ICT

Subject Co-ordinator - Mrs H. Boyd

Using ICT, along with Communication and Using Mathematics, is one of three statutory Cross-Curricular Skills that form part of the Northern Ireland Curriculum.

"ICT across the curriculum has the potential to transform and enrich pupils' learning experiences and environments. It can empower pupils, develop self-esteem and promote positive attitudes to learning. The creative use of ICT also has the potential to improve pupils' thinking skills, providing them with opportunities to become independent, self-motivated and flexible learners. Pupils should be enabled to develop Using ICT skills by engaging in meaningful and purposeful activities, set in a range of contexts. They should use ICT to handle and communicate information, solve problems, pose questions and take risks."

(Using ICT, NI Curriculum)

We are so excited this year in CPS as we have fancy new Activ Panel 10s in each teaching classroom and one in the ICT Suite. These are an amazing teaching tool and we are so thankful to our PTA and Governors for agreeing to fund this new technology. 

We are very lucky to have a class set of 30 iPads which are used in every class from P1-7 weekly for consolidating our learning in all subjects and to extend our wonderful ICT skills also. 

Our school system as a whole is networked and fitted with appropriate programs to enhance the opportunities afforded to each child. We plan for the improvement and appreciation of ICT skills along with the promotion of Internet Safety. ICT is linked to all other areas of the curriculum and regular tasks are undertaken to include the 5Es of explore, express, exhibit, exchange and evaluate.

We focus our ICT lessons on the 8 Desirable Features within the NI Curriculum of:

• Computational Thinking and Coding 
• Digital Art and Design
• Digital Audio
• Digital Storytelling: Film and Animation 
• Digital Storytelling: Presenting 
• Digital Storytelling: Publishing 
• Managing Data

All pupils from P1-7 have experience of using ICT to enhance their learning and take part in ICT lessons on a weekly basis.

Useful Links for UICT at home 

N.I. Safer Schools APP 

‘Home Learning Hub by ‘Safer Schools’ is a free library of resources to support parents and carers in educating their children on staying safer in a digital world. Download the APP and scan the QR Code to get started.

Do you want to extend your ICT skills?

Are you keen to do some ICT work at home both online and offline

Check out https://www.barefootcomputing.org/homelearning where you can brush up on your skills in debugging, programming, working with patterns and algorithms. There are also mini missions you can print off and complete at home as well as some interactive games you can play.

Have you tried any of these activities at home? Mrs Boyd would love to hear from you....email her at hboyd380@c2kni.net with pictures/your thoughts on these activities.

Happy computing!