Opening presentation delivered to the Costello Technology College Staff on their INSET Day Nov. 2009. The day focuses on the development of new and emerging technologies in the curriculum

1. Costello Technology College

2. Programme 0830-0845 EPI PEN Training (Main Hall) 0845-0915 Introduction (Main Hall – NP/DT) 0915-1030 Session 1 (rooming as per session details) 1030-1045 Break 1045-1200 Session 2 (rooming as per session details) 1200-1300 Lunch 1300-1500 Departmental time (Focused time to develop FROG by completing this year’s E-Learning action plan, applying knowledge/skills from morning sessions)

3. Elective Sessions

4. Shaping the vision

6. College Vision Main home learning activities all set through FROG Students using tech they bring into school – use of managed wireless, teachers need to manage Collaboration via technology – Web 2.0 Move towards every student having a laptop/netbook Parents more engaged in learning via parent portal FROG supporting strategic school improvement (new tools for monitoring) Application of technology in appropriate way to raise standards Technology used where it can add value

8. Where are we now On average 400 unique visitors per day 6000-10000 page views per day Average visitor will visit at least 15 pages per visit

9. Achievements to date FROG Specialist School College has presented at National E-Learning Conference (June 2009) College has been nominated for an SSaT ICT Register Showcase Award (last week!) Roll out of parent portal (Oct-Nov) National recognition of work undertaken with the transition portal (SSaT – Summer 2009) National recognition of work we are doing with parental engagement – working with Becta, college presenting at BETT and ACSL conference (Jan 2010) Appointed Suzanne as our E-Learning/FROG Administrator

10. What’s coming next? Social networking/collaborative tools Reporting of Assessment Manager Data to parents and students Lots of user generated content FROG really engaging students in learning whether inside the classroom or out Departments setting up portals? More school management/strategic tools built into FROG

11. Parent Engagement via Parent Portal

12. “ Parents we consulted over the last six months all said they wanted to be more involved in their children’s education. And schools see the benefits of greater engagement with parents. We know from schools around the country that if families are going to be involved really effectively, they need a good two-way flow of information – a channel which is more efficient and more frequent than a once a year written report, or a letter home when there is a problem or a cause for celebration. And today I can announce we are taking important steps to use technology to bring all parents even more into the picture.” Jim Knight, Minister of State for Schools and Learners BETT show, 9thJanuary 2008

13. Oh Nothing Much report 82% of parents left 'in the dark' when it comes to their child's schooling Nearly a third of parents feel excluded by their children Only 16% of children proactively talk about their school day Children admit they want to keep 'hassling' parents away from school life. 82% of parents want schools to keep them better informed 43% of parents admit they find it either difficult or very difficult to extract information from their child about their day at school almost half of children (44%) don't like sharing information with their parents 37% of children say they find it quite or very difficult to speak to their parents about their education

14. What’s happened so far Parent focus group set up and unpicked what parents wanted Secured vision with input from stakeholders Reviewed current working practices Developed parent portal product with FROG – initial beta test (April-September) Parent Portal rolled out Oct-Nov. 2009

15. What Parents have said they want (1) What data they would like to access: Homework Access school info (policies/diary) Student Progress (targets/current attainment) Extra curricular activities Behaviour (+/-) Attendance Timetables Teacher feedback on assignments

16. What Parents have said they want (2) Other interactions: Parent teacher communications Booking appointments for parents evening Adult Learning activities Booking of school facilities Update reasons for absence Online payments Registration for school events Surveys Discussion forums Parents advertising skills that could be used by college Enter dialogue with teachers if needed Current topics, lesson resources (Support/extension) Their own E-Learning

18. Useful Sources http://www.nextgenerationlearning.org.uk/ohnothingmuch/Executive-Summary/ http://schools.becta.org.uk/index.php?section=oe&catcode=ss_es_fam_02 http://www.specialistschools.org.uk/article.aspa?PageId=1320 http://www.ict-register.net/pe.php Engaging Parents in Raising Achievement: Do Parents Know They Matter? Exploiting ICT to improve parental engagement, moving towards online reporting: An introduction for schools Exploiting ICT to improve parental engagement, moving towards online reporting: Framework guide

19. www.youtube.com/costellotechcollege