Pedagogical Beliefs and ICT Integration (i.e. Ertmer and Brown)

The articles written by Ertmer (2005) and Brown (2005) both suggest that ICT’s need to be used as an aid within the classroom to promote successful learning. There needs to be sufficient training provided so that teachers are able to use various forms of technology confidently and effectively, as opposed to using them in ways which do not hold any significance to the students. It is important that teachers do not rely on technology solely as learning aids, but rather incorporate them in, and use them in conjunction with other materials, such as books. In saying this, it is also important that teachers do not ignore the ever-changing and growing technologies available to them. Technology is not going to ‘disappear’, so it is logical that teachers find a balance, and use technology to engage and motivate their students where possible.

During my one week classroom immersion last year I observed that my classroom teacher was hesitant to use the technology available. The IWB was used, but not as effectively as it could have been, for example, the only time it was used during the first two days was to take and record the roll!! We do not want to see teachers over-using technology, and bombarding students with ICT’s, but a complete lack of acknowledgement of the technology available is denying students opportunities and possibilities to take their learning to a new and higher level.

It is also important that teachers know and understand that ‘technology’ is not just computers and IWB’s, it is digital cameras, ipods, TV’s – the list goes on and on. Technology takes on a whole range of digital media, and it is essential that a balance is found within teaching pedagogy in order to incorporate and integrate these technologies effectively.

I personally believe that the integration of ICT’s in our classrooms is a positive!! We can not ignore the world around us, so why not use current technology in meaningful ways to promote learning?

 

Click HERE to watch a YouTube video on how ICT’s have been successfully integrated at school level.

 

REFERENCES:

Brown, M. (2005). The growth of enterprise pedagogy: How ICT policy is infected by neo-liberalism. Australian Educational Computing, 20(2), 16-22.

Digital Camera Image [Image] (2009). Retrieved April 6, from huddyjamboscomputing.wordpress.com/2009/01/

Ertmer, P. A. (2005). Teacher pedagogical beliefs: The final frontier in our quest for technology integration? Educational Technology Research & Development, 53(4), 25-39.

ipod Iamge [Image] (n.d.). Retrieved April 6, from bindapple.com/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-ipod/

Laptop Image [Image] (2009). Retrieved April 6, from angwitch.globalteacher.org.au/page/2/

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