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See also...
Update - May 2008
There is no budget allocation for work to be done on the StIMS Support
Module. What does this mean?
Historically, it is likely that the Support Module 'fell between the cracks' of
the most recent restructuring of the Department. If this is so then, some might
see this as ironic, given that the restructuring was aimed at placing the
'Student at the Centre'.
So when? My next best guess is that this would mean that the Support Module
might become available to schools sometime in 2010. This guess is based on
funding being included in the 2009-10 state budget and development beginning as
soon as funds become available (second half of 2009).
This information changes the timeline for some of the earlier information (see
below). The principles remain valid.
Support Module (update - May 2007)
A draft version of the Functionality Requirements for the the Support Module is being considered by senior officers and reference groups. The reference groups include some very experienced users of the Planner.
And I have been given the opportunity to respond to draft. In doing so, I have attempted to
- clarify some important detail,
- tidy up some elements of the Planner that are no longer appropriate
- and suggested one or two features that would be included in the next version of the Planner (if there was one). That is, there is an opportunity to help ensure that the StIMS Support Module is even better than the current Planner.
Good news!!
The document has drawn very heavily on the concepts, terminology, design and functionality of the Support Planner.
If the general direction of the document is maintained, current users of the Planner will be able to make a very smooth transition when the Support Module becomes available to schools.
Based on our experiences with the Planner, I believe the project is very important to the future success and well-being of current and future students, and those who work with them.
The Planner facilitates collaboration and communication across the school and its community and at the same time places the Student at the Centre.
Systematising this functionality will enable a similar gain at the system level. This represents a potential quantum leap in the capacity of schools to help ensure the success and well-being of students. At last, a system-wide tool and associated practices that has the potential to genuinely place the Student at the Centre!
The Department is taking the needs of current users seriously. The Support Module has been brought forward to an earlier stage of the StIMS implementation. And efforts will be made to migrate data from existing Planners when schools move to StIMS and the Support Module.
The timeline for the release of the Support Module is not clear at this stage, but perhaps mid 2006 would be a 'reasonable guess'.
Functionality and practices
Functionality is an outcome of the integration of devices and practices. The draft document naturally focuses on the device (Support Module). As per the Planner, four key functions of the Support Module should be to
- Flag what there is to know about students
- Manage operational data relating to supporting students
- Provide ready access to data about students
- Facilitate communication between stakeholders
But where are the practices? They exist in your school and other school, and in clusters and Branches. Implementation of the Support Module involves more than getting the device working. It will involve integrating its use with successful practices. All users of the Planner have much to share in this area... almost certainly more than you realize. Please consider your insights and experience.
The big challenge - categories and codes
Getting the Support Module right for all schools will involve many challenges. The biggest challenge will be learning to use the same language.
It is important that all schools use the same language: many of the students who are most in need of support are also the most mobile.
The Support Module will allow critical information to precede these students as they move from school to school. Similarly, when staff move from school to school they may take their skills but they often have to learn a new local dialect before they can become fully effective.
Please contribute to the development of a common set of categories and codes to be shared across the system. It won't be easy: "There is a simple answer to every question and it is usually wrong!!"
But it will be worth the effort. You will get a long term return on the time and effort you contribute to
- helping to develop a shared set of categories and codes
- moving your school from its existing categories and codes to the shared set (when you move to the Support Module)
