[Yr7-10it] VELS and ICT – An Attempt to Model an Ideal Working Relationship

[Keith Richardson]

Thank you Robert - your thoughts are an important reflection of various
perspectives. VELS can be viewed in so many ways, as can ICT.
Keith



On Mon, 25 Jul 2005 08:31:17 +1000 (EST), "Robert Ruzbacky"
<ruzbackyr at aloysius.vic.edu.au> said:
> Hi Keith,
> 
> I think your model would work in a school. And yes, ICT trained teachers
> are important. I have worked in the IT industry for 7 years (programming,
> systems admin) and am amazed if schools actually believe they don't need
> any IT trained teachers or even do away with core IT altogether. Also a
> teacher should drive the direction of the IT of the school, not the LAN
> manager (unless they are a teacher :)
> 
> The reality in the workplace is that students of tomorrow need a good
> grounding in software packages, including word processing, spreadsheets,
> presentations, publishing and databases. Many need to be comfortable with
> Internet, e-mailing, chat, forums, etc and their correct use including
> dangers and netiquette (yes 1/2 my year 7 class had never used chat,
> despite many saying that our young are "breathing" IT). Subjects such as
> programming and multimedia also teach students to think and problem
> solve.
> Hence the ICT teacher can provide the grounding and educate other
> teaching
> staff. I don't see for example an English teacher spending time teaching
> their kids touch typing and the finer points of using word processing,
> though they could facilitate the use by doing an assignment in the
> computer room. In fact, non-ICT teachers don't need to be experts in
> software - the students can help out and these teachers can do more PD if
> they wish to learn more.
> 
> I don't see VELs as killing ICT - in reality, I don't have time to do
> much
> ICT in my mainstream maths classes as I have heaps of content to cover. I
> would have to do a unit of work around ICT, then book computer rooms,
> etc,
> etc. If I don't cover the main content (also in VELs), my students won't
> have a hope when they get to tertiary studies. Also I find if a student
> is
> not motivated, no amount of bells and whistles software is going to get
> that student to learn. ICT like other things (eg: use of a video camera,
> use of a calculator) is a tool, not the be all and end all. In maths, I
> found it more valuable for students to think in 3D by creating a paper
> model and showing solid objects than getting them to rotate a 3D object
> on
> a computer screen. Hence ICT skills need to be taught formally but can
> exist alongside VELs. With VELs, don't forget you can do other hands on
> things (eg: use some robotics, use a video camera, use some art
> equipment,
> etc, etc).
> 
> Regards,
> Robert Ruzbacky
> St Aloysius College
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> > Last night I had a dream. And in that dream I saw how we might avert the
> > demise of our beloved area of study - ICT.
> > Death by VELS - feared by some, ignored by many - is a stark reminder
> > that we must remain vigilant and be prepared to act when necessary.
> > Here is my attempt to 'see' a possible future in which both can survive
> > - VELS and ICT.
> > I await your response.
> > Keith.
> > Keith Richardson
> > Leibler Yavneh College
> > Elsternwick Ph (03)9528 4911
> > keithcr at fastmail.fm
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > http://www.edulists.com.au - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe
> > Year 7 - 10 IT Mailing List kindly supported by
> > http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
> > and
> > http://www.vitta.org.au  - VITTA Victorian Information Technology Teachers
> > Association Inc
> 
> 
> 
> Important - This email and any attachments may be confidential. If
> received in error, please contact us and delete all copies. Before
> opening
> or using attachments check them for viruses and defects. Regardless of
> any
> loss, damage or consequence, whether caused by the negligence of the
> sender or not, resulting directly or indirectly from the use of any
> attached files our liability is limited to resupplying any affected
> attachments. Any representations or opinions expressed are those of the
> individual sender, and not necessarily those of St. Aloysius College.
> 
> St. Aloysius College
> 31 Curran Street, North Melbourne, Australia
> P.O. Box 2072, Hotham Hill,
> North Melbourne, Vic. 3051
> Telephone: 03 9329 0411
> Facsimile: 03 9328 2801
> http://www.aloysius.vic.edu.au
> 
> *    This email has been virus scanned by    *
> *              LINUX CLAMAV                  *
> *           http://www.clamav.net/           *
> 
> _______________________________________________
> http://www.edulists.com.au - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe
> Year 7 - 10 IT Mailing List kindly supported by
> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment
> Authority and
> http://www.vitta.org.au  - VITTA Victorian Information Technology
> Teachers Association Inc
Keith Richardson
IPM List Moderator
Head of ICT, Leibler Yavneh College
Elsternwick
Ph: 03.9528.4911
k.richardson at yavneh.vic.edu.au