Enhancing the teaching and learning of History and Geography through ICT: A Mauritian experience Virtual Centre for Innovative learning Technologies, University of Mauritius Presented by Dorothy Cooshna Naik A research project by the VCILT- University of Mauritius Enhancing the teaching and learning of History and Geography through ICT: A Mauritian experience

Enhancing the teaching and learning of History and Geography through ICT: A Mauritian experience Virtual Centre for Innovative learning Technologies, University of Mauritius Introduction The Project Rationale Current teaching practice Aims & Objectives Overview of the multimedia environment Multimedia considerations Pedagogical concepts applied Ongoing testing & evaluation Recommendations & conclusions PLAN

Enhancing the teaching and learning of History and Geography through ICT: A Mauritian experience Virtual Centre for Innovative learning Technologies, University of Mauritius The Virtual Centre for Innovative Learning Technologies (VCILT) has developed an interactive multimedia pedagogical support (CD-ROM) to be used in standards 4 and 5 (students aged 8-10) of our primary schools. RESEARCH PROJECT Funded and supported by the Mauritius Research Council (MRC) and developed by the VCILT In collaboration with : >Mauritius Examinations Syndicate (MES). >Ministry of Education, Mauritius Institute of Education (MIE), >The Mauritius College of the Air (MCA) and the support of > The Ministry of Education and Scientific Research (MoES)

Enhancing the teaching and learning of History and Geography through ICT: A Mauritian experience Virtual Centre for Innovative learning Technologies, University of Mauritius Project Started in July 2003 and was completed in June DEVELOPMENT TEAM Project Coordinators History and Geography consultants Museum consultant Graphic Designers/Illustrators Web and Multimedia Developers Audio and video specialist

Enhancing the teaching and learning of History and Geography through ICT: A Mauritian experience Virtual Centre for Innovative learning Technologies, University of Mauritius Assessment of situation of history and geography teaching Acessibility to sites and museums (arrangements) Reluctance to take pupils on some site visits (historical sites) Constraints of time and funds for visits, activities, books, etc. Reluctance of teachers to integrate such visits in their work plan Teachers’ concern about introduction of new learning and teaching strategies in history and geography. Availability of stimulating text books and materials

Enhancing the teaching and learning of History and Geography through ICT: A Mauritian experience Virtual Centre for Innovative learning Technologies, University of Mauritius - Based on existing History and Geography curriculum for standards 4-5. A selection of topics has been addressed. -Not intended to replace the prescribed textbook. To be used as a teaching aid and a reinforcement/consolidation tool. AIMS & OBJECTIVES -Tries to Cater for different types of learners (auditory, kinesthetic, visual). Minimize the use of content and favours ‘visual and practical’ History and Geography. -Enhancing existing contents by interactivity (audio, animations, etc).

Enhancing the teaching and learning of History and Geography through ICT: A Mauritian experience Virtual Centre for Innovative learning Technologies, University of Mauritius - More learner centered rather than teacher oriented. - Aim to provide high quality material to children. - Encourages transdiciplinary learning - Learning ICT through History and Geography, literature, etc AIMS & OBJECTIVES

Enhancing the teaching and learning of History and Geography through ICT: A Mauritian experience Virtual Centre for Innovative learning Technologies, University of Mauritius The CD would be an exciting learning experience for the primary school teachers as well as for the pupil. Mauritian History and Geography to be presented in a non-insular way as part of regional and world history and geography. Emphasis on ‘doing history and geography’, i.e., trying the tools and methods of historians and geographers. Make History and Geography come alive. AIMS & OBJECTIVES

Enhancing the teaching and learning of History and Geography through ICT: A Mauritian experience Virtual Centre for Innovative learning Technologies, University of Mauritius CONTENTS & FEATURES OF THE INTERACTIVE CD Mauritian context – characters chosen dodo and tortoise which are familiar to the Mauritian child Interactive activities based on a selection of topics from the curriculum Integrated internet links for further sources of information such as image database (restricted), external links, hypertext, etc. Interactive Activities, Library Corner providing textual and visual reference material on the topics, Teacher’s corner, Simulations, Picture Gallery, External links

Enhancing the teaching and learning of History and Geography through ICT: A Mauritian experience Virtual Centre for Innovative learning Technologies, University of Mauritius MULTIMEDIA DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS User friendly interface with bright stimulating and tropical colours, simple intuitive icons, visual motivational cues. Colours used to reflect a playful mood Motivational factors that are crucial to any effective learning. User friendly interface with bright stimulating and tropical colours, simple intuitive icons, visual motivational cues. For narration techniques/long text, the learner controls how he or she receives the information. Next and back buttons are given to allow the student to read at his or her pace. Feedback : visual and auditory.

