Information and Communication Department
The ICT department is situated in The Christopher Smith Building (Warden 1938-48). The IT centre comprises of a large computer suite with 24 up-to-date computers, and the IT department offices. In the centre of this building is a large open space used for CAD computing applications. There is also The Learning Resources Centre in the main building, which has 25 Computers. Both Computer Suites are used for ICT teaching and extensively by other departments.
Many other departments have smaller suites, with computers installed with specialist applications.
ICT skills at Glenalmond are developed predominantly through teaching and learning. As the use of ICT grows in each subject, so we move towards a seamless interface between subject and ICT tools.
Every classroom is equipped with at least one computer, data projector and many have Interactive Whiteboards.
Information Technology Department Staff
Mrs I C M Cox
Isabelle is the ICT Network Manager and teaches ICT throughout the school. She presides over the ever-extending network to all parts of the school and boarding houses.
Mr W A S MacAulay
Walter teaches ICT throughout the school, and is also the School Information Management System Database administrator.
Mrs S L Hill
Shelley teaches ICT throughout the school and specialises in administering the Mac Server
Mr R E Haylock
Richard is the webmaster.
Information Technology Curriculum
In the II Form, pupils are introduced to a wide range of software. They are able to develop their basic IT skills on packages such as Microsoft Office Professional. Pupils will learn how computers are used in everyday life, how general purpose packages and computer systems work, how to write computer software, and how to use and understand the school's network and the Internet.
Here they undertake a number of interesting and exciting projects, while developing their problem-solving skills. This is using a syllabus that is changing and developing to take into account new ideas, equipment and software as it becomes available or on-line. They will design websites and create animations.
All pupils maintain and develop their IT skills through continued lessons in III, IV and V Forms. They work towards an established qualification (European Computer Driving Licence) at the end of the V Form. This qualification consists of 7 modules: Basic concepts of IT, Using the computer and managing files, Word processing, Spreadsheets, Databases, Presentation and Information and communication.
The Glenalmond College network allows wired connection to the school network from every classroom at Glenalmond and from all of the Boarding Houses. In addition, many classrooms and Houses have wireless access to the school network. Every pupil who has his or her own laptop can connect via wireless to the network.
The network resources are growing steadily. We have broadband internet access to teaching materials and to information. This access is changing the way that we teach and learn because we can all access up to the minute materials about a host of topics. Although the content and quality of web sites can be variable, pupils are increasingly directed towards useful sites by their teachers and we now have a growing web of intranet resources. Access to undesirable sites is made difficult by our web filters.
Pupil Computers
Glenalmond allows pupils to bring their own computers to school, but they have to be configured by the ICT Department. They must have our anti-virus software which we provide. We can also provide an educational version of Microsoft Office at a small annual cost to parents.
The recommended Operating System for computers is Microsoft XP Professional. These computers can join the network and the pupils can use all the facilities available to them. Other operating systems can be configured for the network but these will not be able to access all the on- line resources.
It is not compulsory for pupils to bring a computer to school as there are many computers available for pupils to use. The policy for pupils bringing in their own computers is:
II & III form – not necessary
IV & V form – recommended
LVI & UVI form – strongly recommended
