SHPSH Educational Technology Guidelines - Roundtable Discussion

SHPSH Educational Technology Guidelines - Community Round table Discussion

 

 

 

 

Last Friday SHPSH hosted a group of community members to take part in starting a conversation about the guidelines for the use of  Educational Technology at our school. It was important to include stakeholders from all parts of the school community. This included our Parish Priest, Principal, parents, teachers, students (at a separate forum) and the school social worker. The conversation was rich, enlightening and flavoured with a sense of excitement and momentum for the teaching and learning at Sacred Heart. The round table participants were given discussion questions in advance enabling the time to think and prepare their ideas ahead of the discussion.

Below is an inventory of the themes that came out of each discussion topic.



What are your beliefs and assumptions about Educational Technology?

What values do you think we as a community should ensure we maintain and/or develop as we take this journey in Educational technology and 21^st Century learning? How does this link with our Vision Statement?

 

• Our Catholic identity is a relevant part of Educational Technology.
• Teaching and learning is about building character.
• Technology use in the near future will be much more embedded in learning.
• We can be engaging our students more.
• Continual changes in technology is inevitable. Help students to understand this.
• We cannot replace social skills and human interaction.
• Adult role modelling is vital.
• Technology is a medium to compliment teaching and learning strategies.
• Parents need input and information.
• Teach skills that provide life-long learning.
• Assists in self-directed learning.
• With the change there is a sense of fear.
• A need for digital etiquette.
• Kids react to digital equipment.

 

What do you think is expected from Sacred Heart when providing Educational Technology in a way that encourages learning and digital responsibility?

• Provide parents with information for how to get help and understanding.
• Provide the best infrastructure.
• Vigilant supervision.
• Parent workshops.
• Accessibility to seeing the use of technology within the learning.
• Role modelling responsible usage.
• Professional development for staff.
• Uphold our Christian values.
• Expectations of use from the school.
• Innovative methods that engage and allow self directed learning.
• Teaching and learning strategies that encourage collaborative learning.
• Educational Technology goal setting by the school.
• SHPSH recruitment policy that encourages skilled teachers with progressive teaching and learning strategies.
• Constant monitoring of use and effectiveness.
• Provide a safe and respectful environment.
• Gain student feedback.
• Develop partnership with Cyber-Safe police unit.
• Development of student "digital license".
 

What do you think is expected of families and students in regarding the use of Educational Technology at home and at school?

 

• Challenge parents. "What are they modelling at home with their own computer and where is it placed in the home?"
• School structures to support home usage.
• Follow set expectations from the school.
• Accommodate different parenting styles.
• Role model responsible usage.
• Teach understanding about care for equipment.
• Parents seek opportunity to attend workshops at the school.
• Students encouraged to share their learning at home.

 

This discussion is the first step in creating guidelines for how we as a community will engage with and use Educational Technology at SHPSH.