We have over 55 networked computers at Cargilfield all operating
Microsoft Windows XP. In the Pre-Prep, each P1 classroom
has a computer and the P2 and P3 classrooms have 2. The
Nursery has one PC and one Apple Mac with a wide range of
software running on them. The Pre-Prep has its own
ICT suite with 16 computers in it. These are all networked
and the suite is often used by Upper School classes in various
subjects. In the Upper School there is an ICT suite
of 17 networked computers and an Interactive Whiteboard. There
are currently 3 Interactive Whiteboards in the school and
the new classroom block will have 4 brand new Interactive
Smart Boards installed there. The Pre-Prep also has
a mobile Interactive Smart Board.
Each pupil gets one 45 minute lesson of taught ICT as well
as coming in to use the computers with their subject teachers;
whether it is to research some Science, Geography or History;
or to type up some English or French, the children use computers
regularly for different means.
In the Upper School, the main focus in ICT is on the core
topics - Using the Technology, Creating and Presenting,
Collecting & Analysing, Searching & Researching,
Communicating & Collaborating and Controlling and Modelling.
As they progress through the school, they develop their skills
and knowledge of using the different software the school
has to offer - the main programs being Microsoft Word, Excel,
Access, PowerPoint and Internet Explorer.
Form 4 I.C.T.The junior classes use more child friendly software like Colour
Magic - a paint package; Number Magic - a basic spreadsheet
package; Information Magic - a database program and Talking
First Word - a simplified version of Microsoft Word. The pupils
learn how to use these packages in their ICT lessons and are
then able to apply their knowledge to the work they do in the
other subjects when using computers.
The pupils in the Upper School are all required to learn how
to Touch Type and there is a league format for the pupils to
aspire to - being ‘Top’ of the ‘Premier League’ has
its advantages!
All the pupils in the Upper School are given their own emails
which can be monitored by the ICT coordinator.
At Cargilfield, there is a 2 MegaByte Broadband Internet Connection
and we have a very strict Filtering function monitored by the
ICT coordinator and the remote management team.