South+Otago+High

South Otago High School L@S Conference has been a good start to the year. SOHS was lucky enough to send two (lead) teachers They will be feed back to the staff via a  presentation. First Professional reading group has been held. Staff are also linking their own PD goals to ICT There is a variety of teacher goals but the general focus has been on using interactive software such as My Classes. Other goals include Podcasting, Interactive Whiteboards and Video. For every facilitator visit the lead teacher emails a reading to staff and have a discussion after school. Usually have about 10-12 people out of 40 staff and afternoon tea is offered as an incentive The Community trust has approved supporting funding for data projector(s) purchase. Maybe up to 10 new projectors in the school.
 * M5**

SOHS -first on line staff PD meeting amongst rural teachers...Arts teachers
 * Milestone** 6

-Significant numbers of teachers using IT (predominantly data projectors) in classrooms – this follows the school decision to purchase a number for the classrooms

-an increasing culture of sharing IT expertise amongst staff...discussion, modelling, more discussion, a willingness or confidence to try, probably a feeling for some that if you don't get on the train it will have left without you!

South Otago High School
 * Milestone 7**

Noticeable increased IT literacy of staff, much of it due to staff members having sessions with the facilitator and passing on knowledge (especially with MyClasses)

Increased acceptance of IT use in the classroom, still a few hold-outs not interested. Seems to be due to a perceived effort of learning the technology and time spent implementing – still having to find a way to work around this.

Lower sign-ups for individual PD sessions, reasons seem to be setting of relief – the only way seems to be getting rid of the teacher’s class for that period altogether! Suggestion of having pre-prepared relief for all subjects available so that teachers can have a go without having the stress of having to plan.

Increased usage of IT is putting pressure on resources. Some staff going on their own ‘journeys’ due to increased confidence. The ICT focus has some teachers asking lead teacher’s about implementing new technologies that they have found themselves rather than being introduced to them by the facilitator or the lead teachers.

One consistent thread over all the three school is the lack of access to student computers for classes other than ICT. All schools are looking at strategies to try and bring flexibility into computer placement and use – especially try to make computers available to students outside their classroom times.

South Otago High School PLUS Increased confidence amongst staff using technology. Staff now asking lead teachers about specific applications for teaching in subject area (i.e. Kristal) Development of new teaching resources using ICT (PowerPoint’s, data shows and now moving into  webpages) Greater willingness for time with facilitator, usually to build on skills developed earlier in the contract. Greater acquisition of data projectors has meant teachers are willing to use them because they are easily available.
 * Milestone 8**

MINUS Increasing pressure on ICT resources as teachers really want to use them with their classes. Two days with facilitator is coming under pressure, hypothetically, it would be interesting to see if we could fill up three. Network is slowing up at time due to teachers using bandwidth-heavy sites and resources with large classes of kids. limitations of B6 computers causing consternation amongst the staff.

INTERESTING Staff have taken a lot longer to come around than first thought (probably due to relief issues). Teachers are now beginning to use more specialised software and applications as the confidence grows. A lot of the hold-outs are now seeing the value in ICT.

South Otago High •	awareness in the importance of using ICT in teaching has been raised •	ICT sessions better organised this year •	improved skills of more able teachers in area of ICT •	Teachers using blogs regularly •	Some teachers creating PB wikis, using THM website, •	using UTUBE as part of the moderating process •	good opportunities to attend courses and conferences •	hasn't captured group of 'anti-ICT' teachers - passed them by •	not enough in class time with facilitator •	lack of flexibility - maybe needed more focused sessions outside school •	ICT has become a part of the teacher tool set in the Technology department •	one teacher experimenting with Ed Ubuntu live disk in his maths programme •	increasing use of data projectors by teachers •	a few key ICT teachers have moved on to other schools •	teachers are exploring My Classes online environment
 * Milestone 10**

South Otago High
 * Milestone 11**

•	Increased positive attitudes towards computers and ICT in general •	Increased use and development of online resources for use in class •	more variety of software being used, e.g.: Inspiration and sound editing software •	staff sharing skills and ideas, e.g.: 5 minute slots in staff meetings, informal sharing • awareness in the importance of using ICT in teaching has been raised •	staff more confident in using ICT in the classroom •	training for using Smartboards •	staff member is developing open source digital resource for Science and Math’s – this has been shared cluster schools via the VC network •	staff member going to ULearn •	principal using ICT to set an example during staff and school meeting. •	staff using assessment tools more frequently •	facilitator being used more frequently with positive feedback •	some staff have been supported in the classroom by the facilitator and this has given them confidence to try new ways of working. •	high number of new staff this year which has had an impact on ICT development – along with the loss of some key staff members. Strategies for catering for this are being developed •	ICT readings are being included during staff meetings •	we now have teachers supporting each other in a ‘just in time’ way as needs arise