Intel Education - Information Communication Technology (ICT) in the Classroom
conference, Grey College, Bloemfontein
4 July 2007
The Headmaster
International guests
Conference speakers
Educators
Ladies and gentlemen
On behalf of the Department of Education and government I wish to extent a
warm welcome to all delegates, participants and sponsors of this conference. I
do so also on behalf of the MEC of Education who is attending an urgent and
special Council of Education ministers meeting in Gauteng; a meeting that I was
too to attend.
I understand that my task is to boot up the conversation on ICT in the
Classroom, the theme of this conference.
I learn from the programme that you will engage during the next four days on
important issues surrounding the use of ICT in the classroom, such as:
* using web quests and project-based learning
* Using new technologies � even hand-held devices
* the challenges teachers face to balance proven and conventional pedagogical
practices with the acquisition of new technological skills
* collaboration in online communities
* even the dangers of "death by powerpoint."
I want to commend Intel and other sponsors for the initiative of this
conference providing our educators with an opportunity to learn from
specialists, who through sharing their expertise with teachers enable them to
return to their schools with new and exciting approaches.
This conference is an ideal opportunity for teachers' professional
development. Your participation will widen your knowledge, deepen your
understanding, add to your skills and broaden your networks for collaboration.
In computer terms we can say: this conference will expand your memory; increase
the speed of your internal processor by at least three Giga Hertz; install new
software and add a few USB ports! You will go back to your schools as
technologically upgraded teachers!
The Department of Education is extremely thankful for the efforts of Intel
for developing the ICT capacity of teachers with the highly successful teach to
the future programme. More than 25 000 teachers have participated in the
programme. Intel is to be commended for their efforts, the excellent quality of
the programme and the resources that have been committed to ensure that it
reaches the broad cross-section of the teaching community.
Increasingly governments are realising how important it is to invest in the
real implementers of e-education, namely the teachers. International research
repeatedly indicates the lack of teacher support as a key reason for the
failure of ICT in education programmes.
The professional development of teachers sits at the heart of any successful
technology and education programme. Teachers not only require formal training,
but also sustained and ongoing support from district officials, school
leadership and colleagues to assist them to learn how best to integrate
technology into their teaching activities.
While modern developments may have eased some teaching burdens they have
also created new imperatives in the teaching environment. Simply stated, in
today's information and knowledge-driven world, a whole new set of skills is
required.
As far as ICT development is concerned, the department is finalising a
framework of ICT competencies for teachers. This framework is an important
milestone in that it will attempt to adequately address the ICT training needs
of teachers in classrooms. All subject advisors will also have the opportunity
and must be trained in the use of ICT in teaching and learning in this
year.
A recent impact study in the United Kingdom shows a rise in subject
performance through ICT use in English, design, science and technology.
Specific ICT uses, such as interactive whiteboards, also have a positive effect
on learners' performance in literacy, mathematics and science tests compared to
students in other schools. It especially improved the performance of low
achieving learners in English and the impact was greatest on writing
skills.
Another impact study carried out in the United Kingdom looked at the impact
of ICT from an economic angle. It confirmed that ICT investment has a positive
impact on educational performance in primary schools, particularly in
English.
Research results also confirm the wider positive benefits of ICT on learning
and learners, such as on their motivation and skills development,
concentration, cognitive processing, independent learning, critical thinking
and teamwork. Increased motivation goes together with a positive learning
attitude and leads, for example, to paying more attention during lessons.
Learners are also more involved in the learning activities.
The fact that ICT enhances a more learner-cantered approach is often cited
as among its most important benefits. ICT can benefit both academically strong
and weak learners as well as learners with special needs.
We believe that ICT can create greater access to learning opportunities,
redress inequalities, improve the quality of teaching and learning and provide
learners with personalised learning experiences.
Our Networked World demands a workforce that understands how to use
technology as a tool to increase productivity and creativity, and how to
effectively interact with others across cultures and languages. Knowledge
workers need to be flexible and able to learn quickly as work environments
continue to change.
The department believes that when ICT is successfully integrated into
subject-teaching and learning, it can ensure the meaningful interaction of
learners with information. ICTs can advance high order thinking skills such as
comprehension, reasoning, problem-solving and creative thinking. This higher
order thinking underpins many of the critical outcomes of the National
Curriculum Statement, particularly in its emphasis to develop learners who are
able to identify and solve problems, make decisions using critical and creative
thinking and to be able to collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate
information.
A relevant education is more important today than ever. We must teach our
learners how to learn, and quickly acquire new skills. Our schools must prepare
our youth to compete in a world increasingly driven by information, technology
and knowledge.
An overwhelming body of evidence shows that the majority of teachers have
not yet embraced new pedagogical practices. Most teachers are not confident yet
in exploiting ICT to support their teaching and learning activities.
We should embrace opportunities such as presented at this conference to
assist us to see past the technology issues only and focus on the pedagogical
and educational gains that the use of ICT will bring to the classroom. Your
role in spreading the message cannot be underestimated. Your list of innovative
ideas will be posted on the Thutong portal's Innovative Teachers Network (ITN)
for others to have access to. While you are here, create learning circles and
get your colleagues to join the various collaborative online virtual
communities of practice that have been established on Thutong for you.
These communities of practice are available for teachers to share resources
that enhance their curriculum, review each others' lesson plans and exchange
ideas and good practices with others. Did you know that the Innovative Teachers
Network on Thutong already hosts communities of practice for Life Science,
English, Information Technology, Computer Application Technology (CAT) and
Mathematical Literacy? Indeed even novel ideal and practices during this
conference will be posted on the net.
I would like to think of yourselves as ICT champions of your schools. You
must regard yourselves as the leaders of a new era in education in this
country. You may want to have others benefit from the knowledge, skills and
expertise you have acquired. Connect, surf, share, browse, mail and connect
others, no matter how small or humble your contribution may be.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Education
4 July 2007
