After reading the McFarlane article I agree thatwe are not so far behind in implementing ICTs in the science classroom. The article also reinforced my ideas that there is so much more to be done. Providing computers is not enough and will never be. The powers that be must recognize this and act accordingly.
I believe that ICTs have muchto offer the teaching of science but must be correctly inplemented. If the initial attempt is flawed, and I fear it might be, teachers will reject it as being just another fad in a country where there is alot of money to spend.
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Eddie, I agree with you. There is certainly alot of money in the country right now and fortunately alot of it goes towards the MOE, thus why they can afford to put computer labs in schools. A good move, but...
Hardware alone, or the limitations put on their usage significantly cripples the potential of how much more they can acheieve. For instance, at the primary level, with the computers come a software called "ClassWorks" -an interactive software for developing skills in Math and Language. The thing is, most teachers are not trained to use them, and those who are, get strict instructions from the MOE to limit their use for anything else. What about the other areas of the curriculum? What about integrating technology? What about diverse teacher training in ICTs? Is this a repeat of a "Universal Secondary Education" type phenomenon? I certainly hope not, because it may very well have the same consequences. It's an election year Eddie!!!
David.
Edwin,
Part of the purpose of the course is for you to explore best practice related to integrating technology into science education. A lot of the methodology will also apply to how it should be implemented in the school. This is an opportunity for you to be a leader in your school. One strategy your school can use is to develop an educational technology plan. The plan guides every aspect of implementation and is research based. The following website features a guide to technology integration planning: http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te300.htm.
It's also a good example of hypermedia as described in your reading this week.
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