Page 44 - Technology Plan ICT Review

NDH Survey Interpretation
•To improve student satisfaction in this area, NDH must review current equipment in- ventories with respect to upgrading quantity and quality in response to current needs. If necessary, more equipment should be purchased. Teachers, on the other hand, should continuously be encouraged to familiarize themselves with the available technology and their application to their curriculum.
How Students rate the Availability and Quality of Computers and Other Equipment
•For the school term 2003-2004, there was no change in the satisfaction rating of stu- dents with respect to the availability and standard of computers and other equip- ment in NDH. As the above chart shows, 84% of students continued to express satisfaction this year, the same figure in the previous year.
•Grade 9 students’ satisfaction rating improved slightly this year, from 79% last year to 83% this year. This can be attributed to a high level of computer use by this Grade level especially during the review period for their PATs. It is also interesting to note that more students in Grade 9 are satisfied with the availability of equipment in NDH than when they were in their previous school, DBE.
•The satisfaction of Grade 10 – 12 students, on the other hand, dropped slightly, from 88% last year to 84% this year.
•The over-all level of satisfaction may be flat but nonetheless, there are indications that improvements in the quantity and quality of equipment are needed. For instance, while computers are readily available for every student, the ratio of peripheral equip- ment (such as the video cams, digital cameras, projectors, televisions and VCRs) and users is extremely low. At present, NDH can count on just one video cam, 2 digital cameras, one projector and 2 televisions and VCRs both for staff and stu- dents’ use.
•This is a critical shortcoming since student interest and learning outcomes can be greatly enhanced by the creative and constant use of electronic media in the class- room.
•This problem is somehow compounded by the persistently low use of technology by teachers in the classroom. Although degrees of application may vary, teachers should be encouraged to use computer-generated and media-assisted teaching materials to generate interest and put variety in their delivery.
•Admittedly, this would involve additional preparation on the part of the teachers (not to mention queuing up for use of limited equipment) but the application of technol- ogy to enhance teaching cannot be underestimated and must consistently be pro- moted.

How Students rate their computer technology skills
•Over-all, satisfaction levels dropped slightly this year from almost 92% in 2003 to 88% this year.
•While a subjective assessment, it is a frank recognition that their current skills need improvement. It may also be an indication that they devote less time to the use of computer technology for learning.

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