By Michael Hilkemeijer
As a primary teacher, the ICT teaching and learning strategies that you employ in your lessons should help you to develop ICT capability. This should be your ultimate aim and it is when the use of ICT in the learning activities becomes ‘transparent’ to the students when they are achieving the learning outcomes which you have set for them.
The Issue at Hand
One of the most important ICT teaching strategies that I bestow on my online students, is the fact that this does not necessarily just mean the teaching of ICT techniques/skills. ICT capability is so much more than this and is what makes this capacity building workshop for teachers so important today. It is gaining the understanding, knowledge and expertise that teaching strategies using ICT is NOT about ICT skills teaching and also NOT about simply exposing students to ICT in the classroom. Neither will it develop ICT capability.
The use of ICT in primary education, particularly in Australia, is very important as the ICT Capability Learning Continuum sets the path for teachers to ensure that learning progression. Yet there is a demand for knowledge on evidence based teaching strategies when integrating ICT in the classroom.
The development of ICT capability in learning activities still remains a key issue for many teachers.
Another issue emerging as a result of the ever-increasing pressure on teachers who plan on integrating ICT in the classroom is the rapid rate of technological development. It is a common misconception that the use of any kind of technology in the classroom will add to the development of ICT capability.
This is incorrect.
The application of ICT capability is achieved when teaching and learning with ICT throughout the key learning areas to enhance student learning. However, technology such literacy and numeracy software requires minimal capability on behalf the students and the computer stays in control. The ICT tools used in classroom teaching that we encourage further use of in this workshop allows the students full control and contains the following attributes:
- Recognised as a tool software;
- Can be used in many different applications;
- Intellectually challenges students;
- Content-free or generic;
- The demands and possibilities will depend on whether the main objectives are to learn ICT techniques;
- The level of control and decision-making by students is high.
Gaining further expertise in ICT teaching and learning strategies will boost your own capabilities and you will be able to foster the following ICT teaching strategies that emphasise higher order thinking skills and provide an effective foundation for the challenges of a disjointed secondary curriculum.
Applying Teaching Strategies in Primary School
There are many uses of ICT in primary education and as mentioned earlier, this is mainly due to the pressure that you have as a teacher to incorporate the use of ICT in the classroom. ICT is a complex and powerful tool for learning, but exposure to it will not benefit the students unless supported with teaching strategies for ICT capability development.
Video in Advanced Workshop (Short Preview) - Applying ICT teaching strategies in Primary Science
When it comes to teaching strategies using ICT, the teaching strategies that you need to employ become more complex. Here is why?
- There may be confusion between ICT as a subject, a key skill and as a learning tool – this can lead to a variation in approaches when teaching and learning with ICT.
- Successful for ICT capability comprises of a variety of ICT teaching strategies.
- The components require a variety of conditions for their development, therefore, it is also helpful to identify these components.
- ICT capability is not a once-and-for-all initiative. Progress should be monitored and goals reviewed regularly.
- ICT activities are not isolated from the rest of the curriculum.
The most effective teaching methods for primary teachers are the ones that you will use to support your students in their learning process.
I will give you the expertise you need in order to exploit ICT tools used in classroom teaching such as word processors, paint and drawing programs, coding programs.
You will learn how to apply ICT teaching strategies in the classroom such as the following through real-life, authentic learning experiences:
- Learning how students learn with ICT – provides the groundwork for your understanding and effective employment of ICT teaching strategies when integrating ICT in the classroom.
- Analysing your situation – this involves a level of complexity as the level of ICT capability that you have as a teacher directly impacts your student’s ICT capability development. It also means taking a look at your school’s ICT resource level.
- Make instructional decisions when integrating ICT in the classroom such planning and seeking to develop all components of ICT capability.
- Selecting the appropriate ICT tools used in classroom teaching – significant use of ICT teaching and learning strategies depends on the selection of ICT as tools for learning and ICT capability.
- Supporting and scaffolding ICT capability when integrating ICT in the classroom.
Our capacity building workshop for teachers also supports other ICT teaching and learning strategies such as:
- Putting clarity first to allow for the autonomous selection and use of ICT.
- Personalising instruction through the use of the ICT capability Learning Continuum.
- Incorporating interactive learning.
- Promoting student reflection.
- Cooperation and collaboration in the use of ICT.
Making Instructional Decisions
Learning how children learn with ICT will play a big role in the type of ICT teaching and learning strategies that you employ. While ICT in classrooms might be becoming more popular it is clear through research that simple exposure to ICT is not sufficient in itself to develop student ICT capability and technological literacy.
Ultimately, these ICT teaching strategies should enable you to be able to plan and seek opportunities to develop each component of ICT capability.
I encourage you to join your colleagues in this workshop for teachers when using ICT in primary education. It is essential that in the 21st century classroom that is predominantly digital or ICT-orientated, that you not only choose the right ICT tools for classroom teaching, but support your choices with ICT strategies in the classroom such as the ones that you will learn to employ in meaningful and purposeful learning activities as this develops ICT capability.
ICT Teaching Strategies Free Starter Online Workshop
Throughout this article, you have learned a number of these ICT teaching methods but it is in applying these in your classroom tomorrow that will make an impact on student learning.
Evidence based ICT teaching and learning strategies for when you develop subject-related ICT activities for students in primary school.
These are testimonials from our advanced ICT teaching strategies online course:
“This course has been beneficial. I have learned more about how to integrate ICT in the classroom and how to support the students who struggle in this area. The readings have been particularly useful and it has been great to see other professionals and their use of ICT in the classroom.” - Kerrie
"I have thoroughly enjoyed this course. I have learned the importance of ICT in all schools. This course has enhanced my ideas of classroom practice by giving me confidence that I was on the right track." - Louise
"I will definitely employ these teaching and learning strategies. Great tips." - Andrew
Online workshops for ICT teaching and learning strategies