Background My name is Mary. I am 15 years in second level, Guidance Counselling, SEN, Geography, Economics Was permanent, now 2 years substitute, all school settings (community, voluntary, ETB) I wanted to participate in ENTELS to maintain my ICT skills in the classroom. It was free, online, flexible, and an opportunity to share good practice I have always sought out learning networks e.g. set up Galway branch AGTI, ILSA, worked with NCCA, love Twitter Platform for learningAGTIILSATwitter Networks have changed (human to web), but opportunity to learn from colleagues remain, and has widened

ENTELS Course I completed two modules: ICT toolkit & Assessment, familiar with some, but learned how to do things properly, tend “not to read the instructions” I Had a good look at Personalised learning Networks Highlights Symbaloo – excellent to organise students’ Personal Career Research PLE via Blogger – doing one on Moderate GLD, brave to share, ease of access - all teachers & students have some device, free, all in one space/roof, place for resources, networking, building skills, AFL Youtube editor - eportfolio to illustrate L2LP learning, simulate tasks before going to real world e.g. Short course caring for animals, sharing stories Storybird – literacy, Dyslexia, all students

Blogger – L2LP Personalised Learning Environment

Need for School ICT Integration Policies Challenges in Integrating ICT Different school settings, different IT culture Different teachers different tools – Edmodo, Google Drive/Classroom, Microsoft suite different versions, various web apps, students & teachers - master of none Even where 1: 1 devices exist, some students don’t have one, parents can’t use them Students never presented, never mind using IT Not recognising learning through IT, is SC learning give me the notes, what’s the answer? learn off?

Possible solutions School wide policy necessity (local not national – each school different) Realistic/Respectful CPD – Part of policy, agreed platform, few web apps, not too many, at subject department level, fear of change/resistance – teachers & students A few devices per subject department, will encourage group work Part of SSE? Ensure progression, evaluate Instil message that skills are important as knowledge in SC & JC – deficit in schools, mixed messages from research Make learning visible, by using IT in my Business project, I will learn/now I have learned….. show success e.g. LCVP assessment via Google

What I enjoyed most from the ENTELS experience What could have improved the experience for me What I’d like to see more of in future professional development Flexible, free, self directed online learning Relevant, useful content Learning what other teachers are doing – looking at blogs Discovered Blogging Reassurance, that my skills & knowledge is in line with good practice God mix of theory, links and videos e.g. AFL Good feedback from H2 learning Interaction with peers Too many apps, information on some could be less, repetitive Some videos shorter More real examples of classwork Interaction with peers e.g. I did a MOOC on Autism/ADHD the participants interacted via Twitter tag & I still follow some, opportunity to continue to learn Shorter, themed CPD, subject, specialist area Ask teachers not just management, too much mystery around IT, keep it simple, be respectful of all teachers’ needs Teacher Feedback