[Yr7-10it] VELS and IT

Thu Jun 8 14:56:14 EST 2006

I would think Word and Powerpoint are a tool which every one has at home and
is applying some skill in whatever depth of article or document they are
preparing or going into the program and the research and topics they are
covering. However, it is a tool that can be approached in many different
ways. An English teacher would approach it in the language and writing of
language to improve the students skills in the art of English and
communication. It may be produced and formulated in many different ways.
This can be said about every subject, every type of curriculum. 
Even if a student cannot use W or PP they can still create and be creative
in the task of using a computer. What the problem is some kids never even
get to a computer on a regular to know its worth, to learn its language and
to fulfil simple tasks. 
To say that PS should be teaching Word or Powerpoint is not quite right. I
would hope that they teach them a world of communication including the
language and skills of writing, number, performance, confidence, etc, how to
survive and how to respond, how to research, and, above all, how to be
creative and look for creative solutions, how to work together and be
leaders. What we do know is that there will be a whole new lot of software
soon. SO, do we teach archaic environments? 
A primary teacher has a lot to do in so short a time. A tool is a tool only.
Learning is by doing and having a goal or purpose to what you are learning
is the most important. We use PP and W far too much so that the document is
the driver of change and not the other way around.

Gordon Gunn
Director of Music
Mount Waverley Secondary College
gnn at mwsc.vic.edu.au
9803 6047

-----Original Message-----
From: yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au
[mailto:yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Mclean, Rachelle L
Sent: Thursday, 8 June 2006 2:31 PM
To: Year 7 - 10 Information Technology Teachers' Mailing List
Subject: RE: [Yr7-10it] VELS and IT

I would still think that Word and Powerpoint should be covered in depth
in Primary school, so that you 7-10-ers could move onto more challenging
stuff.  

-----Original Message-----
From: yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au
[mailto:yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of
fiona at balmoralhs.vic.edu.au
Sent: Thursday, 8 June 2006 12:54 PM
To: yr7-10it at edulists.com.au
Subject: RE: [Yr7-10it] VELS and IT

Rachelle 

You would be amazed.  Many of the year 7's can type up a document and
edit but they dont have more refined skills, especially those regarding
page layout and the more complex options.

"Mclean, Rachelle L" <Mclean.Rachelle.L at edumail.vic.gov.au> on Thu, 8
Jun 2006 12:42:28 +1000 wrote:
> Although Fiona, I can't understand why the vast majority of students
> wouldn't already know how to use Word at year 7 when I am teaching it
to
> my grade preps and 1s.
> 
> Rachelle McLean
> Pakenham Hills Primary School
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au
> [mailto:yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of
> fiona at balmoralhs.vic.edu.au
> Sent: Thursday, 8 June 2006 12:13 PM
> To: yr7-10it at edulists.com.au
> Subject: RE: [Yr7-10it] VELS and IT
> 
> I think this is what much of the discussion has been about Debra,
namely
> that IT is not being seen as a discrete subject but to be taught as
part
> of another subject.  If I was your elearning co-ord I would go back
and
> tell them to go away (or words to that effect) and then offer pd in
what
> skills they would like to see utilised (as opposed to taught) during a
> particular semester e.g semester 1, English, year 7 - focus on
microsoft
> word and basic editing and formatting and this would coincide with the
> year 7 being taught the correct skills in an IT class.  
> 
> If you dont discriminate between the subjects then the English class
> will be spent teaching IT skills and, you then have to ask the all
> important question - what are the English teacher's IT skills like -
> does he/she know what tabs are? can she change the rulers using the
side
> margins on the screen? Can he/she explain how the school server works
> and how to save corrently. Now I am going to make a statement
regarding
> English teachers that will probably get me hung, and to all those
> computer literate English teachers out there I humbly apologise but,
in
> my experience, the English teachers have been the ones who have had
the
> most difficulty coming to terms with new technology!
> 
> Fiona Bain
> LT Co-ordinator
> 
> 
> "McDonald, Debra A1" <mcdonald.debra.a1 at edumail.vic.gov.au> on Thu, 8
> Jun 2006 11:43:51 +1000 wrote:
> > Hi all,
> >  
> > I may be on the outer her as it has been a while since I have read
the
> emails regarding VEL's as I wanted to do so at my leisure instead of
> between classes, but at out school the eLearning coordinator is
> apparently going to hold compulsory PD's that will instruct staff
> (separate PD's for each subject area) what skills they need to be
> teaching each semester and how to do this. now I have no idea on how
she
> is planning to do this and I think that in time she will let us know
as
> I will be having to assist her in instructing the school in part of
this
> because she is not totally proficient in all area's of IT (mainly the
> basics).
> >  
> > what are you guys doing in the PD scheme of things for next year??
and
> how are you running it?
> >  
> > would love to here what is going on out there.
> >  
> > Cheers
> >  
> >  
> > Debra McDonald
> > Network Manager
> > Lyndhurst Secondary College
> > Cranbourne
> > (03) 5996 0144
> >  
> > 
> >
>
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> ---
> fiona at balmoralhs.vic.edu.au
> http://www.balmoralhs.vic.edu.au/
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> Year 7 - 10 IT Mailing List kindly supported by
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> Year 7 - 10 IT Mailing List kindly supported by
> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment
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---
fiona at balmoralhs.vic.edu.au
http://www.balmoralhs.vic.edu.au/
_______________________________________________
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 the Department of Education & Training.

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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