ICT in schools

We need to do more to embrace ICT in schools

If employed effectively, innovative teaching practices can result in high-quality learning. Information Communication Technology (ICT) is an ever-evolving animal and it continually gives birth to new innovations.

At Whizz Education, we have spent the past ten years developing research and compiling data to support the adoption of innovative ICT tools, such as Maths-Whizz, in schools.

With this expertise as a basis, we’ve compiled five top tips for making the most of ICT and encouraging teachers to embrace its potential innovations in school…

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1. Promote 21st century educators:Ensure that all teachers have the knowledge, tools and enthusiasm to fully integrate quality learning activities into ICT. This will maximise the impact on a child’s classroom experience and education as a whole.

2. Keep Best Practice Guidelines for all ICT hardware and software: They should not simply just be administrative tools or electronic proxies, but function more as an integrated part of the classroom and the lesson plan.

3. Create a virtuous circle based around ICT and innovative teaching: Remember that teachers who are more engaged with ICT in the classroom show greater use of innovative teaching methods, and teachers inclined towards innovative teaching methods use classroom ICT better.

4. Use ICT to link home and school effectively: ICT can do this by increased communication and transparency, as well as recreating a positive environment. Engaging parents will also increase student motivation and thus raise standards.

5. Positive associations with computers: Children associate positively with computers – they are therefore welcomed as a learning platform. Technology should be embraced and its appeal to students should be considered as positive!

As Michael Gove stated back in 2011, ICT in schools should not be used to recreate the way we used to do things; instead it should open a new world of fun, interactivity and motivation. We need to embrace ICT and use it to its full advantage to improve teaching methods and encourage students to succeed.

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Although we need to embrace ICT in the classroom, we must remember that it should never be used with the aim of replacing existing methods of teaching. The modern classroom is transforming, and ICT provides the perfect platform for teachers to adapt and improve their teaching practices, with new methods such as blended learning.

Sample Year 1 Maths Lessons

Place Value	Mental Calculation Strategies (+,-)	Counting and Properties of Numbers
Estimate whether there  are enough items http://content.whizz.com/gb/en-gb/maths/lessons/ex/MA_GBR_0675AAx0100.swf	Use signs to record subtraction (difference) http://content.whizz.com/gb/en-gb/maths/lessons/ex/MA_GBR_0650FAx0700.swf	Count on in ones from any small number http://content.whizz.com/gb/en-gb/maths/lessons/ex/MA_GBR_0725JAx0100.swf