Melanies World ICT Page 5
ICT TRAINING FOR TEACHERS
PLATINUM TRAINING
Putting together a training module
Expected outcomes need to be addressed.
ICT should be used efficiently.
It is not about the ICT capabilities of the students.
Consideration must be given to the LEARNING FRAMEWORK :
Make sure that learning happens
Think about exactly what you are going to do first.
Be prepared . . . . well prepared.
Consider these four areas when planning a training event :
PREPARE what in advance ?
(Pre-training session activities). Could be unfamiliar territory / equipment / people.
Ensure VARIETY, how ?
Vary experiences that people may have.
Deal with DIFFERENTIATION.
The different needs of different people.
ATMOSPHERE / RELATIONSHIPS ~ how to deal with different environments.
How will you deal with an environment to make it more conducive to learning ? What needs to be in place before you start ?
B A S I S
| Belonging | Labels / making people feel special / making the start very important ~ even before the session begins. |
| Aspirations | Motivate the learners so that they aspire to be better at what they do. You and they need to move forward. |
| Safety | There must be some no-fail situations. Have an initial success, followed by praise, and thanks always works wonders. |
| Identity | Your or their position or status is not important. All must work together as fellow professionals. |
| Success | This is most important. (No fail tasks will ensure success). |
Professional development WILL be linked to ICT capabilities.
Bronze Teachers
Basic skills : WP, DTP, Excel and getting on the Net.
These teachers do not actually use ICT in the classroom.
Use of ICT is limited to preparing items for lessons.
Many teachers think they are Bronze because they are uncomfortable with ICT.
Lots of staff think they fall into this category, but they really are Silver.
The Bronze Module is made up of 3 hours of taught time, plus 7 hours of tutorials / advice sessions/ homework.
At the end of the module a "Certificate of Completion" is gained, and then the idea is to move onto the next level.
Silver Teachers
This is much more specific.
These teachers use ICT in the classroom, possibly as a whole class activity.
Science : palm-top projection and cooling curve ~ pupils watch it happen.
Mathematics : use of spreadsheets and formulae / graphing programs / geometry software for transformatiom work.
Languages : teachers make use of interactive whiteboards, Internet access and VideoConferencing ~ to interact with a European School.
All subjects : use of the Internet for revision purposes.
Gold Teachers
These teachers are extending their pupils' learning, and can make assessments of their learning through the use of ICT.
Teachers make sure that ICT does not mask their learning.
There must be ongoing EVALUATION so that the students' use of ICT improves their learning.
(There is a suggestion that Gold accreditation may be linked to proper certification ~ MAPS).
A possible outline of a 'Pre-Bronzed Teacher'
These teachers have limited abilities with WP; many would produce a handwritten worksheet, or ask a secretary to type it out for them.
They know of the Internet, but are not confident / unwilling to explore its potential.
They have little or no desire to use ICT.
They use a paper based closed enquiry.
Being afraid, or their fear of using ICT, could result in them believing that they might wreck or damage the equipment.
An outline of a 'Post-Bronzed Teacher'
The professional outcomes should include the ability to handle most of the Five Statements in the needs analysis.
Logon to the Internet.
Ability to access the Internet to gain information for own lesson preparation.
Appreciation of the possibilities of using ICT and willingness to discuss advantages and disadvantages.
Produce and amend worksheets.
Use a spreadsheet to record marks to assist with record-keeping.
The student outcomes should be that students expect their teacher to become more professional.
The teacher is seen to be more confident. (But this is not assessable).
Good Practice in Schools
What is good practice ?
Is there a whole school ICT Development Plan ?
To use NOF the school must have a good Development Plan ~ outlining the use of NGfL.
The Government has targets, and the LEA must deliver them.
Schools must get connected to the Grid.
Teachers and pupils need to be seen to be using email, being confident and competent in the use of ICT.
School administration being electronically based.
Aiming to meet NGfL targets ?
Have all schools presented their plans ?
Coverage of NC ICT ?
Is this fully implemented ?
Are schools aware of all the aspects ?
Using ICT ?
Not just "pupils on computers".
Teachers' administration burden can be reduced (ie record keeping).
Teachers have more resources for teaching.
Teachers teaching with ICT.
Pupils learning by using ICT.
For example, if the Head says that teachers must use planning or reporting on Word-produced templates, then ICT good practice within a school has greatly increased.
Trainers have a big influence on the School Development Plan.
Equipment can be built into the Plan.
BE RESPONSIBLE ! !
Back to ICT Training for Teachers
© Melanie Rawlings. May 2000.
Produced by Melanie Rawlings for Humphry Davy School
Approved Platinum Trainer
SWIFT/GWIST NOF ICT Training Consortium
Partnership for the Professional Development of Teachers