On an e-journey with generation Y

• At a recent teaching and learning meeting, it was recognised that some staff may see no need, nor have time to learn and introduce it into their classroom curriculum. This applies especially at senior levels, where there is a set curriculum to adhere to, SATs to complete and exams to be sat.
• Some staff including the physical education staff saw no real need. (We, of course, could argue against this, but there is no point at this stage.)
• It is too hard and time consuming to take on board
• They feel they have ‘missed their opportunity’ to come on board, and will never catch up now.
• Don’t know where to start and then, what to do with the tools.

Current uses of ICT and Web2.0

• All our teaching staff have registered for a http://del.icio.us social bookmarking account as they can see a ‘need’ to have such an account.  So, we do have 100% use of web2.0 for this use, (if it is used at all).
• most communications are by email and all our reports are completed on a computer, using the software markbooks.
• An intranet has just been set up by our technician using MS Sharepoint
• All teaching staff, but one retired part-timer, have a personal laptop, leased through the department.
• 80% or our primary school staff, are blogging and have got involved in global projects.
• 50% of our total 34-12 staff have created blogs with most posting now.
• A grade 6 classroom blog has been set up
• One aide has commenced blogging
• Other office staff, science lab assistants, library assistants and other SSO staff are showing interest and have asked for after school pd sessions etc
• It has taken ‘baby’ steps to gradually get staff on board. The air of excitement and notable keenness  of students using blogging has created an interest in other staff, and allowed them to see a need, niche and use for blogging.
  What we need to do:

• Continue with 10 minute spot pd’s at staff meetings
• ‘Walk in walk out’ Wednesdays (offer our time for 1 hour after school, for staff to come in with any questions, concerns, needs or just to have time to work on computers and leave at any time)
• Approach staff on an individual basis to seek out their needs, inhibitions and potential uses.
• Direct staff to possible social networks who may be able to help them use these tools
• Encourage participation in global projects.
• Set up resources, links and tutorials including podcasts on our school intranet