Requirements for running DigiSmart
DigiSmart is a not-for-profit organisation and works in partnership with schools. Its programme is provided at no direct cost to schools, but it does require schools to contribute certain resources and there are some indirect costs involved, principally staffing costs.
What you contribute
To participate in the DigiSmart programme, your school needs to provide:
- 12 Year 5 children who will benefit from the programme
- 1 Lead Teacher to attend the training and run each weekly session
- 1 or preferably 2 Support Tutors to work with the children every week
- 1 classroom with data projection facilities where dedicated DigiSmart sessions can be held
- 1 computer for every child, with Internet access, Flash and QuickTime plug-ins and Microsoft PowerPoint or equivalent
- 10 fully staffed weekly DigiSmart Core sessions lasting between 1 and 1.5 hours each, followed by up to 9 recommended Digismart More sessions
The Lead Teacher must be released from school to attend the one-day DigiSmart staff development and training course.
Baseline data and, at the end of the programme, assessment data for all 12 children must be provided, but other administrative requirements are relatively minimal.
In addition, schools must agree to only use the DigiSmart resources with the children in the DigiSmart group and to respect DigiSmart’s intellectual property and copyright.
What DigiSmart contributes
In return, DigiSmart will provide, free of charge:
- One full day’s staff development and training for the Lead Teacher
- A handbook and support materials for all tutors
- Access to the online DigiSmart programme for each child
- A personal workbook for each child
- Ongoing support for tutors
- An assessment pro forma for recording and measuring impact
- Advice on good practice and peer mentoring opportunities
There are further details of the requirements for running DigiSmart in the DigiSmart Participant Agreement, which forms part of the application process.