Policy recommendations on ICT The European e-Learning Forum for Education - ELFE 2nd Conference Copenhagen November 2005

2 Policy recommendations on ICT Do schools need ICT? Risks and opportunities What to do? Special problems Policy actions Summary

3 Do schools need ICT? Many governments want to increase the use of ICT in education Some scepticism among teachers Commercialisation Many strong reasons to use ICT Part of every day life Equality A potential to improve education ICT has pedagogical implications

4 Risks and opportunities Based on the findings from the ELFE-study Small number of schools – but schools with an advanced use of ICT The experience of the ELFE schools may show us the risks and opportunities that schools will meet in the years to come

5 Opportunities More up-dated information More interesting school work Supporting skills to look for and find information Cross-curricular skills Independent work and independent learning Differentiate teaching according to students need

6 Opportunities Team work Student responsibility Preparing presentations Easier to include an international dimension in the teaching

7 Risks Surface instead of depth Copying Distraction and individualised work Less focus on oral skills and students own writing skills Increased workload for both teachers and students

8 What to do: Changes in curriculum and evaluations New subjects? Subjects or cross-curricular approach Independent work Team work and assessment The use of ICT during exams

9 What to do: invest in hardware Schools need to be well-equipped (computers and peripherals) Computers to the teachers A safe working environment

10 What to do: invest in software Appropriate software Quality Curriculum compatibility Important to examine software

11 What to do: invest in maintenance and support Computers that do not work create frustration and computer stress Maintenance often underestimated Technical assistance Pedagogical support

12 What to do: invest in people Teachers – key actors Staff development Technical and pedagogical aspects School management Team work

13 Special problems Copyright issues Ethical questions Teachers availability Access to hardware and software at work and at home Security issues National standards and school autonomy

14 Policy actions: Unions Defend the interests of the members (working conditions, career opportunities, intellectual property) Agreements about professional development Support and encourage discussions

15 Policy actions: school owners / national or regional governments Education, in-service training, professional development Head teachers encourage the use of ICT, but with room for variation Teachers with responsibility for ICT issues, technical support Teachers must have access to ICT Development of software Research

16 Policy actions: European Union Support countries efforts to provide professional development Support countries efforts to provide access to ICT in schools Support information exchange, partnership, networks Support research

17 Summary ICT has a potential to improve education.ICT has a potential to improve education. Review curriculum and assessment.Review curriculum and assessment. Invest in hardware, software and people.Invest in hardware, software and people. Maintenance and supportMaintenance and support New demands on teacher unions, governments and the European Union.New demands on teacher unions, governments and the European Union.

18 Merci Danke Gracias Tack