Planning for Classroom Use of ICT

Where to start? Choose an area of your teaching which is neither brilliant nor terrible Sometimes learners only achieve 70% of the full learning objectives in a lesson/module The “7 out of 10” lesson It all starts with teaching & learning, not technology

When to use ICT? Arithmetic9 Algebra3 Geometry7 Decimals8 Where to start? Example: A Maths teacher evaluates the quality and effectiveness of his own teaching. He gives himself a score out of 10 for each component of the Maths curriculum, as shown in the table. The lesson in which he scores 9/10 is already excellent, so why change it? The 3/10 lesson is so bad it will need more than ICT to rectify the problems. So the teacher decides to use ICT in the 7/10 lesson, with the realistic aim and clear focus of improving it to a 9/10 lesson!

Identifying the weakness in the teaching/learning process Teacher input Am I explaining/demonstrating the new knowledge/skills clearly in a way which encourages learners to pay attention? How can I make my explanation/demonstration clearer and more interesting, engaging and motivating? Pupil process Are learners spending sufficient time working to master the new knowledge/skills? How can I make this process more engaging, longer, deeper and richer? Teacher assessment Am I (and are my learners) clearly aware of what the learning objectives are? How can I improve my assessment techniques to ensure that I really do check that learners have mastered what I set out to teach them?

Practicalities So far, you have identified a sub-topic within your subject area and a part of the teaching/learning process which you would like to improve. eg. Geometry, teacher presentation Fractions, learner activity Algebra, assessment Now consider the following: Be clear: is it the teacher or the learners who you want to use ICT? (focus) What proportion of all the time you spend on this sub-topic will be taken up by a single ICT-based activity? (keep a sense of proportion) What skills/software do you have to help you? (tools) What access to computers do you have? How many machines? For how much time? How good are the computers? (limitations)

Ideas Have you previously seen any examples of ICT being used to support teaching & learning in the way which you have identified as your target area? During e-VOLUTION Module 2? Anywhere else? Can your ICT skills support a complex task or should you work within more basic parameters?

The start of a process… Remember that this is the start of a long process It will take time to achieve your goals Your skills will improve through practice Do not expect perfection at the start Learn from your mistakes Celebrate your successes!