Using Computers in Teaching Basic and Key Skills

1. Nick Jeans NLN Subject Mentor in Key and Basic Skills Basic Skills Tutor at Sheffield College Using Computers in Teaching Basic and Key Skills

2. Introduction • I want to show examples of IT-based materials (including NLN’s) which can be used in teaching Key and Basic Skills. • I am a Basic and Key Skills teacher at the Sheffield College, using computers in my teaching more and more. • NOT an IT expert, just a teacher who uses it, because it helps me teach more effectively.

3. Topics of Discussion • What are the advantages of having ILT materials at your disposal? • 1. for the student • 2. for the teacher.

4. 1. For the student: • Allows students to feel more in control of their own learning, able to proceed at their own pace, not the pace of the rest of the class. Student can go back through a topic if he/she still feels unsure about it. • Lets students feel more independent, less reliant on the tutor. Eg: Texthelp for very basic readers.

5. For Student: • Can help with recording and organising work, using folders. • Produces satisfyingly neat work – more motivating. Easier to correct mistakes, and rearrange writing – words, phrases, sentences and paragraphs.

6. For Student: • Gets away from paper-based learning, which some students may associate with failure at school. Feels different from ‘normal’ class learning. • Multi-layered, learning the topic, but also IT skills at the same time.

7. For Student: • Using interesting sound and images, ILT can improve student attention. Spoken feedback more motivating. • Can cater for different learning styles – visual, intrapersonal, etc

8. For Student: • Younger students see it as more ‘sexy’. Often see it as fun, not work. • Older students feel it is introducing them to a skill they ought to be more aware of. • Helps with revision, since student can access resources when he/she (not the tutor) is ready for them.

9. For Student: • NLN materials accessible to students with dyslexia (change screen colour), visually impaired / poor readers (script read out), autistic (visual learning style)

10. 2. For teacher: • Can make it easier to teach students of differing levels and interests, since programs can give feedback, leaving teacher free to deal with other students. • Can be an easier form of storage for teaching materials - worksheets, handouts etc.

11. For teacher: • Easier to share ideas and materials with other teachers (eg Intranet Basic Skills folder, Weblinks, Basic Skills Online Resource: www.sy-skills.net , RSC-YH Basic Skills discussion list: Basicskills-ILT@jiscmail.ac.uk NLN Tutor WebBoard: http://sodium.sheffcol.ac.uk:8080/~nlntutor )

12. How can you realistically use ILT? • What IT resources do you have in the classroom? • Connected to Internet / Intranet? • Laptops available to take to the classroom? • How easy is it to use Library or Learning Centre?

13. Next Steps • Next Steps • Take one step at a time. • Having succeeded with an “easy” use of IT, you will feel more motivated to try more “advanced” stuff. • If using ILT won’t improve the lesson, don’t use IT!