MANAGING ICT
Technological advances
Curriculum
for Excellence
is gaining
momentum, and
is due to be integrated in
all classrooms by 2010.
Daniel Clarke explores
how technology is being
Schools are now using ICT in the classroom in a podcasts, blogs and digital cameras as learning tools, Not only does this give teachers another route to
variety of ways. However often this is dependent upon boosting their understanding of the opportunities that getting students involved with technology, but it also
used across the curriculum
the facilities available to them and the teachers being technology holds, not only at home but also in the promotes student contribution to the school community,
on board. classroom. an important principle of the Curriculum for Excellence.
They are, for example, producing podcasts in PE These website sections often require a log-in that
to empower students and
Out with the old, in with the new
lessons, broadcasting the latest sponsored swim, or can be made available to parents, providing them with
It’s showtime
If used successfully, ICT can add value and quality to creating a French radio station in modern foreign insight in to school life. Recent research by Becta, the
create new avenues of
teaching and learning. Its hands-on interactive nature language lessons. government’s technology agency, reveals that 82 per
provides students with a learning experience that can These sort of tasks promote reading and writing cent of parents feel that they are left in the dark when it
teaching
engage even the most reluctant learner through enhanced skills through the creation of the script, while speaking comes to their child’s education. Schools are positively
enjoyment, interest and sense of achievement. skills are practiced through the recording of the working towards improving parental engagement,
However, it is commonly found in many schools podcast. Blogs are also popular. They allow students while at the same time promoting student involvement,
that teachers of an older generation are reluctant to to consolidate and reflect on their learning by writing teamwork and a whole school development process.
URRICULUM FOR Excellence move away from their comfort zone and trial new a personal narration about what they have been taught, Schools that are using their website to encourage
C
states: “In order to participate fully methods of teaching and communicating with their or for the particularly creative, a video camera may be pupil involvement and the creative use of ICT are
in modern day life, young people class. By demonstrating confidence with ICT, and used to create a video-blog of a trip. With technology, not only giving themselves a better website, but also
should be skilled and knowledgeable undergoing training, teachers can maximise the impact teachers are able to disguise learning by using their empowering the student voice and offering them a sense
users of technologies and be ready that ICT has on their students’ motivation. imagination and having fun. of responsibility. At the same time, these schools can
to embrace further developments in Schools should be encouraging teachers to make the demonstrate the numerous ways in which technology
the future.” most of the technology that surrounds us, and helping
The student voice
can be used both inside and outside the classroom.
As a result, ICT is now being integrated throughout them to realise that by presenting students in class Some schools are so keen to get their children working Ultimately, by integrating technology into the
the curriculum, and plays a greater role in teaching and with the same media they use in their spare time, they with technology, creatively, that they are thinking curriculum, students are being offered engaging and
learning than ever before. With technology surrounding are more likely to approach their studying and school outside the box and finding new opportunities to make motivating methods of learning that will equip them with
our lives, schools are increasingly aware of how life positively. Not only that, but schools should be this happen. transferable skills to succeed outside the classroom. There
important it is to keep up-to-speed with technology, educating teachers on the numerous benefits that can be Many school websites are now offering a facility for are many potential teaching tools for teachers to capitalise
and ensure that students are fully equipped with the reaped through digital learning and communication. students to upload blogs, podcasts and digital photos on, and a school website is just one example. SecEd
transferable skills that are necessary for a digital “Digital natives”, as students are now commonly and videos – all created in lesson time – to the school’s
world. known, are using a number of technologies such as website. • Daniel Clarke is director of SchoolWebsite.co.uk
Heinemann at
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Festival
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