At the Touch of a Screen

‘You can withdraw money from the new hole in the wall in Reception,’ I shout to one of our caretakers as I dash past him on my way to check out a class. He gives a look of surprise but genuine interest and I see him going in to see for himself. Ten minutes later we pass each other again and both laugh about the latest technology that looks like an ATM but is actually an interactive touch screen- a Parent Information Point.

Matt White, leading on Extended Schools for our Learning Community, has worked with Richard Penhale, ICT System Manager, to install the information points in all the local primary schools as well. Now we are all connected and so are parents across the 350 square miles of our catchment area.

Everyone can see, at the touch of the screen, what is on offer within their own school and across the Learning Community of nine primaries and South Dartmoor, the secondary. Information ranges from clubs to holiday activities, from childcare providers to local authority networks of support. And because it’s electronic, it can be constantly changed so is never out of date.

Best of all it has an amazing metal roller ball that feels like a cool stress ball and allows you to navigate the page without all the jumping and hopping about that my computer mouse does. Now I know why it’s called a mouse.

In the Sports Hall, the new screen projector gives us Odeon quality video clips. A member of staff comments on the total absorption of Years 7-9 as they watch a few minutes of America’s new President speaking to two million of his countrymen live in Washington and to hundreds of millions of others in America and around the world. This isn’t just the technical excellence of the picture- it’s the brilliance of his words, crafted and delivered with attention to rhythm and the occasion. They are watching history in the making and their response reflects the admiration and anticipation of the planet.

Later on Friday evening my all singing mobile phone vibrates with the message that there’s a message. Live from the national Indoor Hockey Finals in Birmingham, Steve Dinnie, Director of Sport, is texting me to give me the very latest match information. Some spectacular wins, some losses. I tap in some text on the screen and send it back to cheer the teams on.

I’ve had to go up to London for work with the British Council and Teacher Development Agency four times this term. With electricity in the carriages, I can keep batteries charged so I’m able to use my computer and send and receive emails via the phone whilst listening to music on the MP3. Who said men can’t multi task? I can get a lot of work done in relative peace, as long as I remember to unplug the wires before I stand up to get a coffee.

It’s all so much easier than the days when everything came on paper and I used to go through my red boxes where everything was filed and kept. I can and now do have email conversations with colleagues around the country and around the world. Given my levels of patience, immediacy and speed really appeal. I never want to lick another stamp. One aim, as a Trust, is to work with Capita Children’s Services to bring the school into the home electronically. So watch out parents. It’s coming to a screen near you.

And as the train pulls into Paddington, I remember that I do need some cash. This time I go to track down a real ATM. as my phone sends a message from school that someone’s left their lights on in the car park. How lovely to be in close and constant contact, and all at the touch of a screen.