Comments on: No alarms and no surprises? Inspection Report ICT Comments

By: daibarnes

daibarnes — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:15:02 +0000

We’ve been looking at library development and did a survey of 500+ students. Point is, if you ask any librarian worth their salt, it is all about the librarian creating a fun culture and giving the pupils somewhere they want to be whilst maintaining high standards. To my mind there is a lot of talk about space and furniture and the like but it will come down to the children wanting to use it. It’s in high demand at the moment and has antique furniture in it (with mice engraved on legs etc).

Your comments about the inspection comments ring true. I would love to see the evidence – observations, documents, work sample – they based the judgements on. Having said that it reinforces my agenda quite clearly. Thanks for dropping by Jamie.

By: Jamie Portman

Jamie Portman — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:31:36 +0000

“Develop the library as a significant educational resource that encourages pupils to make greater use of both books and the extensive ICT resources that are available to facilitate their independent learning.” …….. and……… “Although teaching frequently makes use of the interactive whiteboard, its full potential is not universally realised across departments.”

EVER get the feeling they have a bank of statements that they just bloody cut and paste????

I presume ‘full potential’ relates to the board being used simply to project power point??? Common across schools I would have thought. Maybe demos of how teachers use them to the full potential is required. Or: perhaps better use would be an evaluation of teacher’s expertise in this area and target those colleagues for support and training in order to achieve a more ‘universal’ use?

Library one is tricky. We once embarked upon using photos of staff as role models reading their favourite book (PE Staff, Young teachers etc) explaining why they like it so much. In essence however, you probably need a shed load of cash to funk the library up a little bit with cool stuff, furniture etc. They have to want to use it – get student council involved maybe. Nice little project for them??

Jamie

@jamierportman

By: Bev Humphrey

Bev Humphrey — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:14:25 +0000

Interesting comments about the Library Dai – but not surprising I assume from talking to you. Lots of scope for improvement there ;0) . I think the comment about the interactive whiteboards not being used to their full potential would be true of the majority of schools which is a shame.