ICT in middle school
New article name is ICT in the South Australian Middle School classroom an interview with Mr Stam from Mountain College:
PART 1 - Inquiry
1. What does it mean to be a quality ICT or Technology specialist in schools? (i.e. explain and describe the role).
Up to date with technology that provides a medium for presenting lessons and to be able to use the technology effectively. • Use of software • Video representation of DNA • Use of hardware • Videos blogging • Digital media & editing • Powerpoint presentation • Video and Photo manipulation
2. Introduce and describe a good example of a high quality ICT / Teacher (Who are they? Where are they? What do they teach? How does learning theory connect with their practice? What is a typical week? Etc). • The digital and IT skills are incorporated into the teaching • Physics • Chemistry • Integrate other topics • Research/ storing media files planning lessons • Often the learning and practice connects through visual media
3. What are some of the major things that beginning teachers should know and be able to do as an ICT /Technology specialist? (E.g. identification of curriculum links, knowledge and skills using specific software and tools, and valuable resources etc). • Availability of the technology and resources in the classroom • Often the technology is available in the computer labs but not everywhere • Incorporate/ link curriculum into lessons • Try to be extra informed/ up to date with the content
4. What are some of the major challenges and tensions related to this role? • Availability of technology as it is constantly upgrading • Software is not always current • Budget constraints some schools still run slow connections to servers • Old software • Slow log on takes valuable free time for teachers • Behaviour management issues begin when computers and technology are slow • There is not a huge difference between versions of software • Money spent on laptops but no money left over for repairs (how is the money spent) • Logistics can be a problem with computers on wheels i.e. laptops
5. What are some of the strategies that may be useful to address these challenges? • Be able use the technology to the best of your ability • Have a double lesson to avoid the problems of logistics
6. What are some of the rewarding aspects of the role? • Successful lessons • Engaged students • Visual audio word processed • Understanding material and effective learning
7. How has the role changed in recent years, what changes are on the horizon and what are the implications for ICT / Technology teachers? (I.e. impact of Australian Curriculum and familiarity with the use of laptops for students as part of the Digital Education Revolution). • Affordability/ cheaper technology • More engagement • Visual representation, it just doesn’t work with a white/ chalk board
8. What are at least two additional questions that you would like to investigate?*
- You will need to include relevant and well considered inquiry questions and some context about how these answers will improve your readiness as an ICT/Technology teacher. Your additional questions may relate to the identification of support that is available, how to differentiate the curriculum, valuable teaching approaches or questions related to developing knowledge about how to teach a specific area of the curriculum.
• Value for money for impressive results and useful tools for ICT teachers and students
How do you feel about the proposed the government incentive ? Why?
1 laptop/ student can schools afford this ? For example Mt Carmel college will cost 600 000 plus software licensing and networking is this possible I don t think so. Where is the compromise. E.g. air-conditioning, security and other. More potential lies within computing in schools What do you consider as a disadvantage of having ICT in the classroom?
A problem is inappropriate use and ineffective use by the students and teachers. If used effectively computers can be the ultimate teaching tool.
Thankyou for your time Mr Stam
References
http://sites.google.com/site/funwitheducation4700/
External links
http://sites.google.com/site/funwitheducation4700/
ICT, Education, Teaching