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Using ICT to support Teaching and Learning in innovative ways. Clive Bulmer Principal Examiner. Introduction. Consider the ways in which you may or may not have used ICT recently in the classroom. Ask yourself the following questions…… Why did you use ICT? Was it successful?
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Using ICT to support Teaching and Learning in innovative ways Clive Bulmer Principal Examiner
Introduction Consider the ways in which you may or may not have used ICT recently in the classroom. Ask yourself the following questions…… • Why did you use ICT? • Was it successful? 3) Did you try anything ‘innovative’ with your learners?
Introduction To become ‘innovative’ can mean…… • Having to step outside of your comfort area • Learning new ways of doing things • Approaching problems from a learner’s perspective • Being prepared to take risks • Being controversial • Sharing your new ideas and experiences with colleagues To name but a few possible changes to your role as ‘teacher’
Introduction Why should I consider being innovative in my use of ICT? • Increased motivation from your learners • Less behaviour problems in the classroom • Helps institutions to move forward • Introduces new learning concepts to the classroom • Engages reluctant learners • Puts children at the centre of their learning • Can stimulate wide audiences
How might I become ‘innovative’ For too long, many teachers have engaged their learners in the use of ‘generic’ software and hardware in the classroom. Examples of this are ‘Office’, ‘Powerpoint’, ‘Publisher’ and similar types of programs. All of these are fine programs in their own right but none really push the barriers of learning or fully allow learners to engage fully and express themselves. Some teachers believe that by using a webcam, the Internet or a digital camera is ‘innovative’ and for some countries this may well be true. However, let us look at some more recent examples….
Show me some new ideas! What we will do over the next 45 minutes is to examine some of the exciting ways in which ICT can now be used in the classroom to motivate all kinds of learners. None of these ideas involve any huge cost to institutions. Indeed, much of the hardware and software that you will see in these examples costs very little yet their adaptability can be quite staggering. The key issue is to keep an open mind and be prepared to experiment. If it does not work for your group of learners then be prepared to try something else that is ‘new’.
Show me some new ideas! Over the last five years, working with over 100 schools, many local authorities and different groups of learners ranging from children with severe learning difficulties to those designated as gifted and talented, the following ‘ideas’ are ones that have had the greatest of success… 1) Using digital media across the curriculum 2) Using hardware that stimulates group activities 3) Adapting new software in fun and exciting ways 4) Creating exciting and vibrant learning environments 5) Sharing ideas and experiences with colleagues world-wide 6) Promoting the professional development of teachers
Using digital video across the curriculum Let us now have a look at some video clips that have been produced by a range of people across a number of curriculum areas. Some of the clips have been produced by professionals to support national initiatives Some of these clips have been produced using a product known as a ‘Digital Blue Digital Video Creator’. This product comes with very versatile video editing software that includes many special effects. It will allow real video or stop / start animation to be recorded and costs around $120 US for the latest version.
Using digital video across the curriculum www.digitalblue.org.uk
Using digital video across the curriculum Using mobile phone video with After Effects Frame Animation
Using digital video across the curriculum The Piano (Literacy)
Using hardware that stimulates group activities We have just seen some of the group work that can be achieved using ‘digital movie creator’ and ‘after effects’. The following short clips were all produced using a piece of chroma material, a standard video camera and video editing software such as Unlead Video 9 or Adobe Premiere. A reversible 10 x 12 ft piece of chroma screen can be purchased for around $300
A teacher’s experience…… “Today my pupils meandered along the romantic streets of Paris before visiting the Eiffel Tower; well, they deserve a treat after last week's trip to the oppressive, distinctly child-unfriendly Victorian era and the previous week's turmoil aboard the RMS Titanic - all this trauma and SATs as well. It's tough being a kid these days. Let me explain. My new favourite toy is our Chroma Key screen. The screen - a simple, fairly inexpensive piece of green cloth - has transformed the way that my pupils and I approach education. Using it, some standard video-editing software and a camcorder we can make films, documentaries, soap operas, news reports or pop videos from anywhere in the world or beyond. Here's how it works - we film the pupils performing in front of the green screen and then video editing software "keys out" (or makes transparent) any green in the footage within the shot. The transparent areas are then replaced by other video footage or photographs of our choice”.
Using hardware that stimulates group activities World War 2 The Victorians
Using hardware that stimulates group activities Working with MLD children Dealing with school issues
Using hardware that stimulates group activities You might also like to consider these hardware items that have also been very successful with groups of learners……. Beebots!
