Overview of Project Our project is centred around the implementation of IBM kidsmart units in Ballarat schools. IBM operates the kidsmart program which provides schools with computer like units which are loaded with programs to compliment classroom teaching and improve students ICT skills. Our project is operating in conjunction with the Delacombe Neighbourhood Renewal Project to implement the IBM KidSmart Program within Eight local schools and kindergartens. The Delacombe Neighbourhood Renewal has been working with a number of local schools and kindergartens that service communities and families experiencing socio-economic disadvantage. Many of the families in the Delacombe neighbourhood do not have access to ICT learning opportunities, and as such many children from this community enter schooling with little or no prior ICT knowledge. This puts them at a greater disadvantage as computer skills are an increasingly important life skill in today’s society. This project has the capacity to broaden young students learning experiences through the use of such technology. We want to provide the schools and consequently students with new exciting and interactive experiences of technology, which will reduce the inequalities they are facing. and give them a strong early start to education increasing their ability to succeed in primary school. IBM has provided eight Kidsmart units to be distributed around the kindergartens and primary schools of the Delacombe area. Schools who will be receiving the units will be Delacombe P.S., Lumen Christi P.S., Redan P.S., Sebastopol P.S. and the Delacombe community kindergarten. These units are due to arrive to the schools in term three. As the units come fully functional, with little setting up required, our team decided to focus on providing the teachers with training. Schools who will be receiving the units require teachers to be trained in the operation of the units so the decision was made that we would facilitate this training to maximise the success of the kidsmart program. Through completing the training teachers will learn how to operate the units and be provided with suggestions of how the program can be successfully integrated into existing classroom lessons. Furthermore, as the units are to be distributed across Ballarat our team thought it would be worthwhile to conduct the training day locally, in which teachers could all attend at once. This would allow opportunity for teachers from neighbouring schools to interact and learn about the units in a cluster environment. It came to our attention, that after the units have arrived and the staff involved has fulfilled training requirements there would be little ongoing support available. We realised ongoing support would be of great benefit for the teachers and consequently the students using the units. As a result of this we decided to create a support network in which teachers could share information and ask questions. With the assistance of Leanne Compton it was decided an online WIKI would created for this purpose. As PST’s gaining the opportunity to have a worthwhile and lasting impact on a schooling community is something in which each of our team members values as a chance to expand our own experiences and develop our understanding of the teaching profession. Not only do we take this project as an opening for personal development but also for the chance to interact with schools to create for meaningful learning experiences.Below our objectives and desired outcomes are listed: Objectives The main project objective is to implement a sustainable program which enhance and develop the ICT skills of early year students.
Implement means of reducing educational inequalities between economically diverse communities.
Create an opportunity for the professional development of teachers.
Develop a project which fits within the VELS framework.
Provide ongoing support for staff involved in the program.
Desired Outcomes Our main aim is to organise and provide professional development for teachers receiving IBM Kidsmart units to be held in Ballarat that IBM will implement.We hope to educate teachers on the IBM Kidsmart program so once they receive the units they have the knowledge to educate students with them and integrate them effectively into their curriculum.Our prime objective is to turn both the teachers and the students into confident technology users. We also plan to implement an online network which participating teachers can use as a communication and support tool after the Kidsmart units are delivered. Our team values the education of students and is committed to this project which will provide a vast range of benefits for the schooling community. We are eager to see the project reach its full potential and be something that will have a long future of success with the schools. Wiki As part of our project we decided that it was important to provide teachers with a form of ongoing support. It was evident that the support provided needed to be time convenient for teachers and available for access at their own convenience. Initially a number of ideas were discussed and with the assistance of Leanne Compton it was decided an online Wikis would be an appropriate tool for teachers to gain and share information whilst been kept updated on recent information regarding the kidsmart project. A wiki is an online space created for the purpose of sharing information. Wikis will usually be centred around a theme or topic in which its members all have a shared interest.Ie. Kidsmart project. Wikis cater for groups large and small with a range of functions allowing members to add posts, links, pictures, videos or any information relevant to their topic. By creating an online network teachers are able to communicate and be kept regularly updated without the need to meet face to face or have the hassle of organising times which suit all participants to meet.We feel the wikis will allow our project to have continual success and as a result more practical use within the classroom.
