The most important consideration when planning a lesson using ICT is to ensure that the learning is the centre of your intentions - not the use of ICT. At times, a task is better (and more quickly) completed without technology. Many of us would be rich if we had a dollar for every time we heard the phrase, “it’s about the learning, not the technology.”
Simmons and Hawkins (2009) caution against rushing in to a decision about what will be done before having clear aims, objectives and learning outcomes. They also point to Bloom’s Taxonomy as a way to determine appropriate objectives that move through a continuum of cognitive challenge.
Think about the TPACK model - I find it is best to begin with Content and Pedagogy and then find the best fit for the Technology; this way you will not be distracted by the technology, allowing it to detrimentally affect the content and pedagogy.
Assuming we understand the importance of this, there are other considerations to be aware of when planning a lesson. The most difficult is to ensure you have not planned too much for the lesson. What an experienced ICT user or adult can do in a given period is not representative of what an average child can accomplish in the same time frame.
Some considerations:
- ensure all students are able to log on (if required). Provide login cards with username and password for children who need it.
- ensure devices are charged
- break tasks into manageable sections eg research, image selection/insertion, text, recording
- have as much preparation work done prior to hands-on activities - eg storyboard completed prior to creating a movie
- provide video tutorials is appropriate (this could be viewed and practised at home)
Reference
Simmons, C., & Hawkins, C. (2009). Planning to teach an ICT lesson. In Teaching ICT (pp. 54-105). London : Sage Publications Ltd.
I completely agree with you that learning is the centre of intentions in a lesson and not the use of ICT. You find the technology and applications suitable for the lesson and learning, not shape your lessons based on the technology. You have provided some great considerations to think about for future use in the classroom. I have been in a situation where devices were not charged fully before use which meant less time spent on them. Video tutorials are a great idea to allow the students to visually see what they have to do.
ReplyDeleteHi Michele.
ReplyDeleteI agree teachers should never use technology for the technologies sake and it seems to be happening more and more with the amount of technology which is now available in the classroom. I disagree with using video though, i believe the teacher should be able to show how something is done in order for students to truly understand it because they can ask questions in the moment and not have to wait for the video to be finished.