Introduction
Terrace has seen
gradual change in the provision of IT services since the introduction
of the first computer laboratory in 1988.
Our Gregory Terrace
Campus is fully networked, with both cable and radio network access
for our students and teachers in most areas of the school. We have a
mixture of conventional laboratories and more flexible learning centres,
and are currently exploring ways to maximise the potential of these
resources.
Staff have access
to administration and internet services in their staffroom, and are
beginning to take up the challenge of working with technology in their
subject areas - this integration of learning technlogies is an
important goal, embedding technology-rich experiences in everyday learning
is our aim.
People
Staff
Our staff are
a key ingredient to the successful integration of Learning Technologies
into day-to-day classroom experiences. In 2000, all staff rooms were
equipped with workstations with at worst 1 computer between 2 staff.
Access to the
Administration Network enables class lists, records and other applications,
as well as general productivity software and access to the Internet.
As specific support,
in 2000 we initiated the Mastering Learning Technology workshop series.
These sessions are run during normal school assembly, are hands-on
and relate directly to skills that can be applied to a class. Each
session leads to a competency certificate. In 2000 alone, more that
200 competency certificates were issued to staff in areas including
Web Publishing, Video Editing, Powerpoint, Web Searching and so on.
The 2001 season of MLT has already seen staff involved in Spreadsheeting,
Web Publishing, Publishing, Online Databases and Cooperative Planning.
We have added to the program initiatives from the Mathematics Faculty
with using graphics calculators and Dimensions of Learning.
We can not rest
on our laurels. Without teachers being comfortable and capable
using new technologies, our students will not be exposed to those
skills. No amount of money allocated to hardware can compensate for
a technologically illiterate teacher.
Help
Desk facilities are managed by Mr Martin Humphreys - contact him
should you require technical assistance
Students
Student expectations
include being able to access their work from all over the campus.
With the addition of library facilities into the Learning Network,
this is becoming a reality. Network facilities exist throughout the
Gregory Terrace Campus.
All students have
network logins, passwords, and secure storage (thier H: drive) on
the Learning Network. Primary Classrooms are also equipped with mini-laboratories
(clusters of 3 workstations networked back to the learning network)
that provide further access in class.
Student Facilities
There are a number
of learning centres that comprise the Learning Network (ie.
student-centred facilities). Our learning technology facilities
are designed to be as general purpose as possible and practical,
with similar facilities in all sites.
All of our laboratory
and technology enriched learning centres are networked, and have fast
access tot he Internet as well.
Our Library and
Information Centre
Our Library is
equipped with 2 Multi-media capable learning centres - the downstairs
Electronic Learning Centre has been recently re-fitted, and
the old AV room upstairs on the mezzanine level of the library now
has a fully fitted out multi-media laboratory with audiovisual equipment
including data projector, DVD and video player as well.
A central point
for student assessment is the online
Assignment register. This resource, maintained by Mrs Twomey is
a one-stop-shop for assignment work, criteria sheets and resources
in support of student assessment.
One of our regular
bookings in the upstairs Library multi-media room are the primary
students who are involved in technology enrichment activities including
multi-media authoring using hyperstudio. This is part of an integrated
information skills programme collaboratively taught with the primary
staff, and continued back in their classrooms.
The downstairs
learning centre is used by many classes and forms a vital part of
the research facilities available in the library.
The body of the
library also has a number of OPAC terminals that provide state-of-the-art
Library catalogue and Internet services.
Booking of Library
Facilities is managed through the Library Staff at the main circulation
desk, or via e-mail.
You can organise the loan of a Laptop, Data Projector, Digital Camera
and other Audio-visual equipment from here also.
The Big Lab
The home
of Year 5-8 Information Technology Education: a skills-based, self-paced
program designed to equip students with skills they can use in other
subject areas. 5-8 ITE concentrates on presentation and general productivity
software including Wordprocessing, Graphics, Powerpoint, programming
and Web-Publishing skills. We also deal with keyboard and general
system awareness.
An integrated
Mathematics programme is also being team tought with maths teachers
bring their classes to the big lab and using applications like
spreadsheets to model equations, perform what-if analysis, geometric
transformations and other hands-on activities.
Accounting, Geography,
Yr 10 Business Principles, Hospitality and Small Business studies
also have regular bookings in this lab.
Sometimes, teachers need their students to work on a computer by
themselves. As a whole class (one student per machine) facility, many
one-on one activities are persued in this and the CAD lab.
Booking for this facility is handled by Peter Whitehouse, and the
lab booking schedule can be viewed
online also.
The Multi-Media Lab
IPT,
Music, Biology and Art are specialist users of this Laboratory and,
as with all of our laboratories, it is used as a general learning
space as well.
This lab, and
Lab 4.6 are especially suited to group work investigation and project
lessons.
Booking for this facility is handled by Peter Whitehouse, and the
lab booking schedule can be viewed
online also.
The CAD lab
Computer Aided
Drafting programs like Autocad are industry standard applications
that are the tools of the trade for graphic designers.
Our CAD lab, recently
upgraded to a whole class set of workstations, allows students to
work in comfort.
This lab has also been used for day-time workshops with visiting
artist Di Ball, working with Art students in year 10-12.
Booking for this facility is handled by Peter Whitehouse, and the
lab booking schedule can be viewed
online also.
The Visual Arts Lab
One of the new additions to our laboratory space is Lab 4.6. These
multi-media computers are suited to visual arts/multi-media creation
software and are regularly used by Art and Music classes and with
Film and Television.
In addition to colour printing and scanning facilities, this lab
is equipped with video capture and editin facilities that compliment
the Casablanca digital video editing suites in the Film and Television
Centre.
