ICT
Websites done the
SIMPLE WAY
Obviously, being able to access instant information has made the internet a bit of a hit. But with continually evolving software and higher spec hardware to run it, keeping up with the pace of change can seem a little daunting. But it doesn’t need to be if you get the right people to advise and help. Let’s say it’s been a few years since your website was given a facelift, then SchoolWeb may be the answer you’ve been looking for. The SchoolWeb Website Content Management System (CMS) is an easy and cost effective way for schools of all sizes to implement a website. The system allows schools to log in to a password protected system and maintain their website. Unlike other competing systems, SchoolWeb allows full control over creating and amending webpages, and it’s almost as straightforward as using Microsoft Word! You do not need any knowledge of HTML, web programming, or how to upload your site using complicated FTP software. You can update the site from wherever you have a web-browser and an Internet connection.
To begin with, your website is designed by a professional graphic designer, who goes to great lengths to ensure that the graphical design reflects the unique culture of the school. Then free training is provided to get you started and there are no expensive yearly licensing fees. Now of course you’ll want to update, improve and adapt your site as time goes on, so all the editing is done through the CMS system that’s easy enough for even the most technophobic classroom teachers and admin staff to use. As well as a general website media, SchoolWeb features ways for staff to collaborate, parents to participate, children to communicate and the whole community to share in the activities of schools in a safe way moderated by the schools. Newsletters, calendars, homework downloads, classroom projects with visitor and parent comments, forums, rosters, resource bookings, calendars, blogs and surveys are among the many abilities of the SchoolWeb system. The schools are in control and anything is possible. Another focus is the growing trend towards integrating content from external websites. Schoolweb allows content from Youtube, Teachertube, Slideshare, Twitter, Blogger, Google Apps and numerous other style sites to be easily embedded into the system. Schools can obtain more information from either www.schoolweb.co.nz or by calling 0800 48 48 43 — Advertising Feature
digital devices for students
...it’s time! By Graham Prentice
As part of the professional leadership in your school, many of you are just not sure how to treat this student tablet/ BYOD movement… so here is yet more advice to add to your “resources”. The fact is that kids in front of our teachers have changed. Their learning needs, what they learn and how they learn are all different from years past, but many of our teachers and professional leaders have not acknowledged that in either our current pedagogy or current practise. Learning with digital devices is happening every day, often at home… just not often enough in all of our classrooms. Effective teaching with digital devices is harder to find, but there are some exemplary teachers at all levels. It is time that every student in New Zealand is enabled with a digital device – to access the rich digital information available beyond every classroom and every home. The NZ Education and Science Select Committee report ‘Inquiry into 21st century learning environments and digital literacy: December 2012’ cites access to such devices as a baseline recommendation. Also recommended was consideration around bulk supply/purchasing of such devices for schools and families. Continual access to such devices is critical for digital learning/ teaching to be most effective. But this seems to create a brick wall for school communities. Orewa College took the state school lead a couple of years ago. Tired of its
BYOD model going nowhere beyond frustration for teachers, the school required its students to bring a device and nominated the item that their staff would be using. In Orewa College’s case the responsibility of supply was/is with the parents. In the case of a number of decile one schools, the schools have taken a “position” with respect to the purchase of the devices and made the kit available to their parents at less than $4 per week. If there is a genuine desire to address access issues, the cost can be worked out. The good news is that there has been significant progress made with the centralised bulk purchase negotiation of tablets (Apple iPads, Samsung tabs etc) via the All of Government (AoG) programme. Very recently, such tablets and pricing has been made available to those schools that have joined AoG, as well as the real after sales support, not seen with other arrangements - see www.business.govt.nz/procurement/ nzschools Beyond the price barrier, there are other factors that need addressing including bandwidth, network, wireless capability, content, data storage, volume apps licensing, security (data and physical) and professional development – without all bases covered, frustration and ineffective implementations will come. Thankfully, national professional consultancy in all this stuff is available – you do not need to reinvent the wheel, you may get a millstone… just ask. Graham Prentice MA(Hons) Dip Ed DipTchg Cyclone Computers AoG ICT Panel Member M 021 160 6570 E grahamp@cyclone.co.nz www.cyclone.co.nz — Advertising Feature
28 | Term 2, 2013 www.principalstoday.co.nz