Activity 4: Whole school conditions for ICT integration

Vision

The vision is to explore, use, integrate, implement and manage ICT as an agent of change in the 21^st Century, by empowering teachers and learners with current education through all the ICT opportunities available to use the knowledge, skills and attitudes gained to support, enhance and extend teaching and learning beyond the classroom walls.

Leadership

The leadership that is needed for this should include strategic planning, leading and managing staff with clear and honest communication and dedicated or committed collaboration, providing proper and adequate teaching and learning infrastructure, resources and tools, creating and implementing sufficient personal and professional development opportunities for staff, administration and management, and being flexible in incorporating and adopting curriculum and assessment guidelines and monitoring instruments in regards with the relationship fostered among all through the unified philosophy or beliefs formed in using ICT in education.

Teacher's Role

Teachers need to incorporate ICT in their curricula. Instead of making it seem like extra work, they can start to include ICT as part of the normal daily lessons, where combinations are made with the normal pedagogical practices. As a result, a teacher can start using computers for simple tasks that he/she knows how to use and work with, then gradually move on to more complex tasks as he/she increases his/her knowledge and capabilities of basic, intermediate up to advance computer skills. In addition, because the teacher should focus more on the didactical aspects of using the computer and not only the technical aspects there is the bonus of developing other skills as well.

The teacher’s main role in the classroom should be that of a mentor, coach, guide, facilitator, and motivator. However, the bottom line is that as a learner the teacher will need not only to know about ICT, but to also know how to use it in their teaching.

Learners Role

When given the opportunity to use ICT students will also learn about ICT. They will not only acquire ICT skills but a large set of other skills such as: reading, writing, communication skills, cooperation, teamwork, collaboration skills, critical thinking, problem solving, reflective thinking, research skills, media and literacy skills, organization and planning skills, etc. This is a clear example of adding value to learning using ICT.