The LWICT and SLICT projects amalgamated with the Schools Online Curriculum Services Project to align the Department’s service provision for the use of ICT in schooling. The following elements of the support model will operate this year:
1. Funding for your coordinator can be used a number of ways e.g. to provide teacher relief to any staff to enable collaborative planning, team teaching, work shadowing or mentoring.
2. Transferring your funding into a cash grant – for some schools it is difficult to utilise the coordinator funding as a salary payment. In line with the Classroom First strategy aimed at giving greater flexibility for schools to use resources, it is possible to organise a transfer of salary pool funds to a cash grant through the Schools Resourcing Branch. The funds can then be used to take advantage of outside professional learning courses and facilitators such as those detailed on the CMIS evaluation website http://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/cmis/eval/pd/courses/index.htm. You can discuss your decisions regarding professional support providers with any of the SOCS Project Team
3. Professional learning online – all staff can access a free 18 month license to the ICT professional learning Teachers have Class! This service provides motivating, relevant, instructor-led and self-paced modules for teachers to complete in their own time. The modules help teachers use Microsoft PowerPoint, Word and Excel, Movie Maker, Photo Editor and the internet in their teaching. To register for Teachers have Class! go to http://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/curriculumict/pl/tchrs_have_class.htm
4. Email and phone support – SOCS project officers will continue to offer email and phone support to coordinators and Principals on project queries. A list of SOCS project officers and contact can be found here.
5. LWICT and SLICT forums – the collaborative forums will continue with support from SOCS project officers. Your coordinator can get advice on how to register from any SOCS project officer.