TechnologyThe school has a purpose-built computer suite of 30 PC's connected to a file-server together with 5 printers, 2 scanners and a plotter. Many of the programs that are in commercial use are available for pupils to use. (Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher and PowerPoint being some examples). In addition computers in other parts of the school are being added to the network and it is planned to have another room available in the future.
Use of the I T room
The
computer room is available during school hours at any time. Some classes
are scheduled but the room is available for use by any classes at other
times. There are two sessions available at lunchtime for pupils to complete
work or to learn how to use the programs. These are supervised by members
of staff and other pupils who are acting as computer prefects.There are
evening classes available from time to time and a 'twilight' class for
Year 11 ensures that those who want to study for the GCSE in Information
Technology have the opportunity. Many children are able to use the facility
during their normal lesson time to do individual work where this is appropriate
and when there is space available if another class is already using the
room.
Much of the IT is taught within subject areas, for instance, spreadsheets are taught within Mathematics. In this way the National Curriculum demands are met in a way that is meaningful to the pupils. Most departments contribute to the delivery of ICT, particularly in Key Stage 4. There is also a group following an RSA Keyboarding class after school.
For the last four years or so the school has encouraged all members
of the teaching staff to become proficient in their use of IT within their
subject so that they are confident of bringing a class into the IT room
to use subject related software.
History
The first computer that was purchased by the school was an Apple II in 1979. This was followed by a ZX80 and some ZX81s as the Computer Studies course became more popular. Acorn BBCs quickly became the Educational standard and we gradually developed to a network of these. As the IT demands of the curriculum grew the BBCs were relaced with an RM Nimbus 186 network and then onto the present system three years ago.
Notes for Techies!
The present system consists of 30 PC's linked
by Ethernet via hubs to a fileserver with a backup. All childrens'
work is stored on the servers whilst the software is loaded onto individual
machines. The system is growing as other departments link into the file
server and the system is capable of expansion in its present form to cope
with at least another 30 work-stations.
We are in the process of upgrading the HP
Deskjet 500 series printers to colour printers and have added an A3 printer and a laser printer
to allow display material to be reproduced. Children can now
watch demonstrations on a large TV screen connected to
one of the workstations and a second scanner has been installed.
An Internet link is used for class research and an email server allows local mail on the Intranet. A token-ring network also exists within the school site for administration purposes, and the Technology department have a small Acorn network. A link now exists between the administration and curriculum networks.
Email : J Wishlade |
Last revised:September 19th 1999 |