Enhancing the teaching and learning of History and Geography through ICT: A Mauritian experience Virtual Centre for Innovative learning Technologies, University of Mauritius CURRICULAR STRATEGY IN THE CD percolation strategy use is made of the work of historians and approaches of historians permeate to classroom enhancement strategy involving current history teaching and the use of multimedia to enhance it.

Enhancing the teaching and learning of History and Geography through ICT: A Mauritian experience Virtual Centre for Innovative learning Technologies, University of Mauritius History & geography pedagogical concepts Cause and Consequence

Enhancing the teaching and learning of History and Geography through ICT: A Mauritian experience Virtual Centre for Innovative learning Technologies, University of Mauritius PEDAGOGICAL CONCEPTS Continuity and Change

Enhancing the teaching and learning of History and Geography through ICT: A Mauritian experience Virtual Centre for Innovative learning Technologies, University of Mauritius PEDAGOGICAL CONCEPTS Chronology, Evidence, Situation

Enhancing the teaching and learning of History and Geography through ICT: A Mauritian experience Virtual Centre for Innovative learning Technologies, University of Mauritius PEDAGOGICAL CONCEPTS Places, Location,Scale

Enhancing the teaching and learning of History and Geography through ICT: A Mauritian experience Virtual Centre for Innovative learning Technologies, University of Mauritius Learning approaches Discovery Learning: An example of ‘discovery learning’ on the CD is the activity on archaeology whereby the learner discovers information gradually by interacting with the interface.

Enhancing the teaching and learning of History and Geography through ICT: A Mauritian experience Virtual Centre for Innovative learning Technologies, University of Mauritius Learning by association: the activity on ‘Temperature’ whereby the student has to make the relationship between temperature and the thermometer

Enhancing the teaching and learning of History and Geography through ICT: A Mauritian experience Virtual Centre for Innovative learning Technologies, University of Mauritius Learning by understanding: the activity on ‘cardinal points’ where the student is presented with a series of questions to complete successfully the task.

Enhancing the teaching and learning of History and Geography through ICT: A Mauritian experience Virtual Centre for Innovative learning Technologies, University of Mauritius Multidisciplinary approach Skills acquired: Reading, listening, understanding, observation, recording, etc Computer skills Using the mouse, clicking, drag and drop, opening & closing windows, typing, etc.

Enhancing the teaching and learning of History and Geography through ICT: A Mauritian experience Virtual Centre for Innovative learning Technologies, University of Mauritius MILESTONE TESTING Pupils of Soopaya Soobiah Government School (std 4-5) Pupils of Step Ahead Primary School (Std 4-5) FEEDBACK Difficulties/problems encountered by pupils were taken into consideration throughout the development of the CD: Different levels of reading skills – Audio was included and reading and listening were encouraged. Different level of Computer Proficiency– A ‘basic skill’ section on using the computer was included. Simplified instructions provided More visual feedback provided such as ‘Well done’ or ‘Try again’

Enhancing the teaching and learning of History and Geography through ICT: A Mauritian experience Virtual Centre for Innovative learning Technologies, University of Mauritius FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS To address additional topics with more complex activities To have training sessions for the teachers to assist and guide them how to use this educational aid as effectively and creatively as possible. Implementation of the CD in our primary schools.Close monitoring and evaluation. Measure the effectiveness of the integration of multimedia in other subjects such as science, etc.

Enhancing the teaching and learning of History and Geography through ICT: A Mauritian experience Virtual Centre for Innovative learning Technologies, University of Mauritius ACKNOWLEGEMENTS Ministry of Education and Scientific Research Mauritius Research Council (MRC) Mauritius Examinations Syndicate (MES) Mauritius Institute of Education ( MIE) Mauritius College of the Air Development Staff of VCILT, University of Mauritius School teachers and pupils National Museums Council Mauritius Meteorological Services