Topic outline

    • 1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8



    • Welcome to study unit two! In this session we will be introducing simple strategies to use ICT (information and communications technology) to support traditional teaching strategies. ICT can be used to support both your teaching and also provide tools to enhance student learning.  Before we get started consider this question: how is your learner's world changing? Are you, as an educator, responding quick enough to this change? In this unit, we will demonstrate how technology can contribute to teaching, learning, administration and professional development.

    • By the end of this unit, you should be able to use ICT to:

      • add value to your lesson planning
      • make lesson content, more professional
      • provides learners with tools to demonstrate what they have learned and demonstrate new competencies
      • complete educator administrative duties
      • connect with other educators and pursue further professional development




    • How can you use ICT to support your teaching and which devices are recommended? 

      Devices that can be used to incorporate ICT into your classroom are not limited to just the desktop computer or laptop - the following devices are also suitable:

      • Smartphones
      • iPad or tablets
      • Smartboards


      There are a multitude of software applications that can be used to enhance your teaching - here are just a few examples:

      • Use Google Earth (a free resource) to assist in your Geography teaching. Available online here




      • Use a presentation package to display your lesson information to the learners. Your presentation can contain videos and pictures so learners will find it more stimulating than just looking at a blackboard! Using a presentation package in your classroom is covered in ICT Essentials for Teachers unit 9.

       

      • Use a spreadsheet to demonstrate mathematics or accounting problems. Using a spreadsheet in your classroom is covered in ICT Essentials for Teachers unit 14.

        

      • Use the internet to demonstrate to learners how they are able to search for resources. This is covered in ICT Essentials for Teachers unit 10.

       

      • Use a word processor to handout lesson notes. This is covered in ICT Essentials for Teachers unit 8.
       

      Can you think of computer games which can assist in the teaching process? One which comes to mind is SimCity available online here. Review the video below where further ideas are suggested.


    • The combination of digital tools and software/apps is limited only by your imagination. Keep in mind, however, that they must be used in service to the curriculum objectives. Don't get caught in the trap of using technology for technology's sake. They must support, enhance or add value to your teaching and student learning.


    • We understand that the teacher's life is a busy one - what with having to prepare lessons, present lessons, do marking, administration and possibly do extra-curriculum activities, we need to find tools that will make your life easier and save you time!

      There are ICT tools which are readily available which can do just that!

      • Use a spreadsheet to record all the learners' marks (this is covered in ICT Essentials for Teachers unit 14). This will save you so much time by automatically adding marks, working out class averages and symbols
      • Use email or WhatsApp for group communications to learners, parents and/or colleagues. These skills are covered in ICT Essentials for Teachers units 13 and 15 respectively.
      • Use a school information system to capture attendance, create reports, complete registers, fill in disciplinary records etc.
      • Administrative staff will also use financial management systems to keep track of income and expenditure as well as student applications and enrolments.



    •

      There are numerous school administration/management systems available. Many are proprietary and will require a subscriptions but others are open source. Finding one that suits the school budget is essential. Here is a link to a website that rates and compares different software packages designed to streamline school administration and management. 



    • It is very important to continually improve oneself as an educator. Our profession is continually evolving and expanding and we need to ensure we are up-to-date and relevant as educators. Many countries offer continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities. Some of the courses on offer focus on ICT. Besides, learning about ICT, however, technology can be a conduit to help you access all of your professional development goals. So where do you start? 

    • Watch the short video below which stresses the importance of providing ICT training to the educators.


    • A MOOC is the acronym for a 'massive open online course'. These online courses cater for an unlimited number of participants and have open access via the web. We'll explore MOOCs in unit 17 in detail, but below are a few examples of MOOC platforms that you can explore in the meanwhile. Can you find more?

               


    • The Global Education Coalition (GEC) is a group of partners who have committed to providing 'free and open teaching and learning resources' to educators. Some of these GEC partners are listed below. We encourage you to explore the plethora of resources and training courses which they have provided. 

              

                                     


    • In unit 17 we will be covering how to use ICT in your professional development. Quite a bit of time will be spent exploring some of the GEC partners as well as the variety of MOOCs available for free online learning.


    • After having participated in this study unit, let's see how far you have come! For this assignment, we require that you:

      • Design a lesson plan which showcases the characteristics of an innovative learning activity

      The following points should be taken into consideration when designing your lesson plan:

      • The use of ICT tools should be prevalent in this activity
      • The lesson plan can cover a topic / subject material of your choice
      • The lesson plan must be submitted in a digital format (any digital file format is acceptable)
      • Submit your lesson plan in the assignment tool below
      • The lesson can be graded out of 10 marks according to the marking criteria specified below
      • Good luck!