Students have improved their word processing skills with story writing and publishing, internet use has increased due to inquiry being more stable in class and researched deeper than in the past. ICT has been a major part of planning, teaching and learning this term especially. During numeracy and literacy students are on computers and using ICT equipment daily as part of the reading and maths rotations in class.
Computers are also used as a reward in class but I have found that the students would rather be using the equipment to complete work that have free time. This has been a huge plus!
Benefits:
Student confidence has increased - some students have come up from the junior classes not knowing a lot about computers or interactive and as they have been immersed in more and more ICT (compared to previous years) they have become both learners and teachers in the classroom.
Inquiry has been more focused for the students this term as brainstorming, mind mapping, researching and setting intentions has been increased - some students have been able to go off and research their own topics with limited teacher assistance.
Throughout the school I can see there have been a huge jump in levels of confidence to use ICT for admin, planning and assessment - on reflections it feels as if we are much more uniform now and all on the same waka.
I have to agree with you that there seems to be an increase in the skill level and confidence of the students in ICT, i like what you said about students becoming more like the teacher as well, that is so true observing them help each other. And yes we seem to be rowing the same way in our waka of learning - well said!
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