Linda Hayman, ICT Applications & Projects Manager

Implementing Innovation @

Geelong Grammar School

www.ggs.vic.edu.au

Implementing Innovation @ Geelong Grammar School

• Geelong Grammar School• ICT – the past to present• Blackboard 6.3

Teacher & student stakeholders• Professional Development & Support

strategy

Glamorgan

•ELC – Grade 6

•International Baccalaureate’s Primary Years Programme

Bostock House, Geelong

Senior School, Corio

Middle School, Corio

•Years 5 – 8

•Day and full boarding students

Timbertop• Co-educational Year 9• Full Boarding only• Victorian High Country location

SummaryGeelong Grammar School’s objectives, structure and environment means that it faces a number of strategic challenges that will place high demands on IT Service Delivery and the use of IT. The following diagram shows the IT Implications based on GGS’s current objectives, structure and environment.

GGS ICT Strategic Plan Study – 2003Section 2 - GGS Objectives and Direction

Geelong Grammar School IT Implications

Education Objective:Providing a diverse learning environment to promote enthusiasm for learning, and preparing young people to develop a broad and strong base of knowledge and skills.

School StructureMultiple departments focusing on different but interdependent activities to achieve GGS’s objectives.

School EnvironmentDifferent age groups, philosophies and geographical environments to support the diverse learning experience that GGS provides.

• Use of emerging technologies to deliver curriculum.• Flexible and high levels of IT management and

support.• Access to information to facilitate learning.• Close alignment between IT and the business of

education.

• Integrated IT environment.• Up to date and accurate information management.• IT environment that facilitates internal and external

communication and collaboration.• Builds community.• IT that directly supports boarding and pastoral care

• Flexible IT environment that supports the needs of the different campuses.

• Fast and reliable support.• Appropriate policies, standards and guidelines for the

effective use of IT.• Right client service culture.

Section 7 – Key RecommendationsRole of IT• GGS’s IT Vision, strategic objectives and key projects to support the vision and strategies based on issues and opportunities is

summarised in the following illustration.

STRATEGIC

TACTICAL

GGS environment and current IT issues and

opportunities

IT VisionTo support the goals and objectives of Geelong

Grammar School by providing students, teachers, staff and parents with a flexible, integrated, robust

and reliable IT environment to enable them to learn, teach, communicate, collaborate, and access and

disseminate timely and reliable information

Strategic Objectives• To enhance student education• To enable teachers to use IT effectively in

classrooms to deliver curriculum.• To have a robust technology platform upon

which to perform the administrative, teaching or research functions.

• To ensure students are able to effectively use technology in classrooms.

• To enable fast and reliable communication and collaboration with stakeholders.

• To build strong relationships and communities.OPERATIONAL

Evaluate GGS Database

Review Blackboard

Implementation

Effectiveness of Notebook

Program

Infrastructure Improvements

Internet, Extranet and Intranet Strategies

IT Policies and Standards

KEY PROJECTS

Network Profile of GGS

• Fully integrated network across all four campus sites

• Optic Fibre Network backbone• Wireless Network (over 120 Access Units)• Over 24 Network servers• Outsourced strategic partnership with Computelec

ICT Applications & Projects Manager

• Research ideas and initiatives• Critically assess the suitability of

initiatives for GGS eg: Blackboard upgrade

• Development of ICT across whole school practice including administration

• Responsibility for ICT PD of staff, Academic & Administration

• Work with teachers to support initiative implementation

ICT Applications & Projects

• Database -Synergetic• Internet – ggs homepage

www.ggs.vic.edu.au• Blackboard• Professional Development –

Academic & Admin. staff• Infrastructure developments

software/hardware – IWB SMARTBoard

Interview with Malcolm Hayes

Brad Walter, Database Manager

Professional Development Blackboard 6.3

• Staff introduction sessions• Mentor ID for each Department• Mentor training• Online/Blackboard PD support

materials• Ongoing training and development

Blackboard PD

Corio Academic

staff introduction

Mentor Strategy

Departmental briefings

Online Strategy- Campus

Strategy-Timbertop

& Glamorgan

Corio Campus

Staff; Dec 05

Dept Personnel identified

Focussed PD

sessions Dec 05

Additonal PD

sessions Semester One '06

Semester Two '05

Head of Dept

Meetings ongoing

Blackboard 6 Training

Course

Admin Staff Introduction

Admin Blackboard

Course

Admin Introduction

Session Semester One

'06

Introduction Sessions Semester Two '06

Mentor Strategy

Online Strategy

E-learning Adoption cycles1. Enhancement to traditional course/programme configuration

2. New Course management tools

3. Imported Course Objects

4. New Course/Programme configuration

Faculties re-engineer teaching and learning activities to take full and optimal advantage of the new technology.

(Zemsky and Massy, 2004)

Info Courtesy of Bb Asia Pacific conference

Department Mentors

• Separate ‘expert’ training sessions before upgraded Bb went live (2005)

• Ongoing mentor training sessions (2006) focussed on Dept & common needs

• Available for teacher support within Depts

Blackboard PD Course site

Introducing Blackboardto students @ GGS

Notebook Computer Program

• Notebook workshop program• Classroom use, improving student

learning outcomes• Use of Blackboard to

support notebook program

Limeburners Bay excursion - video

Math courses

Religious Education

Commonwealth Games-Integrated Units in Middle School

International Baccalaureate

Brad Walter, Database Manager

In conclusion

• Whole School ICT Vision• Applications & Projects

Innovation focusImprove student learningoutcomesStriving for excellence

• Blackboard integral to teaching and learning

Thank You!

Linda HaymanICT Applications & Projects Manager

Geelong Grammar SchoolCorio, Victoria

Australia

LHayman@ggs.vic.edu.au