kathleen.johnston

A new term at Port Ellen and lots of ideas for teaching ICT, after meeting up with the other teachers this week. I met with Hazel first at P1/2 and we have decided to focus on searching and researching. The children are covering a topic called ‘Things We Eat’ and we have planned a series of activities for the children which will develop their research skills and this in turn will further enhance their understanding of different types of food.
Janice and P3/4 are still working on their Flat Stanley topic, which has really taken off! P3/4 now regularly video-conference with P4/5 in Bowmore Primary and they are even meeting up to have a flat party next week – talk about communicating and collaborating! Janice also intends to consolidate some of the other communication skills they covered last term within a variety of curricular areas this term. However, P3/4 are going to focus on their search and research skills, using them to support science and topic work . We aim to evaluate CD Roms and websites, with paired presentations at the end of the topic as summative assessment.
Maureen and P6/7 are creating a school calendar as their enterprise topic. We felt that creating and presenting skills would really contribute to this topic. The children will be designing and creating the layout for the calendar and using digital photos they have taken and edited to illustrate it. Fingers crossed the calendar will be on sale at the school Christmas sale in December.
I took the opportunity to ask my colleagues about their thoughts on the way ICT is being used this term. Each teacher was very positive and commented on how they feel their ICT skills are stronger and they also feel more confident about using ICT to support learning and teaching. Personally, I noticed that my colleagues were much more forth coming with suggestions during our planning sessions this week. Everyone is agreed that ICT is being used more effectively and it’s a lot more fun!
We also discussed the Kidspiration training session, led by Janice ( see above entry for more info). I asked my colleagues for their thoughts. Once again, they thought that this was a much more meaningful way of learning about an ICT resource – much better that a twilight session, or an after school slot. Teachers and pupils learned to use Kidspiration within the learning environment and within a relevant context. Janice commented on the fact that she enjoyed the experience of working with different stages and differentiating her approach. She also felt that the experience consolidated her Kidspiration skills. What sold it for me was that P2 used their new found Kidspiration skills to support a functional writing activity  – to write thank you letters. Great stuff!