reflectin on Elliott

ON: CULTURAL CHANGE NEEDED TO EXPLOIT ICT IN SCHOOLS
DR ALISON ELLIOTT, INFORMATION AGE

Old “sage on the stage” models of teacher are no longer relevant to today’s students. They are accustomed to gaining information for themselves, and from many different sources. Teachers are no longer the knowledge source, but rather the knowledge filter. How to sift, verify, and analyse the incredible amount of knowledge at their fingertips, becomes essential for today’s student. Teacher’s need to understand how these sources work so that they can teach students how to verify what is relevant to their subject. This means an entire new learning experience for teachers.

Teacher’s need to be in at the planning and development stages of all ICT implementation, so that they thoroughly know what they are teaching and how to adapt these teaching models as new ICT develops. Set information must give way to fluid learning for both teacher and student.
Like any new learning, there is fear. Teachers need to know that they will be given the time, not only for training, but also for exploring the world of ICT as an ongoing experience. It has to be a regular, integrated part of teacher work scheduling, they cannot just be expected to take a personal interest, or do it all in their own time.