ICT

We believe that the ability to use ICT effectively is a vital life skill in modern society. We give each child opportunities to develop these skills through offering a broad range of experiences. For further details please contact us with reference to our ICT policy document.

This child is printing the picture he drew on the computer using a graphics program

Our Curriculum

We believe that technology should support and enhance existing classroom areas and activities rather than replace them. In many areas there are ICT resources for children to access. We provide opportunities for children to:

· Explore ICT resources in role play to help develop their understanding of technology in the real world, e.g playing with non-functioning keyboards as ‘rocket control panels,’ using a cardboard box as a pretend T.V., or playing with a cash register in the maths area.

· Operate real electrical devices e.g using the cassette recorder to listen to stories or music through headphones, using the digital camera to take photographs etc.

· Experience a planned programme of activities on the computer with an emphasis on the development of ICT capability, e.g. mouse control.

· Experience use of the computer to support other areas of learning, e.g. a sorting and matching program in Maths.

· Use programmable toys such as the BeeBot floor robot.

· Go out on walks in the local environment to observe and talk about ICT, e.g looking at traffic lights, telephone boxes etc.

Listening to a story tape on the cassette recorder through the headphones

Our Learning and Teaching Strategies

In order to help children become confident and independent users of ICT we provide:

* Direct teaching to individuals, pairs, or small groups of children

* Time for independent use with opportunities to experiment and explore

* Opportunities for play with computers and other forms of technology

* Parent help so that there is an adult on hand to support and extend children’s learning

* We provide adult role models so that children occasionally see staff at work on computers

Concentrating on mouse control to manouvre the cursor

Access to ICT and resources

Each classroom has:

· A computer with printer. All computers are equipped with hard disks on which a suite of core software is installed.

· A cassette and CD player with headphones that can be operated independently by children for story or music tapes.

· Non functioning pieces of technology for use in role play, e.g telephones in the office areas, washing machines in the Lets Pretend area etc.

· Programmable toys.

· A scanner.

· A digital camera for use by staff and children.

In addition there is:

· An Interactive White Board in one of the classes.

· A computer in the corridor for use by parents and children when arriving at Homerton.

· An electric portable cooker and other cooking technology that is regularly used in the classrooms.

· A microwave in the staff room used occasionally by staff to demonstrate a different type of cooking to the children.

· A laminator and photocopier.

Equal Opportunities

All children have equal access to ICT in order to develop their personal ICT capability and understanding. We check CD ROMs and software to ensure that gender and ethnicity are reflected in a balanced way without stereotyping, and also that our software is age appropriate.

The SENCO advises on the IT support that can be provided to individual children with particular educational needs, including high ability children.

Health and Safety

We are aware of various health and safety issues when using computers with young children and the need to form good habits from the beginning.