Ultranet School Readiness Guide

Getting Ready - Top 5 Things to do to Prepare for the Ultranet

1. Understand the benefits of the Ultranet

  • The school leadership develops an understanding of Ultranet Functionality and the benefits of using the Ultranet.
  • Leadership raises awareness of Ultranet.

2. Make links with Annual Implementation Planning

  • When developing school planning documents including Annual Implementation Plans and Principal and Teacher Performance Plans, connections are made with how the Ultranet can support the achievement of the school’s goals and priorities.

3. Review school infrastructure

  • The SIPS (School ICT Progression Strategy) roadmap and eLearning Plan have been reviewed and updated. The school’s Edustar rating is at least 3.
  • The school has a fleet of contemporary computers (less than 4 years of age).
  • Infrastructure is upgraded so that the network is reliable and performs adequately. (Network should run at a minimum of 100mbps in a switched environment).
  • All computers are running software / browsers compatible with the Ultranet - Internet Explorer 7+, Mozilla Firefox 3.0.6/10+, Safari 3.22+, Adobe Flash 9+ plug-in and JRE plug-in.
  • Plans are in place to ensure all classroom ICT devices have network connectivity through an appropriate mix of wired and wireless infrastructure.
  • Plans are in place for ICT equipment to be readily available throughout the school for staff and student use (consider learning space design and equitable access across year levels).

4. Ensure Cases Data is ready for the Ultranet.

  • The key fields of student name, parent details, home group and year level codes are defined and consistently entered into CASES21. (see chapters 2 & 3).

5. Ultranet deployment, implementation and professional learning is considered in 2010 planning

  • The school leadership develops an understanding of the Ultranet deployment process and establishes clear expectations for school uptake.
  • Confirm deployment and professional learning key dates with region (information available in December 2009).
  • Determine the key people involved in Ultranet Implementation.

Set – What else needs to be considered?
Leadership: Principal and other members of the leadership team are confident to lead Ultranet implementation
  • The school teams including staff, parents and students regularly review policy documents including: ICT Security Policy, Acceptable Use Policy, Privacy, Copyright and Student Engagement Policy . These policies are up to date and actively implemented.
  • All elements of eLearning planning have been considered and reflected in whole school planning. The school is developing a shared vision of what digital technologies can offer in terms of improved learning and teaching.
  • Links are made with how the Ultranet connects to relevant initiatives e.g. National Partnerships, NSSCF, Netbook Trial and BER.
  • The school is an accredited Performance and Development Culture school.
  • Teachers are encouraged to work collaboratively to share, plan and deliver curriculum.
  • Explore links between the Effective Schools Model and the Ultranet.

Infrastructure: School infrastructure is robust and technical support is available
  • All classroom ICT devices have network connectivity through an appropriate mix of wired and wireless infrastructure.
  • ICT equipment is readily available throughout the school for staff and student use (consider learning space design and equitable access across year levels).
  • Technicians have an understanding of their role in Ultranet implementation.

Data/Content: Data and content is ready for the Ultranet
  • Schools should develop the practice of uploading attendance data on a daily basis.
  • For attendance data to be accessed within the Ultranet, schools need to either:
o  Capture half-day attendance data directly within CASES21. Schools that are using CASES21 for attendance should consider using eCASES to collect attendance data; or
o  Import from a third party attendance package. Schools should have successfully tested the export of half-day attendance data from third party attendance package and imported it into CASES21.
  • Identity, Access and Management (IDAM) systems, processes and configuration have been completed by schools in line with DEECD advice (information to be provided).
  • Organise school photographer to present photos in line with DEECD advice.
  • Existing online curriculum content has been audited in preparation for moving to the Ultranet.

Workforce Capabilities: Teachers are confident and capable in using and integrating ICT to support student learning
  • Teachers have completed the ePotential ICT Capabilities survey. The ePotential survey data is up to date and a school report has been generated.
  • Teachers review their survey data, develop ICT Professional Learning Goals and find resources in the Continuum.
  • ICT Professional Learning Strategy is multi-faceted, supporting staff to develop ICT skills, understand how to integrate ICT for improved learning and teaching, and embrace change.
  • The school considers an ICT peer coaching program.
  • Staff understand and model, safe, responsible and ethical practices in the use of ICT.

Learning & Teaching: Teachers are confident to use ICT and to plan, deliver and assess curriculum on-line
  • Teachers use a range of digital resources to support learning and teaching across all curriculum areas.
  • Teachers collaboratively plan curriculum and integrate ICT across all domains.
  • Some curriculum planning and delivery occurs online. Curriculum Plans, learning sequences and resources prepared by teachers are available online for collaboration and sharing.
  • Teachers are developing a shared view of 21st century learning as outlined in the Melbourne Declaration and VELS. Students are challenged through authentic learning contexts that require inquiry, collaboration, communication and problem-solving.
  • ICT is used widely for assessment.
  • Teachers use student portfolios when reporting to parents.

Students: Students are prepared to begin working in the Ultranet
  • A range of ICT tools and resources, including Web 2.0 are being used in some classrooms.
  • A cybersafety awareness program for students is scheduled or has been delivered. Safe, responsible and ethical practices in the use of ICT are evident in all classes.
  • Students negotiate and manage their use of ICT in the classroom.

Go – Now we have the Ultranet…
Workforce Capabilities: Teachers are building confidence and capabilities in using the Ultranet to support student learning
  • Staff are making connections between current practice and the Ultranet environment.
  • Lead Users are working with staff to introduce the Ultranet and to make connections to the learning and teaching programs. There is a focus on “quick wins”.
  • The Professional Learning Strategy is multi-faceted, supporting staff to develop skills in using the Ultranet, understand how to integrate the Ultranet to support improved learning and teaching, and embrace change.
  • Staff are encouraged to routinely model and share effective practice within the school and network. Teachers are encouraged to collaborate beyond the school.

Students: Students are ready to begin working in the Ultranet
  • Provide student forums, for instance: How the Ultranet supports their learning; or develop a cybersafety awareness program.
  • Students identify evidence of learning to be added to their learning portfolios in their eXpress Space.
  • Students develop learning goals to be added to their eXpress Space.

Community: The school is preparing its community to receive the Ultranet
  • The school has determined if families have access issues and has developed support strategies to support them.
  • The school has a clear strategy about how to engage their community with the Ultranet.
  • Ultranet information is scheduled to be included in the community newsletter (sample information will be provided).
  • The school has scheduled an information night for parents (sample template will be provided).
  • Students show parents how they are using the Ultranet.