ICT in the School
The Academy has invested extensively in various aspects of Information
and Communications Technology (I.C.T.) in recent years to enhance the
delivery of the curriculum.
There is a whole school
computer network. All pupils are provided with training in its
use and all have access to the Internet and have their own e-mail
address. Pupils are required to sign a ‘Users
Agreement’ which commits them to responsible usage at all times.
Pupils
in First and Second Year undertake ICT training using Litebytes and
Keybytes, which provide instruction related to computer hardware and
software. Successmaker is an Integrated Learning System, which is
computer based. It assists pupils with the development of skills
related to language and numeracy. The Scholar programme provided
by Herriot-Watt university assists the delivery of some courses in the
senior school. All departments are eager to take advantage of the
opportunities provided by ICT within their courses. All pupils
are encouraged to become independent and confident learners using ICT
and to further develop the skills that they may already possess.
There
are three fully networked computer suites in the Academy, in Business
Studies, Computing and Room 8. In addition, there are smaller
suites based in the Library and Technical. All classrooms have at
least one network computer and often others are available within the
department for pupil use.
The Academy has a video conferencing
facility that permits communication with other schools and
organisations via a television link. It is used by pupils
following college based courses. Other aspects of ICT for
use across subjects include video editing facilities, digital cameras,
colour laser printers, interactive whiteboards, Powerpoint projectors
and a host of other devices.
There has been substantial
investment in the provision of ‘Smartboards’ throughout the
school with all classrooms now being equipped. These enable staff to
provide stimulating lessons using new technology. During January 2006
the operating system for the school network was upgraded to Windows XP
and the thirty new PCs were purchased to replace older models.
Our
aim is to ensure that pupils develop the skills and flexibility
required to benefit from the ever-changing technological world in which
we live.