Workshop Information

ICT
Overview
Since ICT was a new workshop and we had participants ranging from no experience to very knowledgeable and Pre-K to Secondary, we started with some of the basics and worked our way to creating integrated lessons to use in the classroom in September.

Note that the Convent School uses Linux OS and LibreOffice.  All computers had Internet access, but if everyone was on at the same time, the system slowed down.   As a result, we used LibreOffice instead of Google Docs.

Since none of the computers had USB or CD/DVD, everything we did was shared on Google Drive.

The agenda was as follows:

• Overview of computers - hardware and software
• Setting up a Gmail account
• Completing an online survey
• Introduction to Google Docs and Google Drive
• Internet - websites, web pages, searching, saving pages, etc.
• Introduction to word processing (LibreOffice Writer)
• Introduction to slide shows (LibreOffice Impress)
• Creating slide shows and multiple choice quizzes
• Introduction to spreadsheets (LibreOfficeCalc)
• Integration - sample lessons, creating lessons, sharing lessons (paired by division)

We covered a lot of material over the two weeks.  Some of the advanced teachers worked on integrated slide show lessons and a blog.
http://datsummer2015ict.blogspot.ca/


Reflections/Considerations for 2016

• We used Survey Monkey to check for computer knowledge and grade level of teaching.  I would recommend using a spreadsheet on Google Docs next time.
• Separate groups by ability on different sides of the class and run two lessons. (Take sticky notes with you to assign seating.  Otherwise, people will always sit in the same spot.) One half can be on the Internet working while the other side is doing work that requires no Internet.
• Consider having handouts with instructions to get one group moving while you are working with the other group.
• Make sure teachers that are new to ICT are sitting near the front to easily see and follow.
• For experienced teachers, look at social media, using online classrooms, etc.
• Have experienced teachers work in pairs, grouped by teaching division, to create integrated lessons.  Have them pair up and share their lesson with a teacher who is not very experienced with using ICT.
• By next summer all students and teachers should have tablets.  Find out what software they have on their tablets and plan for using the tablets and/or the lab.  
• If teachers do not yet have tablets, prepare to discuss ICT in the class with one computer, with one computer and one projector, with fewer than 6 computers, with no projector, with no Internet access, etc.