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__1. Changes:__ In 2007 our first goal was to up-skill staff and empower them to become confident users of ICT tools in their personal and professional lives. The ICT integration within the classroom programme would not happen otherwise. We initially surveyed staff and found that most staff had a basic level of skills, some needed support with basic skills training while others already possessed strong ICT skills in a variety of areas. The ICT plan focused heavily on the acquisition of basic skills as initially the class focus for ICT was predominantly decided by teachers individually and was generally considered a stand-alone activity. The acquisition of hardware and software was also a major focus.
 * Macleans Primary School Cluster Statement**

In 2009 ICT is fully integrated in many areas of the school curriculum both inside and outside the classroom. · Staff are predominantly skilled and confident users of ICT. · All staff have had training in school-wide software and hardware. Tiered training has been provided to individualise the support given. Staff have participated in ICT courses and are integrating relevant ICT solutions into their teaching. · A good learning community is developing with teachers supporting each other in the use of ICT in their practise. · A range of ICT use is commonplace (teacher preparation and classroom management, whole class teaching, group and individual work) · ICT has been used to strengthen home/school community links and the community is now being supported to increase their ICT skills. · More student learning is now happening through ICT. Students use ICT to collaborate on curriculum activities within the school. ICT use reinforces existing curriculum activities and problem solving/questioning learning approaches are supported by ICT. · There is a designated coordinating teacher and a management team to support the integration of ICT into effective teaching practise and professional development. · The school ethos encourages the exploration of new approaches to ICT integration. The school environment encourages independent ICT use by both teachers and students. · The Principal and management teams are proactive in integrating ICT throughout the school. · A range of school ICT policies have been developed e.g. Internet use, software use and an Acceptable Use Policy with the involvement of parents. · ICT use outside of normal teaching time is encouraged. · Computers are considered a school resource that students can use to support their work when applicable. A network of computers is distributed throughout the school. Wireless internet access is available throughout the school. Some software and internet resources are available for each class, multiple licences have been obtained for school-wide use. Desktop computers, printers, pod of laptops, digital cameras, interactive whiteboard and digital projectors are available for use school-wide. Provision is made for regular equipment renewal. · A technical support contract is in place. The school has an active and up-to-date website. A positive, supportive ICT culture exists throughout the school.

__2. Activity:__ During the duration of the contract there have been many opportunities for staff to observe and interact with other schools in the cluster and learn from each other. Each staff member has developed their ICT skills and confidence through cluster sharing, peer-to-peer support, school based PD and collaborative activities within planning and the curriculum.

__3. Staff Professional development:__ We work collaboratively within our school and complete P.D. together. Teachers are applying their skills to their teaching and syndicates plans reflect this. PD is targeted to achieve a consistent baseline of skills school-wide and to allow each staff member to achieve personal goals and develop strengths in appropriate areas. __4. Impact for students:__ Students are developing skills to which they can build throughout their learning. They are being exposed to a large variety of software, hardware and web 2.0 application opportunities. Students are being empowered to take personal managed ‘risks’ and extend their understanding of ICT and other learning through ICT. Students collaborate through online technologies to create new understandings. Effective ICT use is embraced and modeled by teachers and the students benefit from this. __5. Community Impact:__ A 2009 survey of computer use in the homes of school families was responded to by 68% of our families. The responses from this survey (68% of school families) revealed that the home environment gives access to a computer to 94% of our students and 68% of students have regular access to the Internet outside of the school environment. 92% of parents access the Internet daily with 94% being through broadband. 87% of our parents are comfortable communicating with their child’s teacher via the school email. Many parents support and/or contribute to their child’s ICT based learning at home. Many parents are interested in developing their own ICT based skills and approximately 40% of parents practise Internet safety procedures including positioning of computer and the use of online security software such as Watchdog or Netnanny.