Standard 2.6 - Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Proficient Use effective teaching strategies to integrate ICT into learning and teaching programs to make selected content relevant and meaningful.
Throughout my unit plans I try to integrate ICT where appropriate. There is a number of things to consider when you plan to use effective teaching strategies to integrate ICT into learning activities and unit plans These include: - availability of ICT equipment - students ICT skill level - is the ICT equipment enhancing the learning rather than just being used to fill time?
The availability of ICT equipment is a major consideration for my class. To be able to use ICT equipment individually or in small groups we need to pre-book iPads which can sometimes be challenging in an R-12 school. The student’s ICT skill level is also another consideration that is important. In a Reception class, students often struggle to use ICT equipment independently and therefore this sometimes effects the usefulness of such equipment in lessons. Below is an example of a lesson where I integrated ICT to enhance their learning. In this writing groups lesson one of the groups uses iPads to listen to a story. To access the story students, need to be able to scan a QR code to be taken directly to the required video. Once students listened to the story, they needed to record the problem that the characters faced and how they solved it. By using the iPad’s students were able to hear the story verbally rather than reading it themselves. This particularly helps students who struggle with reading but it also presents the task in an engaging way for all students.
My interactive whiteboard is also often used to enhance or consolidate student learning and well as engaging students in new material. We use it to play games, watch videos, listen to song and to view videos and photos of our learning.
During the year in the Reception class I have focused on teaching students how to use ICT responsibly and safely. This included how to use the internet in a safe manner. I have also started to introduce them to various apps on the iPads and have taught them how to use them so that in future years teachers can integrate ICT within their classrooms as students will have the skills to use them more independently.