipment and basic skills to a for internet access and computer
culture of digital learning use after survey of staff and
integration. students.
Digital learning update on the
agenda at each staff meeting.
Staff input into digital learning Ongoing All Staff Teachers give feedback at staff
plan meetings on the incorporation of
digital learning on the curriculum
delivery.
EVALUATION PROCEDURES: Feedback at Staff Meetings, Cuntais Míosula, Evidence of pupil work completed using Digital Technology.
(How are we progressing? Do we need to make adjustments? Have we achieved our targets?)
The Digital Learning Plan will be implemented on an on going basis. Progress will be reviewed every year and this document will be updated to reflect progress
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