The heart of Collegiate’s commitment to equipping its pupils for a technological future is its modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre, an area of the school that buzzes with activity from before lessons begin in the morning to late in the afternoons.The new millennium has been an enriching experience for me. The Junior Primary pupils have grown in confidence in their computing skills and in the process of mastering the home row keys on the keyboard. The Grades 4-7 have especially enjoyed the privilege of e-mail and Internet based projects. Pupils are assessed continuously and receive a detailed report in terms 2 and 4.

The Pre-primary learners use the following programs during their lessons on a weekly basis (these are all free downloads).

·         Drawing for Children

·         Tux Typing

·         Tux Paint

List of programs used in the Computer Centre besides the Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Paint and PowerPoint) package:

·         Numeracy Banks (Maths programs Grades 4-7)

·         Easi-Keysi (Language and Spelling  Grades 3-7)

·         Readers are Leaders (English and Afrikaans-all Grades)

·         Inspiration 6UK (Create graphic organisers, concept maps, concept ideas, etc.)

·         Print Shop Ensemble 111 (create labels, posters, birthday cards, etc.)

·         EStory (English Program)

·         Evalunet (Activities based on the S. A curriculum incorporating the various Learning Areas)

We have just purchased a software package from Sherston which we plan to use in the computer centre as well.  This package has more than 100 titles to choose from.

Highlights of 2011:

 

My Grade 2 and 3 learners and Computer club girls worked collaboratively with a school in Chelyabinsk, Russia.  Because the Russian Grade 2 pupils could not write in English, they drew pictures depicting their “Morning Routines” and the teacher e-mailed me their beautiful work.

 During the computer lessons, the Grade 2 and 3 girls drew pictures in Paint and I mailed it off to Russia!  My girls were rewarded with a beautiful certificate designed by Irina.  My computer club girls typed a word document on various topics as well:  Morning routines, Where I live and Mealtimes.  I sent their work off to Irina so she could read to her pupils and they could get an idea of our way of life as well.  We also exchanged beautiful Christmas cards done by both our groups of learners.