What we have!

In order to determine whether the technology plan or the digital strategy will be more useful at this time, a thorough

examination and evaluation of the school will be conducted. The areas that will be focused on are digital leadership,

digital procurement and infrastructure and the digital literacy and capacity at the school. 

Digital Procurement and Infrastructure

The Infrastructure at Grantley Prescod Memorial Prescod Memorial Primary

Presently, at the Grantley Prescod Memorial Primary School there is an equipped, functioning computer lab and a Management Information Systems (MIS) room. The electricity supply at the school can be stated as being adequate while the internet access is limited. Wi-Fi connection is used, which does not always work effectively.

There is a mesh network in place.  Repeaters are placed at strategic points in several classrooms around the school plant. These repeaters pick up the signal that is sent from the modem which can be found in the MIS room. It sends this signal to the other classrooms that do not have repeaters. This is how the staff gains access to the Wi-Fi. Some of the classrooms that are too far from the rooms with the repeater do not always receive the signal.

The internet’s bandwidth is determined by the service provider. The service provider for the school is Digicel Barbados.

Hardware

In the computer lab several digital tools can be found. There is a Panaboard, several laptops, tablets, a multimedia projector, printers, copiers, scanners and a television set. There is also a television set in each classroom. However, some of them are no longer functioning.

As time progressed, some of the hardware has become obsolete, others no longer function. As a result, there is the need for additional laptops, more projectors and new television sets in order to support the full integration of technology at the school.

Software

At the school, all of the software that is found on the devices was uploaded by the ITC. On all of these devices you can find the Google Workspace, formerly called G Suite. This plan provides a custom email, Calendar, Gmail, Meet, Chat Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, Sites and many more. These applications are used when teaching and learning online.  

Policy and Approach

A contract which was formulated by UNICEF contains clear the rules and guidelines that govern the use of the devices by the teachers and students.

Security Measures 

On all of the devices there is a three layer of protection called Fortinet. It is the highest level of protection that blocks attackers. Malware and other antivirus software can be found on all of the devices. Additionally, there is a firewall that is built into windows. In terms of storing data, approved ministry storage is used. These are Google Drive and OneDrive. These security measures are adequate.

Maintenance

The digital devices and other technology resources are maintained by the ITC at the school. Occasionally, technicians from the Ministry of Education, Technological & Vocational Training will visit to help with the maintenance.

Technical Issuesmi

Internet Access

In order to access the internet on devices at the school a password is needed. This password is given by the ITC. All staff members are privy to this password.

When using the devices, a password is also needed to gain access. Having such a feature in place on the systems helps with data privacy. Unauthorized individuals cannot or should not be able to gain access to privileged information. 

The internet access is provided by Digicel Barbados at no cost. The bandwidth is 20 megabytes down and 10 megabytes up. This bandwidth, though adequate, is somewhat small in relation to the amount of users at the school. Therefore, internet access is usually slow.

Digital Literacy and Capacity

All educators should be continuous learners. They should see it fit to always update their knowledge and skills on digital and emerging technologies. Such actions lead to efficiency and effectiveness when teaching and assessing students in this 21st century teaching and learning era. As stated in the International Society for Technology for Education (ISTE) Standards, principals and teachers should be connected learners. The principal should be the role model and promoter of continuous professional learning.

At the Grantley Prescod Memorial Primary School questionnaires will be distributed to the teaching staff for completion. The information gathered from these questionnaires will inform the leader of what digital skills and competencies the teachers already have.

When such information is gleaned, relevant plans will be put in place to continually update the teachers’ knowledge and skills on emerging technologies. Reachable, timely goals will be set to ensure that the teachers continue to be connected learners. Appropriate training will be provided and relevant digital tools will be made accessible.

The ITC will provide technical support in addition to conducting workshops. These workshops will be conducted frequently in areas such as: the correct use of the digital tools, how to use the updated software, how to avoid plagiarism, how to use the different data protection measures, teaching and  assessment via technology, and how to implement technology in the school’s curriculum. Other knowledgeable teachers will also provide assistance.

Professional Development Measures

Professional Learning Communities for Teaching Staff

 In PLCs, communication and collaboration take place. It is in these communities where knowledge is shared amongst the teaching staff in a somewhat informal manner. At the Grantley Prescod Memorial Primary School, a number of PLCs will be formed. According to Provini (2012) institution members form groups called Professional Learning Communities where they meet, plan and share ideas relating to the best teaching methods and students' benchmark. 

Such communities are necessary if the integration of technology in education is to be successful at the school.

Digital Skills and Competencies of Students

In order for a digital strategy  to be accomplished successfully, the students should also be taken into consideration.  It is pertinent to know their entry level knowledge and skills in relation to the use of technology. A short face-to-face interview will be conducted to find out what they know about technology and what devices they can use.  This exercise will be done to determine what entry level the students are at and to plan accordingly. Based on the results relevant teaching sessions will be conducted for them by the ITC as well as the teachers using the devices that are at the school, these being laptops. No child will be left behind.

Digital Skills and Competencies of Parents or Guardians 

Parents or guardians are expected to participate in the teaching and learning of their child or ward in order for them to achieve academic success. Hence, it is important for parents or guardians to have basic technological skills and knowledge. Face-to-face interviews will be conducted with the parents or guardians to find out what technological skills and competencies they have and what  digital tools their child or ward has access to. Measures will be put in place to ensure that the parents or guardians are equipped and knowledgeable enough to assist their child or ward when technology is implemented in all subject areas of the school’s curriculum.