Tell us a little about yourself
Vicki has been headteacher at Ayloff school for 4 years and has just taken over as head teacher for the new school Elm Park with responsibility for 65 staff and 410 pupils. One of the school’s core aims is based on preparing pupils for tomorrow’s future today and the use of technology to transform educational practice is an integral part of this vision. The school has worked hard to develop its website and in particular its new school blog, which is proving to be an excellent way to enhance home/school links.
Do you think that Next Generation Learning is a good thing for learners and why?
As a school we signed up to show our commitment to Next Generation Learning because we fervently believe that the use of technology is vital to enhancing the way staff teach and children learn. Next Generation Learning has provided the school with a clear framework which supports the schools’ drive to put technology at the heart of our school improvement, which we believe will provide better learner experiences and help us to achieve better outcomes for learners. NGL also encourages strong partnerships between school, students and parents and enables parents to access and use technology for a positive impact on their child’s learning.
What are the main challenges you anticipate in getting technology embedded?
Our biggest challenge is based around developing a team approach ‘where one goes; we all go’, in getting technology embedded. All our stakeholders have to share the vision, have the same commitment, drive and understanding of how the use of technology can have a far reaching and positive impact on the way in which pupils learn and currently staff are at differing starting points in terms of confidence, skills and commitment. There are no short cuts or quick fixes in the desire to make real changes in how we use technology to transform educational practice, it will require a considerable commitment in terms of cost & effort of professional development programmes lasting months, if not years.
What are your initial thoughts about being involved in the video diary?
We are very proud to be involved with the video diary. It’s a fantastic and unique opportunity for recording the school’s journey towards excellence in ICT and it’s a way to share approaches and tools that may promote innovative practice in other schools.