The role of the teacher in teaching and learning process is vital. The use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) as a tool in this process does not do away with the role of the teacher. Experiences show that there is a great disconnect in the usage of ICTs between students and teachers. Teacher training and on-going relevant professional development are essential if benefits from investments in ICTs are to be maximised.

Role of the teacher

Teachers remain central to the learning process.

A shift in the role of a teacher utilizing ICTs to that of a facilitator does not obviate the need for teachers to serve as leaders in the classroom; traditional teacher leadership skills and practices are still important (especially those related to lesson planning, preparation and follow-up).

Lesson planning is crucial when using ICTs

Teacher’s lesson planning is vital when using ICTs; where little planning has occurred earlier; research shows that student work is often unfocused and can result in lower attainment.

Pedagogy

Introducing technology alone will not change the teaching and learning process

The existence of ICTs alone does not transform teacher practices. However, ICTs can enable teachers to transform their teacher practices, given a set of enabling conditions. Teachers’ pedagogical practices and reasoning influence their uses of ICTs, and the nature of teacher ICT-use impacts student achievement.

ICTs seen as tools to help teachers create more 'learner-centric' learning environments

Research consensus holds that the most effective uses of ICT are those in which the teacher, aided by ICTs, challenge pupils’ understanding and thinking, either through whole-class discussions or individual/small group work using ICTs. ICTs are seen as important tools to enable and support the move from traditional ‘teacher-centric’ teaching styles to more ‘learner-centric’ methods.

ICTs can be used to support change and to support/extend existing teaching practices

Pedagogical practices of teachers using ICTs can range from only small enhancements of teaching practices, using what are essentially traditional methods, to more fundamental changes in their approach to teaching. ICTs can be used to reinforce existing pedagogical practices as well as to change the way teachers and students interact.

Using ICTs as tools for information presentation is of mixed effectiveness

The use of ICTs as presentation tools (through LCD projectors, television, electronic whiteboards, guided ‘web-tours’, where students simultaneously view the same resources on computer screens) is seen to be of mixed effectiveness. While it may promote class understanding of and discussion about difficult concepts (especially through the display of simulations), such uses of ICTs can re-enforce traditional pedagogical practices and divert focus from the content of what is being discussed or displayed to the tool being utilised.

Teacher technical abilities and knowledge of ICTs

Preparing teachers to benefit from ICT use is about more than just technical skills

Teacher technical mastery of ICT skills is a not a sufficient precondition for successful integration of ICTs in teaching.

'One-off training' is not sufficient

Teachers require extensive, on-going exposure to ICTs to be able to evaluate and select the most appropriate resources. However, the development of appropriate pedagogical practices is seen as more important that technical mastery of ICTs.

Few teachers have broad 'expertise' in using ICTs in their teaching

Even in the most advanced school in OECD countries, very few teachers typically have comprehensive knowledge of the wide range of ICT tools and resources.

The use of ICTs to promote 'computer literacy' is seen as less important than in using ICTs as teaching and learning tools

The use of technology in everyday teaching and learning activities appears to be more important than specific instruction in ‘computer classes’. While the development of technology skills is seen to have a role in the teaching and learning process, it is more important as an enabler of other teaching and learning practices, and not too important in and of itself. Schools that report the highest levels of student ICT-related skills and experience are often not those with heavy computer course requirements, but rather ones that made use of ICTs on a routine basis throughout the teacher professional development, and the teaching and learning process.

Students are more sophisticated in their use of technology than teachers

There appears to be a great disconnect between student knowledge and usage of ICTs the knowledge and abilities of teacher to use ICTs. This suggests that teacher inexperience and skill deficiencies may often be an important factor inhibiting the effectiveness of ICT use in education by students.

Use of ICTs by Teachers

Teachers most commonly use ICTs for administrative tasks

Teachers most often use ICTs for ‘routine tasks’ (record keeping, lesson plan development, information presentation, basic information searches on the Internet).

More knowledgeable teachers rely less on ‘computer assisted instruction’

Teachers more knowledgeable in ICTs use utilise computer assisted instruction less than other teachers who use ICTs, but utilise ICTs more overall.

How teachers use ICTs is dependent on their general teaching styles

Types of usage of ICTs correlate with teacher pedagogical philosophies. Teachers who use ICTs the most—and the most effectively—are less likely to use traditional ‘transmission-method’ pedagogies. Teachers who use more types of software tend to practice more ‘constructivist’ pedagogies.