Using hardware that stimulates group activities Digital Blue cameras, microscopes and Presentation Software
Adapting new software in fun and exciting ways A search on the Internet will reveal many new software titles, many of which are subject specific. The best titles however are those that can be used right across the curriculum with a little imagination! Here are some examples: (see www.taglearning.com) Kar2ouche Kidspiration Crazy Talk Comic Life Kahootz
Adapting new software in fun and exciting ways Using ‘Crazy Talk’ to motivate children to learn a foreign language
Adapting new software in fun and exciting ways Comic Life PhotoShop
Creating exciting and vibrant learning environments Many schools in the UK are presently undergoing a transformational programme known as ‘Building Schools for the Future’ Many educators accept that it is not good enough simply to ‘modernise’ education, for it to have any real impact upon teaching and learning then schools need to be transformed. Over the last five years, innovative buildings known as ‘City Learning Centres’ have emerged across different areas of the country. These have allowed local authorities to help plan and realise their vision for education over the next 25 years and beyond.
Creating exciting and vibrant learning environments To complete an ‘approach to innovation’, then schools should begin to consider how to plan and create exciting new learning environments that take learners away from the dull ‘four walls scenario’ of fifty years ago and more!
Sharing ideas and experiences with colleagues world-wide Collaboration between schools and the sharing of good practice is central to transforming education. By sharing their wealth of knowledge and experience of new technologies, successful and innovative schools can help to embed ICT in all other schools. This can be achieved by encouraging teachers in a school to register their institution with an organisation such as The ICT Register. The ICT Register is a unique online directory of cutting edge ICT practice in primary, secondary and special needs education. The Register provides a means by which these schools can offer their knowledge and expertise to other schools seeking to build eConfidence. Schools listed on the Register author and update their own entries, so the website captures the very latest practice.
Sharing ideas and experiences with colleagues world-wide The ICT Register - www.ict-register.net - is an online resource which enables schools to learn from each others' innovative use of technology. Over the past two years hundreds of schools have used it to contact, learn from and collaborate with the leading users of ICT in England. The Register is now looking for schools from across the globe to join the initiative.
Sharing ideas and experiences with colleagues world-wide iNet (International Networking for Educational Transformation) is another organisation that works with schools and agencies to transform education through the sharing of best practice and innovation. iNet offers a range of online and face-to-face support - including workshops, study tours, conferences, online forums, publications - to make this possible. www.ssat-inet.net Over 5,000 member schools in nearly 40 countries are members of iNet, including most secondary schools in England. iNet has also developed close links with partner organisations and academics in a number of countries.
Sharing ideas and experiences with colleagues world-wide In addition to sharing ideas with colleagues through various forms of communication globally, there are also hundreds of resources available through the Internet or via government agencies that have been created to support teachers with whole school initiatives such as using ICT to transform teaching and learning.
Promoting the professional development of teachers Being able to move a school forward by being innovative is a tremendous feeling - not only for the principal movers but also for the children and the school’s community. The next logical stage is for a school to be recognised and accredited for its leading work in using ICT to transform teaching and learning. Whilst schools can submit portfolios of evidence to accredited bodies such as Becta in the UK, there is nothing to prevent teachers furthering their own professional development and qualifications by carrying out action research in the classroom and thus gaining international accreditation from organisations such as CIE.
Promoting the professional development of teachers The Cambridge International Diploma in Teaching with ICT is a practice-based qualification for the continuing professional development of practicing teachers and trainers. It is for everyone who needs to develop knowledge, understanding and skills in using ICT to support and improve teaching and learning. In today’s world of flexible and lifelong learning, all teachers are finding that ICT is becoming pivotal to the teaching and learning process. www.cie.org.uk
Promoting the professional development of teachers Cambridge have designed the Diploma on the basis of international best practices. The Diploma syllabus and assignments provide a framework through which we can reliably assess candidates in any country. This allows candidates to demonstrate, in the context in which they work, that they can meet the performance standards described in the syllabus. These standards are based on many of the National Educational Technology Standards set out by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) and UNESCO ICT Competency Framework for Teachers.
Promoting the professional development of teachers Cambridge have designed the Diploma to reflect best practices, and naturally occurring teaching activities (i.e. real experience) will generate much of the assignment evidence presented by candidates. The Diploma presents rich opportunities to research new ideas, innovation and new technologies, and to investigate how to put them into practice in the learning environment to support and improve teaching and learning. Candidates can develop fresh teaching-learning approaches using ICT, reflect on them and collaborate with peers in an existing professional work environment.
Conclusion - a few thoughts… Remember that innovation is only limited by a person’s imagination. We all have the power of change at our disposal. Being prepared to take exciting risks, try out new ideas and share experiences with colleagues across a world-wide stage can help to take us all to shape the future of learning in the classroom - but then again, why do we actually need classrooms in a 21st Century digital world?
