Modeligo National School Digital Learning Framework
Introduction
The staff of Scoil Mhuire Má Dheilge formulated this Digital Learning Framework in consultation with our Board of Management. In this document, we record the outcomes of our current Digital Learning Plan, including targets and the actions we will implement to meet these targets.
Vision
Scoil Mhuire Má Dheilge endeavour, through the use of digital learning strategies, to open up new pathways of learning, communicating and assessment for the pupils in our school. We aim to provide opportunities for active learning, problem solving, creativity and innovation, which is inclusive of all children from junior infants to sixth class.
Digital Technologies Available (Physical)
- Smartboard — Interactive white board in each classroom, and in SET room from Sep 2021
- Laptop — per teacher
- Laptops — 4 in Junior room
- Chromebooks — Senior room (with keyboards)
- Tablets for use in the Junior room
- 2 IPADs — SET
- Digital Camera
- School Blog
- Wireless Printer
- Aladdin Software System
- Mobile Phone (new)
Focus of our Digital Learning Plan
We undertook a digital learning evaluation in our school. We identified the standards below as our areas of focus for our digital learning plan.
Teaching and Learning — Domain Two: Learner Experiences
| Standard | Effective Practice | Highly Effective Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Pupils engage purposefully in meaningful learning activities. | Pupils use digital technologies for sourcing and exchanging information to develop understanding and support basic knowledge creation. | Pupils use a variety of digital technologies for knowledge creation to source, critique and manage information and to reflect on their learning. |
Leadership and Management — Domain Three: Leading School Development
| Standard | Effective Practice | Highly Effective Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Build and maintain relationships with parents, with other schools and with the community. | The school has an explicit communication strategy in place, which identifies and uses an IT network to communicate effectively with the whole school community. | The school has a dynamic digital presence which is updated regularly and used by the school and school community to leverage online collaboration, sharing, communication and learning. |
Whole Staff Discussion
Class Teachers and SET discussed the various ways that:
- Children source and exchange information
- Teachers further develop understanding and support learning in the classroom
- Digital learning plays a role in the classroom (e.g. use/lack of use of white boards, laptops and iPads, camera etc.)
- Digital learning resources are available for use in the classroom
- The school communicates with parents and the school community
- The school blog and online text service are used and their effectiveness
Our Strengths
- Smartboard — Interactive white board in each classroom, and a SET room from September 2021
- Laptops — per teacher
- Laptops — 4 in Junior room (with keyboards)
- Tablets for use in Junior room
- 2 IPADs — SET
- Digital Camera
- School Blog
- Wireless Printer
- Aladdin Software System
Actions
| Action | Timeframe | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Purchasing more Chromebooks to include use in the senior room | Dec 2022 | ✓ |
| Re-purposing old laptops for use in the junior classroom | June 2023 | ✓ |
| Creating school email accounts for teachers | Jan 2020 | ✓ |
| Creation of school email account for use by pupils (Homework) | Dec 2020 | ✓ |
| Downloading core app for use in SET studies | — | ✓ |
| Explicitly teaching word processing skills (capital letters, full stops, space bar, going on to a new line), enabling children to type up one piece of their own writing, linked to our SSE — The Writing Process (3rd–6th) | June 2023 | ✓ |
| Using laptops/iPads/tablets to source information for research and projects (3rd–6th); First and Second class also engaging — using appropriate search engines and fact-checking through sites such as Wikipedia | June 2023 | ✓ |
| Update school blog during each term with photographs and text, including examples of children's learning using digital technology | Ongoing | ✓ |
| Add policies, school plans and other important documentation to the school blog as they are ratified | Ongoing | ✓ |
| Engage with Parents Association and support PA with communication | Ongoing | ✓ |
| Using Google Docs and Google Drive — all own Gmail account; Homework in 6th class; all teacher planning stored online and copied to principal | — | ✓ |
Evaluation Procedures
- Teacher Reflection / Discussion
- Staff Meeting
- Teacher Observation
- School Blog — to include samples of children's work
Success Criteria
Through reflection and discussion we will clearly decipher whether or not we as a whole school have achieved the targets outlined above.
Roles and Responsibilities
Scoil Mhuire Má Dheilge believes that the school community must be involved to successfully implement this Digital Learning Plan. Therefore, the teaching staff will implement this plan with the support of the Board of Management, Parents and the Local Community.
This plan was ratified by the Board of Management on 20 April 2023.
Chairperson, BoM: Sr. V. Casey