MORE ABOUT DIGITAL STRATEGY

DIGITAL LITERACY AND CAPACITY

    

1. Supporting a Professional Learning Community

Over the years the school (all staff and students) has and continues to work closely with the parent, and the community. To date it has garnered a positive image and recognition, which is enjoyed by everyone.

As a result, 

• The human and physical resources of the school will be used to provide opportunities for continuing education and training for workers

• Businesses can gain public relations and other long term benefits from contributing to the education of their future work force

• Insights gathered by students will lead to improved practice in the class room

• The school and the business community will have opportunities to share via lectures and career showcases, performances by students.

2. Professional Development

In support of staff development, some training can be done three times a year during the planning week before each term, as well as some planned and scheduled evenings per term. Over the years teachers and students have been afforded the opportunity to acquire a lap from the school via the Ministry of Education. Therefore the professional development  will be consistent with the Ministry’s policy on staff development and will include areas such as:

• Integration of technology, special needs, training needs, attitudes to technology, the delivery of lessons using new media 

• Sharing of expertise from staff within the school.

• Arrangement for training and development of ancillary staff.

3. Effective Communication

For a digital strategy to be successful, it is vital for communication to be consistent, efficient and effective,  via email, social media and  with the staff, parents, business community, Ministry of Education, and International agencies.

4. Digital skills and competencies

• The identification of individual skill sets and needs of members of staff and students will determined through staff development interviews and questionnaires.

• The Information Communication Technology Coordinator (ITC) at the school, as well as trained staff will offer technical support where needed.

 5. Managing Change

The major changes will the an upgrade of the current computer systems to ensure compatibility with new software. The new software, though online would require at times some form of payment if it is being offered to the whole school. 

Timetabling can be modified to include training time and periods that the departments can be available for meetings 

DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND PROCUREMENT

 

1. Digital infrastructure and procurement

There is a clear written as well as digital policy and approach to the use of devices for all staff and students. Staff and student files are secured in a protected database, server and via Cloud. All the devices at the school are up-to-date and were provided by the Chinese Government to the Ministry of Education for the school.

 

2. Security Issues

To access any of the computer systems, a password needs to be entered to gain access. The systems are automatically updated with virus checkers and utility tools via the main Server Room. All user access is automatically recorded and can be easily traced if necessary.

In the event of an electrical fire, the servers are equipped with heavy duty uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) which keep the servers running for at least 10 minutes if there is a power failure.  These are used in conjunction with software which will automatically start the backup process once a major power fluctuation is detected.  Backups are also done as well to ensure that administration still has access to vital school related files at the touch of a button. 

3. Technical Issues

When new computer systems, hardware, software or any other resource arrive at the school, all the relevant information will be entered into a database.  Them same measure is taken when parts are replaced or hardware/software are upgraded. 

Information on new computer users will also be entered in the database as well as any changes to user information.

The same policy will apply to the issuing and use of laptops, projectors and any other devices to staff and students. 

All technical issues will be first addressed by the ICT and any other members of the staff who are trained to do so. In the event that the matter to be resolved requires external intervention (the Internet Service Provider (Digicel), and/or the Ministry of Education personnel where necessary.

4. Infrastructure

The current structure since the school has been renovated within the last two years, has proven to be effective with digital technologies. The two major drawbacks would be not having a large enough bandwidth to accommodate fast, efficient and effective internet use anywhere on the compound on any given day; and the quick replacement of devices when any go bad. To date the modems and extenders that can be accommodate with the network are being used.

There is a smoke detector in the server rooms which are linked to gas type fire extinguishers, with a manual override kill switch (this will allow personnel to cancel the gassing action if there is a false alarm, or personnel is trapped in the room, as this gas is suffocating). Also gas-type fire extinguishers are available in all other rooms and labs which use electronic and electrical devices.

At present there are five (5) labs used mainly for Information Technology classes, but throughout the entire school the resources available to all the departments are:

 

Location	Amount of desktops
Lab1	17
Lab2	16
Lab3	18
ICT room	15
POB room	16
Sci labs	3
Library	10
TD room1	19
TD room2	14
TD room 3	11
Staff room	3
Total (working)	144

 

Desktops not working:  8

Total laptops:  240 (distributed to staff and students). Every teacher is issued with a device

Total tablets:  363 (note that 235 of these tablets were donated by the Republic of China, but are unable to run Google classroom and various other educational apps needed for secondary school).

Total: Chromebooks:  192

Total Robotics kits: 31

 

Operating System on Desktops and Laptops:  Windows 10

Office suite:  Office 2016

All devices are equipped with Anti-virus software to safeguard against threats, viruses, trojans and other malware and spyware.