February 8, 2005
Dear members of the Viscount Montgomery School Council,
This report will give you a description of our school's computer facilities, and also will outline my intended plan of action for doing some research on how to focus and improve the use of the facilities. The report is submitted freely with a simple desire to keep the members of the School Council informed.
The school computer network consists of 45 student workstations, in an array of 34 in the computer lab, 4 in the library, 2 in the Learning Resource room and 5 others in classrooms (3 in primary/junior and 2 in middle school). Each of these machines has internet connectivity. There are also 4 administration workstations. With our student population of about 500, the ratio meets the Board standard of 11 students per computer.
Each of these machines is configured with a wide variety of educational software, and is internet capable.
The primary-junior classes use the lab when their teachers sign them up and bring them. The lab is put to a wide variety of uses, depending on how the individual teachers incorporate the computers into their lesson plans. For example, sometimes the computer is used as an information source through internet search engines and on-line encyclopediae; other times students are developing language skills through vocabulary activities and word processing. In the primary classes, the lab is sometimes used for basic patterning skills and learning letters, numbers and early reading skills. Not all primary classes use the computers regularly. The junior classes use them more often.
Each of the middle school classes are scheduled into the lab three times every ten day cycle, with the computer lab being staffed for these classes. I plan this time in collaboration with other subject teachers, and seek to support and implement the use of the computers in their subjects. I also plan lessons that explore new activities, and build upon previously learned skills, such as word processing and touch typing.
In the coming months, I will designing and conducting a parent survey in order to develop a better sense of what our school community and families have in the way of home computers. Through this survey I would also like to develop and maintain an email list, so that newsletters and other information memos can be sent electronically.
I would also like to facilitate a greater focus on early reading skills by the primary classes, and will investigate how to assist teachers who would like to use the literacy software in the computer lab with their classes.
Finally, our school website is maintained by myself as time permits. I try to keep it current and relevant. The original design was created three years ago by a parent. The URL is www.vmbruins.info Presently we have a number of photo collections available for viewing, and many student web pages as well. Please take some time to have a look at the web site. I greatly value your comments, questions and suggestions regarding the appearance and contents of our school's web site. I believe that it is has great potential for enhancing communication between home and school, and for presenting our positive image and values to the public. You can email me at any time about this. I'd like to also request that the School Council minutes be edited and emailed to me so that they may be published on the school website for viewing by our school community.
Thank-you for your support and interest.
Glen Brown, Computer Studies Teacher
