At Forrest Primary School we seek to deliver contemporary education in a traditional building. We see computer technology as an integral part of learning and teaching. We believe technology to be an exciting and essential tool with which to engage, motivate and support our students in their learning.
Technology changes rapidly and it is challenging to keep up with limited budgets. Directorate supports learning with technology by providing funds each year to upgrade technology and cull old computers that no longer meet the needs of students and teachers and no longer synch with improved infrastructure.
Over the past two years Directorate has also made progress in deciding upon platforms and programmes it will support as a system. Two of these are the Google platform which includes Google Classroom and Google Docs which work best with Chromebooks. Directorate also supports and encourages ‘Bring Your Own Device’ (BYOD). Ipads have been promoted to provide assistive technology to children with disabilities (including dyslexia). Ipads are also used widely by groups of children for programmes such as guided reading.
Current resources:
- Preschool to Year 2 are using i-pads for small group work. Currently, 18 i-pads are shared between two classes (with the housing set up in one of the classrooms.)
- Years 2 to 6 use Chromebooks (one between two students) and are being educated in using the Google Platform.
- Some Children with Special Needs have iPads or chromebooks for their dedicated use. These iPads and chromebooks have specialised applications which assist their learning.
Programmes:
Forrest Primary School is committed to providing a technology rich environment for our students. Our community recognises and believes the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is fundamental in assisting teaching and learning in all areas of the school curriculum.
To support this belief Forrest Primary School offers subscriptions to a variety of online educational programmes which offer our students support and enrichment in curriculum areas. These programmes are:
Google Apps for Education (GAFE) www.backpack.ed.act.edu.au GAFE is Google Apps for Education. Through the Chrome browser, Google is the host for a suite of applications available to educational institutions for use in school communities. The core applications are email, calendar, documents (docs), slides, spread sheets, and forms. A range of other applications (apps) are available to load onto the user’s account. It allows staff and students to create, share and collaborate in an online space where the school can monitor usage. To access the GAFE platform at school and at home students need their unique schoolsnet email and their computer login password.
Reading Eggs and Reading Eggspress www.readingeggs.com.au This powerful educational programme is based on the most up-to-date research on how children learn to read. The lessons use animation, tasks and reward games to keep children motivated. When children start the programme, they can complete a placement quiz to ensure they are starting at the correct reading level.
Math Seeds www.mathseeds.com.au ABC Mathseeds teaches children aged 3-8 the core Mathematics and problem solving skills needed to be successful at school with fun, highly interactive and rewarding lessons.
Mathletics www.mathletics.com.au Mathletics is a web-based Mathematical learning programme which integrates home and school learning via the internet. Mathletics is the next generation in learning, helping students enjoy Mathletics and improve their results. Mathletics covers Kindergarten to Year 12 curriculum.
Typing.com www.typing.com Typing web is a typing programme to assist students to learn to type and monitor their progress.
Code.Org www.code.org Code.org's online platform Code Studio enables students to learn the basic concepts of computer science as early as kindergarten. Play Lab is a tool developed for primary students to create games and stories and App Lab is a JavaScript programming environment for students to create apps.
Seesaw https://app.seesaw.me Seesaw is a school purchased programme used by staff and students as a communication tool between home and school. Seesaw gives your child creative tools to capture and reflect on their learning - in real time. Then this work is shared with you. Seesaw will give you a window into each of our classrooms and into your student’s learning process. We will use Seesaw to reflect and grow in areas of your child’s development.