This is the first blog post written by our first certified ‘Do’er’. Frank Bannon is PT Technology Across the Curriculum at John Paul Academy in Glasgow & Do-Be Do’er. In his own words…..
I first met the guys at Do-Be about 2 years ago. As a teacher in a Secondary Establishment, I was a fledgling Educational Blogger and was experimenting with Web 2.0 tools in the classroom to support and engage pupils in my subject.
I was competent enough myself in the use of Web2 tools but embracing the ethos of ‘sharing good practice’ was going to be a challenge. I didn’t have the time to spend supporting the whole school in the development of ICT across the Curriculum. I had to steal moments here and there with colleagues and attempt to support them whenever I could. Then Kirsten arrived at the school with a big glossy Teach-IT pack. I was blown away with the content of Teach-IT. Here was a tool that could help me support staff in the development of ICT across the curriculum. And so it began…I was given responsibility of liaising with Do-Be and proposed investing in the Teach-IT packs to support our staff.
We invested in a number of Teach-IT packs as a school and access to the online version was included. I used Teach-IT to help our English department begin using MP4 players for a homework unit. I also developed my own Beatles Rock Band project using the resources within Teach-IT and many of our developments since have been little seeds of inspiration from Teach-IT which are growing into big, big acorns. In fact, one of our pupils, with additional support needs, is currently using MP4’s to present work for a Higher level course.
2 years on, I have been promoted to Principal Teacher of Technology Across the Curriculum with a remit for developing the effective and engaging use of ICT in all areas of our Curriculum for Excellence. Staff are about to begin an exiting period of ICT development in which I will use Teach-IT to support my own improvement planning for the school. Personally Teach-IT has revolutionised the way I access my own CPD and I now use an iPad instead of a teachers planner. My pupils use it to research and answer their own questions. All because I played with one at a Do-Be stall and saw the potential for improving the learning & teaching in my classroom (again).
As well as supporting our staff in whole school CPD events and providing ICT resources, Do-Be provide a basis for professional discussion and engagement. Do-Be continue to lead the way in supporting professionals within the authority in the development if ICT both in and out of their classrooms.
Personally, I see the Teach-IT as a tool to support staff in their own professional development. The simple but creative way the resource is laid out makes it easy to dive in, grab a lesson idea and give it a go. Teach-IT focuses on a number of Web 2.0 tools and developing skills in the use of these basics will allow teachers to better engage with online learning environments such as GLOW in the future.
By Frank Bannon
PT Technology Across the Curriculum & Do Be Do’er
