Developing a Sustainable ICT Culture Rob Pyers, Principal Dimboola Memorial Secondary College

1. Developing a Sustainable ICT Culture Rob Pyers, Principal Dimboola Memorial Secondary College (Former Loose Head Prop and reluctant All Blacks supporter) Integrating new technologies to empower learning and transform leadership

2. TODAY’S SESSION • Some background about DMSC • Look at the theory behind DMSC’s successful move to having an ICT rich culture • Look at the change in data • Look at the questions sustainability provides • Look at the long term plans for DMSC

3. DMSC ROB PYERS - PRINCIPAL • Principal since 2007 • Previously Assistant Principal and Innovation and Excellence Educator, Melton, Western Region. • Born and raised in Warracknabeal, Wimmera • Family: wife Charlotte and four children Elite, Che, Eamon and Rian • Passion for learning, for working to improve the educational outcomes of students

4. DMSC - BACKGROUND • Located between Melbourne and Adelaide • Township – 1900 • College size - 205 students 24 teaching staff • Only purpose built Memorial School in Australia • College is a Catalyst School in partnership with eLearning (Dept Education and Early Childhood Victoria) and Microsoft

5. DMSC SOLDIERS MEMORIAL HALL A LIVING MEMORIAL

6. DIMBOOLA - LOCATION

7. THINKING ABOUT TODAY IS NOT PREPARING FOR TOMORROW

8. WHAT TYPE OF EDUCATION DO WE WANT TO PROVIDE

9. SCHOOL CULTURE • Culture is the underground stream of norms, values, beliefs, traditions, and rituals that builds up over time as people work together, solve problems, and confront challenges. This set of informal expectations and values shapes how people think, feel, and act in schools” (Deal and Peterson 1998). • Culture is ‘the way we do things around here’ (Garratt 1990).

10. WHAT IS CULTURE? HOW DOES A SCHOOL CHANGE IT? • Think of the culture within your own school. • Think of an event in your school which reflects your schools culture - what are the underlying values which exist within your event? • If these are good values how can they be replicated? • If these are values which need to change how can you address this?

11. HOW DO YOU EAT AN ELEPHANT? Fact – to accelerate learning you need to slow down. So -Break up information into small manageable pieces – the faster learners will pick up and learn the information -One to two instructions at one time e.g. one new thing in the morning and one new thing in the afternoon andthen revise it

12. ASSISTING STUDENTS FOR THE FUTURE “Students learn spontaneously. What they need, however, is help from experts in how to learn better – how to upgrade their own self designed but restricted capacity for acquiring information, and creating experience.” (John Abbott 21st C learning Initiatives)

13. CORE BELIEF Nothing significant will happen with the introduction of technologies unless: 1. It is a whole school approach – it is owned by all 2. The focus is on teaching and learning – improvement is the goal 3. Teaching does not happen in egg shells – we encourage risk taking and develop confidence in staff 4. The school community will be supportive if they understand that student improvement is at the heart of the changes

14. SCHOOL LEADERSHIP • The crucial role of the principal in schools is widely acknowledged in literature. • Leadership needs to model not only the usage of ICT but model its importance – sell the message • Our mantra is to be the best at ICT • Building an environment of trust is vital to ensure staff are risk takers – build trust as there will be ups and downs • Having a culture which ensures development is a a significant part of each staff members development plan – make sure everyone is rowing in the same direction

15. NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE Network Topography • Cable capabilities / Broadband Speed now 10mb • Access points/Wireless Access • Future proofing thinking ahead of the game • Computer ratio 1 computer: 3 students as of 2009 Personnel • 2007-09 Leading Teacher ICT/PD • 2009 – First full time ICT Technician Employed • 2010 LT ICT (1 to 1 Laptop program/Network Support) • & LT Peer Coaching (On line learning and teacher development)

16. ACCESS TO ICT • Cameras – all staff are given a digital camera • Scanners – throughout the college in every building • Video –12 flip cameras and 2 HD Cameras • Mobile Phones – students are encouraged to use mobile phones when appropriate • Laptops – students are encouraged to bring their own to School, now approximately 1 in 5 students In 2010 the College will move to a 1 to 1 Platform • DMSC now has a committed budget of 7.5% of its overall annual program budget as its minimum ICT Hardware budget figure. Wages and time allowances are not included in this.

17. DEVELOPING STAFF – DEVELOPING THE CONFIDENCE TO USE ICT • Implementation Plan for use of IWB’s through PEER Coaching and Collegial Groups • Professional Learning Sessions for targeted PD • Expanded use of Digital Resources and process to make it part of daily life • “Maximise to minimalise, make it the norm”

18. PEER COACHING AND COLLEGIAL GROUP STRATEGYIWB ROLL OUT • What was the Plan? • Not installed until prepared. • Progressive through subject areas • Teacher proficiency before access • T & L focus - not just technology • Use of all ICT’s • Problem solving

19. PEER COACHING AND COLLEGIAL GROUP STRATEGY Coaching is not just for beginning teachers Collegiate support Others sharing the journey Peer Coach works with a small group of 4-5 staff Group ‘graduates’ together into their classrooms

20. THE SIMPLE ANSWER • The use of local expertise is seen as a key factor to the transference of “what could be….. to…. what is.”

21. IMPACT OF INITIATIVES • Leading Schools Fund • CeLL Initiative • Intel Teach to the Future Program • Peer Coaching – CATALYST • Wimmera Virtual School • Online Learning Environment – Ultranet Ready Link

22. WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE?

23. ON-LINE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTMOODLE - ULTRANET • Teacher Personal Pages • Individual student pages linked to their classes • KLA pages • Timetables • Download - software/documents • DEECD links

24. WIMMERA VIRTUAL SCHOOL

25. SEARCHING TO BE INNOVATIVE – CRICKET VICTORIA PARTNERSHIP

26. DMSC Culture Changes - ICT – Becomes a part of how we work every day Students Lists Sport houses Excursion forms Form Lists Bulletin and Bookings Staff and Students Bulletin Booking - rooms, ICT Principals Vodcast/Podcast for Parents Policy and Procedures All policies online All Job Descriptors online

27. DMSC STAFF AND STUDENT DATA 2009

28. STUDENT DATA – ATTITUDE TO SCHOOL

29. STUDENT DATA – 3 YEAR TREND

30. STUDENT ATTENDANCE

31. STAFF DATA

32. STAFF DATA – 3 YEAR TREND

33. HOW WILL DMSC LOOK TO MAINTAIN A SUSTAINABLE ICT CULTURE? • Embed ICT as a part of the Colleges Strategic Plan and Leadership • Look to be risk takers, be innovative • Maintain a commitment to investing in hardware and professional development • Continue to look at other schools and have our doors open for review and reflection • Take up opportunities that can provide growth in students and staff • Build a culture of trust

34. WHAT ARE THE PLANS FOR THE FUTURE FOR DMSC? • Continue to strive to be the best ICT School in Australia • Embed ICT in the everyday life of staff and students • Move to 1 to 1 and On line learning environment in 2010 • Look to develop new and innovative practices to impact upon student outcomes like the three IWB’s approach

35. PARTING GIFT • pyers.robert.r@edumail.vic.gov.au • www.dmsc.vic.edu.au • http://www.go2web20.net/