Our project is centred around the implementation of IBM kidsmart units in Ballarat schools. IBM operates the kidsmart program which provides schools with computer like units which are loaded with programs to compliment classroom teaching and improve students ICT skills.
Our project is operating in conjunction with the Delacombe Neighbourhood Renewal Project to implement the IBM KidSmart Program within Eight local schools and kindergartens. The Delacombe Neighbourhood Renewal has been working with a number of local schools and kindergartens that service communities and families experiencing socio-economic disadvantage. Many of the families in the Delacombe neighbourhood do not have access to ICT learning opportunities, and as such many children from this community enter schooling with little or no prior ICT knowledge. This puts them at a greater disadvantage as computer skills are an increasingly important life skill in today’s society.
This project has the capacity to broaden young students learning experiences through the use of such technology. We want to provide the schools and consequently students with new exciting and interactive experiences of technology, which will reduce the inequalities they are facing. and give them a strong early start to education increasing their ability to succeed in primary school.
IBM has provided eight Kidsmart units to be distributed around the kindergartens and primary schools of the Delacombe area. Schools who will be receiving the units will be Delacombe P.S., Lumen Christi P.S., Redan P.S., Sebastopol P.S. and the Delacombe community kindergarten. These units are due to arrive to the schools in term three.
As the units come fully functional, with little setting up required, our team decided to focus on providing the teachers with training. Schools who will be receiving the units require teachers to be trained in the operation of the units so the decision was made that we would facilitate this training to maximise the success of the kidsmart program. Through completing the training teachers will learn how to operate the units and be provided with suggestions of how the program can be successfully integrated into existing classroom lessons.
Furthermore, as the units are to be distributed across Ballarat our team thought it would be worthwhile to conduct the training day locally, in which teachers could all attend at once. This would allow opportunity for teachers from neighbouring schools to interact and learn about the units in a cluster environment. It came to our attention, that after the units have arrived and the staff involved has fulfilled training requirements there would be little ongoing support available. We realised ongoing support would be of great benefit for the teachers and consequently the students using the units. As a result of this we decided to create a support network in which teachers could share information and ask questions. With the assistance of Leanne Compton it was decided an online WIKI would created for this purpose.
As PST’s gaining the opportunity to have a worthwhile and lasting impact on a schooling community is something in which each of our team members values as a chance to expand our own experiences and develop our understanding of the teaching profession. Not only do we take this project as an opening for personal development but also for the chance to interact with schools to create for meaningful learning experiences. Below our objectives and desired outcomes are listed:
Objectives
The main project objective is to implement a sustainable program which enhance and develop the ICT skills of early year students.
Desired Outcomes
Our main aim is to organise and provide professional development for teachers receiving IBM Kidsmart units to be held in Ballarat that IBM will implement. We hope to educate teachers on the IBM Kidsmart program so once they receive the units they have the knowledge to educate students with them and integrate them effectively into their curriculum. Our prime objective is to turn both the teachers and the students into confident technology users. We also plan to implement an online network which participating teachers can use as a communication and support tool after the Kidsmart units are delivered.
Our team values the education of students and is committed to this project which will provide a vast range of benefits for the schooling community. We are eager to see the project reach its full potential and be something that will have a long future of success with the schools.
Wiki
As part of our project we decided that it was important to provide teachers with a form of ongoing support. It was evident that the support provided needed to be time convenient for teachers and available for access at their own convenience.
Initially a number of ideas were discussed and with the assistance of Leanne Compton it was decided an online Wikis would be an appropriate tool for teachers to gain and share information whilst been kept updated on recent information regarding the kidsmart project. A wiki is an online space created for the purpose of sharing information. Wikis will usually be centred around a theme or topic in which its members all have a shared interest. Ie. Kidsmart project. Wikis cater for groups large and small with a range of functions allowing members to add posts, links, pictures, videos or any information relevant to their topic.
By creating an online network teachers are able to communicate and be kept regularly updated without the need to meet face to face or have the hassle of organising times which suit all participants to meet. We feel the wikis will allow our project to have continual success and as a result more practical use within the classroom.