Teaching with ICTs takes more time

Introducing and using ICTs to support teaching and learning is time consuming for teachers, both as they attempt to shift pedagogical practices and strategies and when such strategies are used regularly.

Simply put—Teaching with ICTs takes more time (estimates vary on how much extra time is required to cover the same material; 10 per cent is a common estimate).

Teacher confidence and motivation

Few teachers are confident users of ICTs

Few teachers are confident in using a wide range of ICT resources, and limited confidence affects the way the lesson is conducted.

Fear prevents many teachers from using ICTs

Many teachers still fear using ICTs, and thus are reluctant to use them in their teaching.

ICTs motivate (some) teachers, at least at the start

At least initially, exposure to ICTs can be an important motivation tool to promote and enable teacher professional development.

Incentives must be developed to promote effective teacher participation in continuing professional development

Teachers require additional motivation and incentives to participate actively in professional development activities. A variety of incentives can be used, including certification, professional advancement, pay increases, paid time off to participate in professional development, formal and informal recognition at the school and community levels and among peers, reduced isolation, and enhanced productivity.

Access to ICTs is the most significant factor in whether teachers use them

The most significant factor for continuing the development of teachers’ ICT-related skills is for them to have regular access to functioning and relevant ICT equipment.

Subject knowledge

Teachers' subject knowledge influences how ICTs are used

The way ICTs are used in lessons is influenced by teachers’ mastery of their subjects, and how ICT resources can be utilized and related to them.

Teacher content mastery and understanding of student comprehension make ICT use more effective

The evidence shows that when teachers use their knowledge of both the subject and the way pupils understand the subject; their use of ICTs has a more direct effect on student achievement.

Exposure to new/additional information via ICTs is not enough

The effect on attainment is greatest when pupils are challenged to think and to question their own understanding, rather than on exposure to new and additional information.

ICTs can aid teacher self-learning in subject matter

By providing access to updated and additional learning resources, ICTs can enable teacher self-learning in his/her subject area.

Teacher professional development

On-going teacher training and support is critical to the successful utilization of ICTs in education

Teacher training and professional development is seen as the key driver for the successful usage of ICTs in education.

Teacher professional development is a process, not an event

Traditional one-time teacher training workshops have not been seen as effective in helping teachers to feel comfortable using ICTs, let alone in integrating it successfully into their teaching. Discrete, ‘one-off’ training events are seen as less effective than on-going professional development activities.

Introducing ICTs expands the needs for on-going professional development of teachers

Effective ICT use in education increases teachers’ training and professional development needs. However, ICTs can be important tools to help meet such increased needs, by helping to provide access to more and better educational content, aid in routine administrative tasks, provide models and simulations of effective teaching practices, and enable learner support networks, both in face to face and distance learning environments, and in real time or asynchronously.

Successful teacher professional development models can be divided into three phases

Pre-service, focusing initial preparation on pedagogy, subject mastery, management skills and use of various teaching tools (including ICTs);
In-service, including structured, face-to-face and distance learning opportunities, building upon pre-service training and directly relevant to teacher needs; and
On-going formal and informal pedagogical and technical support, enabled by ICTs, for teachers, targeting daily needs and challenges.

Effective teacher professional development should model effective teaching practices

Effective teacher professional development should approximate the classroom environment as much as possible. ‘Hands-on’ instruction on ICT use is necessary where ICTs are deemed to be vital components of the teaching and learning process. In addition, professional development activities should model effective practices and behaviours and encourage and support collaboration between teachers. On-going professional development at the school level, using available ICT facilities, is seen as a key driver for success, especially when focused on the resources and skills directly relevant to teachers’ everyday needs and practices.

Training in assessment methods is important

Professional development should include methods for evaluating and modifying pedagogical practices and expose teachers to a variety of assessment methods.

Effective professional development requires substantial planning

A needs assessment should precede the creation of and participation in teacher professional development activities, regular monitoring and evaluation should occur of these activities, and feedback loops should be established, if professional development is to be effective and targeted to the needs of teachers.

On-going, regular support for teachers is crucial

On-going and regular support is essential to support teacher professional development and can be facilitated through the use of ICTs (in the form of websites, discussion groups, e-mail communities, radio or television broadcasts).

Enabling factors

A variety of changes must be implemented to optimize teacher use of ICTs

Shifting pedagogies, redesigning the curriculum and assessment, and providing more autonomy to the schools help to optimize the use of ICT. With sufficient enabling factors in place, teachers can utilize ICTs in as ‘constructivist’ a manner as their pedagogical philosophies would permit.

Source : infodev

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