Teachers use ICT Effectively in the Classroom
30 March 2010
Teachers at Slemish College, Ballymena and Carrs Glen Primary School, North Belfast have been recognised for their innovative and forward-thinking approach to using ICT effectively in the classroom in a province-wide competition organised by Northgate Managed Services (Northgate).
Launched in autumn 2009, the competition was designed to harness the ideas generated by Northern Ireland’s teaching community by sharing how teachers have been integrating ICT in their lessons to enhance teaching and learning within their classrooms.
At geography specialist school Slemish College, teacher Tim Manson places a focus on ICT as not only a way of learning, but as a way of life. He has implemented several programmes to enhance students’ learning including development of the revision website, ‘Think Geography’; designed to be a point of reference for GCSE and A-level students. Podcasts and blogs feature prominently not only in teaching but in extra-curricular activities - during the latest A-level expedition to Iceland pupils were able to detail their experiences through video and blog entries, making sure the learning benefits of the trip continue long after the pupils have returned home.
Thanks to Tony Young at Carr’s Glen Primary School, missed/forgotten homework is now a thing of the past, as pupils are encouraged to type and email literacy homework ahead of the next day’s class. Over half of the pupils now regularly submit their homework in this way and for those pupils without access to a computer at home, arrangements are in place to complete work after school. Use of the internet is also encouraged through maths projects in which pupils are allocated a set time to visit all the sites and complete each task. According to Mr Young, this promotes self-management and prepares the P7 pupils for the transition to secondary school.
Commenting on the winning entries, Stuart Gunning, regional director, education, Northgate Managed Services said:
“Congratulations to both teachers from Slemish College and Carr’s Glen Primary. The measures put in place by both schools are shining examples of the educational benefits of ICT. We were extremely impressed with the quality of entries, highlighting the wealth of experience within our teaching community. Northern Ireland’s schools are at the forefront of innovative thinking and idea generation with teachers playing a huge role in how ICT is being integrated into the classroom. Through competitions such as this, Northgate aims to establish a ‘best practice’ platform – allowing teachers to share ideas and maximise the learning potential of all pupils.
“We are confident that we can continue to raise the bar for ICT development within schools; working closely with teachers to encourage further participation and commitment to ensure ICT can be used effectively in the classroom.”
Both winning teachers along with a colleague from their respective schools won all expenses paid trips to BETT 2010, the world’s largest education, information and ICT event. The event was recently held in London and showcases the best examples of international educational technology.
Pic 1: Pictured left to right is Stuart Gunning, Northgate Managed Services and Tim Manson from Slemish Integrated College
Pic 2: Pictured is Tony Young and Derek Harkness from Carrs Glen Primary School with Scott Hillen, Northgate Managed Services
