FTP uses systems and frameworks to ensure teaching aligns with our ICT Plan as well as to protect our students as they learn how to use devices safely.
All state schools have an extensive filtering system that blocks websites and scans communication. Some websites are blocked across the state while others are blocked at the request of the school. Examples of blocked websites include YouTube, Facebook and gaming websites. All emails are scanned and inappropriate language triggers an alert to a staff member. Filtering systems however cannot block everything, meanings of words or medical websites and it is important that this is supported by active adult supervision.
- Apple Classroom for supervision
The classroom app allows a teacher, or a parent, to monitor students iPad use. They can view screens, lock screens, push open apps and websites and track a summary of app use. Teachers use it for both behaviour supervision but also to monitor student progress without standing over their shoulder. This allows teachers to support multiple groups at once.
Substitution, Augmentation Modification and Redefinition. This process is used to reflect upon lessons and activities. We seek to develop lessons, where appropriate, from Substitution where the technology directly replaces a non-digital method. Higher levels often allow the capture of knowledge or evidence that would have been impossible with previous methods.
This framework helps ensure that the Curriculum comes first, followed by the Pedagogy (how we teach) and then the technology is chosen to best support the pedagogy.
- iPads for teachers (i4T) mentoring and collaboration groups
Small groups of teachers meet regularly to discuss ICT usage in their classroom. They share ideas, resources and problem solve any issues that have arisen.