Hardware and Infrastructure

Our school has eighty computers, all of which are connected to the school network. This benefits students and staff alike, by using internal and external email, file sharing, easy software access and internet access provided through ‘The Schools Broadband Network’. The computer room has a stationary data projector to assist with teacher demonstrations of computing activities. Our computer room is timetabled to allow all pupils the opportunity to use our computing facilities on a weekly basis. With our current pupils numbers of 500 children, our computer:pupil ratio is 1:6.25 which is in line with the national average. Our school has a state of the art, purpose built computer room, containing thirty two flat screen computers. All mainstream teachers have a computer in their classroom for student activities, teacher email and teacher administration. Pupils are enabled to use class computers for a variety of teaching and learning opportunities including content-free and content-rich software. Our school has two centralised scanners in the computer room as well as a school digital camera which is used on a daily basis by staff and students. We have a school laptop and a data projector available for classroom use. These resources are used constantly.

Kidsmart Computers

The infant classes and teachers in St. Senan’s are very appreciative of the donation of KidSmart computers to our classrooms. We make regular use of these computers and they have fostered a great interest in ICT within the infant classrooms. All children are eager to use the KidSmart units as they are brightly coloured and contain suitable software and hardware. The computers are also positioned at the child’s level. The internet is often used in the classroom to show children images or to research information with the help of the teacher. The children are aware that they can have fun and play games on the computer but also that they can learn from and find information on the internet.

Interactive Whiteboard

I.C.T. is a very important part of life in St. Senan’s school therefore we are always trying to keep up to date with what’s new. This year we have been fortunate enough to be able to invest in an interactive whiteboard for the school. In school training was provided for our teachers over four sessions which has allowed us to explore and become confident in the use of the new technology. At the moment we have one interactive board in the school, a rota was devised around times of use for all classes. It is a very visual and interactive method of teaching and therefore can hold the interest of the children as they become physically involved in the lesson. The children can remain in their seats while the keyboard is passed around the class. The interactive board allows us to access information directly from the internet while teaching which is a great time saver and can be shared with the whole class instantly rather than sending children off independently which allows for careful monitoring. Lessons can also be saved from day to day and the children can create their own work using the board and save it. In the future we would aim for one of these boards to be in every classroom.

Software

All staff are involved in the selection of software and are given the opportunity to select additional software regularly. Each teacher is given the opportunity to explore software suitable to their class level and recommend which ones they felt would be most useful. The school has built up an extensive software library over recent years as a result of yearly student contributions. The software in the school facilitates learning in all curricular areas and at all learning levels. All software in the school is used in accordance with license agreements. The school benefits from an agreement with Microsoft which allows for the installation of Microsoft Office on all school computers for a nominal fee. This agreement is extended to staff, who can use the package on their home computers.