Sometimes you need to convince colleagues to think about using educational technology in their lessons, or to identify where in their scheme of work they could incorporate it.
This list is a starting point: you may find one or two points that would "resonate" with your co-worker, and grab his or her attention.
- Where information and communications technology (ICT) is taught well, it has
been shown to enhance pupils’ levels of understanding and attainment in other
subjects. That’s because “real” ICT is more about thinking skills than about
mastering particular software applications.
- ICT can provide both the resources and the pedagogical framework for enabling
pupils to become effective independent learners. For example, computer programs
are available that adjust themselves to the pupils’ level and then set
appropriate tasks and give feedback on performance. Used wisely, these can help
pupils to move on.
Also, newer technologies such as Web 2.0 applications enables
pupils and others to collaborate in ways that reflect a broadly constructivist
approach to education.
- ICT places all learners on an equal footing. Given the right hardware,
software and curriculum activities, even severely physically disadvantaged
pupils can achieve the same degree of success as anyone else.
- ICT has been shown to have benefits in terms of motivating pupils. That comes
about partly through factors like being able to produce nice-looking work with
no teacher’s red marks all over it, and partly because the computer is seen as
being impartial and non-judgemental in its feedback to the pupil.
- ICT enables pupils to gather data that would otherwise be difficult or even
impossible to obtain. For example, data from inaccessible places (eg outer
space), inaccessible times (eg overnight), from both overseas and nationally on
demand (without having to physically go anywhere) or data at very precise time
intervals.
- ICT enables pupils to gather data that would otherwise be time-consuming or
costly or both. For example, pupils can use the internet to get up-to-the-minute
information on prices. They can use a DVD or the internet to watch movies of old
dictators speaking, or the moon landings, or to listen to a piece of music by
Mozart.
- ICT enables pupils to experiment with changing aspects of a model, which may
be difficult or even impossible for them to do otherwise. For example, pupils of
Business Studies and Economics can see what might happen to the economy if
interest rates were raised or lowered. Pupils can use webcams to capture the
development of an egg or a plant.
- ICT enables pupils to draft or redraft their work until they are satisfied
with it.
- Another reason to use ICT in lessons is because it can help to implement
personalised learning.
- Pupils usually enjoy using computers and other types of technology, so
lessons which make use of it start off with an advantage (which is all too often
squandered).
- Educational technology puts the pupil in control (if it is well-designed), enabling her to personalise the interface, select and create resources, and even choose what to learn.
- Just about every aspect of modern life involves educational technology;
therefore, to not make use of it in the curriculum is
anachronistic.
- Because educational technology pervades all aspects of modern society,
schools have a duty of care to ensure that pupils understand issues such as
keeping safe online, protecting their identity, recognising good and misleading
information sources on the internet, the effects of educational technology on
communications and the economy, to name but a few issues.