Booking for this facility is handled by Peter Whitehouse, and the
lab booking schedule can be viewed
online also.
The Music Lab
The Music department has a set of 8 specialist networked workstations
equipped with MIDI keyboards and specialist composition and notation
software.
These computers are used by all levels of music students, are connected
to the Internet and are complemented by the computers in our visual
arts laboratory.
Booking for this facility is handled by the Music Staff - contact
Yvonne Carr in this
regard.
The Radio Network Mobile Lab
In 2000, we established a trial with a class set of 15 Radio linked
Laptops. We have radio coverage for large sections of our Gregory
Terrace campus, including most of the senior building (Rooms
4.4 - 4.7, 5.4 - 5.7, 6.4 - 6.7), College Hall and Founders Room.
One of the users of this set is the Year 8 Technology cluster which
this year featured collaborative
novel writing on the web. Junion school LOTE and class teachers
from year 5 also use this mobile lab.
Booking for this facility is handled by Peter Whitehouse, and the
lab booking schedule can be viewed
online also.
The GT125 Building Mobile Lab
The 125 Building is fully networked - every classroom has network
and power outlets in the floor to allow students to connect our second
set of notebook computers to the learning Network.
Currently, our LOTE department are regular users of these computers.
Take
a Virtual Trip to Paris to see what sorts of things they are doing
in class.
In-Floor Wiring in every classroom
We are still working through the logistics of mobile computer laboratories
- charging, storing and moving them around are all issues that we
are working out operational procedures for.
Booking for this facility is handled by Peter Whitehouse, and the
lab booking schedule can be viewed
online also.
Primary Classroom Mini-Labs
Each Primary classroom is now equipped with three networked workstations
This further enhances connectivity and continuity of work done in
either a Laboratory or in the Library. Having networked, Internet
connected computers in the classroom has been a boon for the primary
teachers and seems to suit their pattern of usage.
The Learning Support Lab
Our Learning Support centre in the Primary building is equipped with
some stand-alone and networked workstations. Network applications
and drill and practice software is used by students here.
When Learning support re-locates to level 4 of the main teaching
building, provision for another 20 workstations has been made to provide
valuable support resources and the ability to run technical workshops
for small groups.
Science Notebook Lab
In 2001, we purchased a set of 5 Acer notebook computers and associated
probes and sensors for use with the Science department. these notebook
computers eventually will be used as another piece of apparatus in
experiments with Physics and Chemistry students.
This initiative came about after Judy Dubleman visited us on exchange
from Chaminade College, St. Louis. Judy is an active advocator of
sensing equipment, and ran a number of inservice workshops for Science
staff on the application of such equipment.
Booking for this equipment is handled by Julie
Lisle (Science Lab Attendant).
Curriculum Initiatives
Many subjects now
routinely use Learning Technologies as part of the natural course of
events. As staff training and curriculm planning advances, this will
continue to increase. The middle-schooling initiatives also provide
many opportunities to embed technology into contextually relevant activities.
Many departments
also maintain their own sections of the college website, recognising
the importance of online curriculum delivery. Terrace teachers are at
the forefront on online delivery with specific online resources developed
for subjects as diverse as IPT,
Economics,
Chemistry,
Film and Television,
French,
Junior
Science, Geography,
Physics,
Legal
Studies, History
and English.
We are in the process
of reviewing what is covered in the 5-7 IT course, integrating that
tightly with Information skills taught in the Library and coursework
taken back to the classroom.
We are in the preliminary
stages of planning for a Year 9-10 Media-Technology elective subject
also, in collaboration with the Creative Arts Faculty.
Strategic Planning
Keeping up with
current technologies is a game that few schools can afford to ignore,
or be at the bleeding edge. It is inevitable that students will have
better gear at home than we can afford in any quantity. Any decision
made must be considered carefully within the context of a huge budget.
All decisions must lead to sustainable systems.
We have been fortunate
to be able to allocate relatively large amounts of our budget to Technological
resources. All of our IT equipment is leased (usually on a 3 year cycle)
with the imperative to replace it at the end of that time with up-to-date
hardware and software. This arrangement works in well with warrantys
and ensures our equipment continues to function well for the life of
the lease.
A dynamic bunch
of teachers form the core of the Technology Strategic Planning group.
This group has been responsible for scoping the last few rollouts of
equipment, master0minding the staff inservice modules and evaluating
services. This group plays an important part in the future planning,
directions and overall vision.
We are beginning
to invest in the people resources to get all this working well. In 2001
a new middle management position has been created: Network Systems Manager.
This person comes to us from an IT industry background and, whilst providing
much needed technical support, will also be key to the planning that
must take place to stage any change. A whole-campus approach will benefit
us in the long term ensuring stable and flexible networked facilities.
Where to from here?
P&F involvement
over the last few years in IT at terrace has been threefold. Terrace
P&F contribute significant amounts of money to help us meet our
lease commitments for IT and Audio-Visual equipment provision. This
level of support represents a significant contribution to the education
of their sons.
The P&F Education
sub-committee also supported 2000's Consultant In Residence programme,
which resulted in the production of a celebratory CDROM for Terrace's
125th year. This programme also imparted valuable skills to students
and teachers which we continue to utilise and build upon.
Last year, a group
of the P&F Education Sub-Committee formed to look at Technology.
This group, led by Peter Whitehouse, the Head of Faculty Information
Services, was largely an information presenting session. For this group
to become effective, we need a parent to take on the leader of this
group, and it's focus needs to change so it becomes more pro-active
at examining what is doen, how it compares with others and how we can
enhance what is done at terrace in the IT field. We need your help and
value your input.
Mr Peter Whitehouse
Head of Faculty - ICTs
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