This document provides information about a basic education school located in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. It has 720 students from ages 12-15 organized into three cycles (grades). The school aims to develop students' language, reading, writing, math, science, and social skills through each cycle. It has three computer labs and a wireless lab for students to use. The director and teachers hope to expand a project using ICT (information and communication technology) to promote innovative teaching methods and independent learning to help students succeed, especially those from economically weak families.

1. ICT as an effective tool for Independent Learning Introducing our School As you know, PORTUGAL is a country in south-western Iberia, “at the end” of Europe.

2. Madeira and the Azores are portuguese islands; they are autonomous regions.

3. MADEIRA has regional political and administrative autonomy, with its own governmental bodies; the State retains full sovereign rights and it is represented in the region by a Minister of the Republic. It has a Regional Legislative Assembly and a Regional Government.

4. The capital - Funchal PORTUGAL Madeira Harbour

5. Our school is in Funchal , in a place called Santo António. Harbour

7. It’s a basic education school . (Basic education is universal, compulsory and free, with a duration of nine years.) Take a look of our site .

8. ESCOLA BÁSICA DE SANTO ANTÓNIO BASIC EDUCATION 102 TEACHERS 720 STUDENTS 12 - 15 7th, 8th, 9th 3rd CYCLE 10, 11 5th, 6th 2nd CYCLE 6 - 9 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th 1st CYCLE AGE SCHOOL YEAR CYCLES

9. The specific aims for the 1st cycle are to develop spoken language, to start and gradually develop reading and writing, basic arithmetical notions and calculations, the physical and social environment, art, drama, music and movement.

10. The specific aims for the 2nd cycle are education in the humanities and arts, physical education and sports, science and technology, moral and civic education, preparing students to assimilate and critically interpret information, so as to allow them to acquire working methods and tools, and the knowledge needed to continue their education.

11. The specific aims for the 3rd cycle are to acquire a systematic grasp of modern culture in all its different aspects, including the humanities, literature, arts, physical education and sports, science and technology. All this will form later a good basis either for pupils looking for employment or continuing their education. They also have academic and career counselling to help them in their choice to future studies or employment.

12. SCHOOL MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION SCHOOL ASSEMBLY DIRECTION ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL PEDAGOGICAL COUNCIL • Director • President of Pedagogical Council • 6 Teachers • Not-Educational Staff Representative • Parents Representative • 2 Local Authority Representatives • Director • 2 Assistants • (1 Advisor) • Director • 1 Assistant • Leader of Administrative Services • President of Pedag. Council • Director • Coordinators of Curricular Departments • Cycle Coordinators • Psychologist • Representative Educational Supports

14. In our school, in the 1st Cycle , children begin to learn English (just the basis). All the children in 2nd Cycle choose English as foreign language, not French. In the 3rd Cycle they learn English and French . Languages in School

15. In our school we have 3 ICT labs connected to the Internet and also a Wireless Lab (15 portable pc s ) that can be used in the classrooms when the teachers ask for it in advance. ICT equipment in School

17. This project is a new challenge to our school and a good way to motivate both the students and my colleagues to reach the same objectives: being innovative in class methods , specially those proposed with the use of ICT, in order to obtain the students success .

18. Since the great majority of our students come from economically weak families, an important role of the school is to offer them the same opportunities also in this field.

19. And because there is a great need of Assisted Study Classes in our school, I think this project – based on Independent Learning – will be of great help for a lot of our students.

20. I teach Portuguese Language to the 2nd Cycle and I was also the Computers Club teacher for some time, so I’m one of the ICT interested teachers in our school. We aren´t yet many, but with this project we’ll also try to improve this state of things.

21. This year I have two 6th classes (A and C) and I teach them Portuguese Language , Study Methods and Project .

22. I’ve published a site - Netescolinha - where I put online Portuguese Language interactive exercises made with Hot Potatoes

23. I’ve been experiencing for some time several kinds of independent learning activities with my classes, through this site. They like it and work there with interest and motivation. I’ve also created – last year - a Class Blog with my 6thA and this year I’ll begin a partnership in a School Forum with my other class, 6thC.

24. Both the Class Blog and the School Forum partnership are also, in a certain way, types of independent learning practices, due to the kinds of tasks the students are asked to perform there.

25. So… We hope we’ll do a good job together!