The I.T Committee (Improving I.T at The Billericay School)
Recently I asked my parents “What was secondary school like for you?” Well, the most positive response possible was “Lets just say it was not like what your schools are like today, we were not provided with all the extravagant and useful facilities you have and so easily take for granted”. Now, I do not want to seem disrespectful, but they are right. We do not realise how much school life, as well as our home life has changed over recent decades. Anything from computers to interactive whiteboards can be found in and around the school, and in all honesty, “When was the last time you completed your homework or coursework handwritten?”
And with that in mind, computers have unquestionably helped us not just in school, but in many different ways throughout life. And as you read this article now, with your gleaming laptop sitting on your knees, do you ever wonder if a computer is just a computer or is it more or less than that?
819 students within the school recently took a survey regarding I.T within the school and the results showed that 99.4% of the students surveyed had computers available at home, with 98.2% of that bold figure having easy and fast internet access. So it is certainly obvious that from this evidence we, as students, definitely use our computers a lot. So considering we seem to use our computers a lot on a daily basis , why is it that at school we continually treat computers unfairly and disrespectful, when quite clearly the I.T department have worked immensely hard to provide up to date and quality programs and facilities?
One particularly important and amazing program I would personally like to mention is the school portal, an internet program which allows you to access your school computer documents from the comfort and warmth of your very own home (For more information: www.billericay.essex.sch.uk).
Now do not get me wrong, you may already be aware of this useful and effective program, and if so, you may have had problems with accessing the portal. We found that although 83% of you know were the portal is, only a mere 25% of you actually use the portal, a surprising amount which has raised some questions.
Difficulties have occurred through using the portal (31% of surveyed students support this fact) but we want to reassure you that the I.T department have recognised this and we are here to help, both by injecting more servers into the school and offering this new and exciting opportunity we have on offer. This will not just help you to appreciate the important role I.T has within the school but also help you meet more people who are interested in I.T and improving facilities within the school.
That is why the I.T department have decided to create an I.T committee, one which will act on behalf of students as well as being run by students. This new and exciting committee will thrive to improve I.T in the school and do this by collecting feedback from students and staff, which consequently will give us a clearer idea on what improvements need to be made to make I.T in the school better, more effective and faster.
We are looking for people interested to come along and join in, and we really are inviting everybody to come. It does not matter whether you love or hate I.T, it does not matter whether you are a I.T brainiac or clueless on how to use a mouse. We just need people to take action and as a result many benefits will follow through applying for this committee. Besides meeting other people, you will be able to express your opinions in the wider community, learn more useful facts about I.T and show more people that you care for the school and the priceless facilities they provide to support your all important education.
On the other hand, if you would prefer not to join the committee then that is fair enough, but if you have no interest in joining but at the same time do not feel I.T is at all important and changing the keyboard letters around is funny, then you do not realise how much of a negative effect you are having on the school.
Over £2,000 was spent on keyboard and mouse replacements in the school last year, while £18,000 was spent on ink cartridges (no wonder we do not have any colour printers available). This is money that, quite frankly, could be spent on much more worthwhile facilities, so even if you have no interest whatsoever in I.T it would still be very helpful if you treated the facilities provided with the respect and care that they deserve. This is mainly because no matter where you are or what problems you are faced with, computers will always be around to help you in some way, which is why if I asked you what life would be like if we had no computers, you would think I would have gone absolutely mad.
On a lighter note, I would like to clarify that if you do have any problems regarding your computer, either at home or at school, then please do not hesitate to see either Mr Darley or the I.T staff, they can be found in the I.T office at the top of C Block. I am sure they will be more than happy to help and the new I.T committee is a glistening example of the efforts being made by the I.T department. In conclusion, it is your education that matters the most and it is clear that the I.T department have worked continuously hard to widen interest within learning throughout the school. So if you would like to let everyone know about what needs to be done to improve I.T within the school or know a friend who might be keen on joining then maybe the I.T committee is for you.
For more information, you can speak to any of the House Captains or Mr Darley.
by Alexander Tyldesley
