[Yr7-10it] Captain, there be IT ahead

Sun Dec 21 18:21:55 EST 2008

I believe, in schools there is a confusion between student confidence 
with technology and competence with technology. There are several 
research reports out there that talk about Multitasking Generation and 
how teachers and parents are often blinded by students who can easily 
adapt to technology, and they perceive this confidence as the students 
having advanced technology skills.

Yes the kids are confident and they pick things up quickly, but often 
their computing habits lack substance.When I used to teach Year 7 and 8 
IT many years ago, we used to focus on supporting IT across the various 
subject areas building effective information processing skills so that 
the kids could produce quality work. Most of what students do with 
computers isn't necessarily good quality - it has bells, but there is no 
focus or completion of tasks. Students need to know how to type properly 
and I don't think that there are any short cuts with this skill. It is 
better for their confidence in using the computer and their their health 
(ergonomically). As for the basic skills in WP, SS, DB .... these 
fundamentals allow subjects to jump right in and teach appropriate ICT 
units rather than having to back-track with kids and teach them simple 
information skills such as adding a header and footer.

Lets not confuse the technology confidence generation with the 
technology competent generation and giving kids laptops does not mean 
that they automatically assume these skills overnight. Giving kids 
laptops without these skills can sometimes do more harm than good.

I am all for appropriate integration of IT across the curriculum, but 
unless schools are willing to train non-IT teachers with the skills 
needed to run effective IT units they need to keep their junior IT 
classes in one form or another. I have worked in many schools and not 
many of them are willing to invest the PD time in their teachers to 
effectively run a fully integrated ICT program in schools.

2 cents worth!!!

:-)

Margaret Lawson
(currently on maternity leave from St. Michael's Grammar School, 
returning in 2009)

Jim Bunn wrote:
> We've been without year 7 and 8 IT for the past two years. It was the dream
> of the administration for years to fully integrate IT in the junior school,
> and used the introduction of the year 7 - 8 Learning Centre to do it, saying
> that it was mandated with the Learning Centre. IT still operates with
> electives at years 9 and 10, and they are popular with the students. 
>
> I yearn for IT to be put back into the curriculum, even lumped with all of
> Technology as it used to be, but to have it as a domain of its own, that
> would be pretty special.
>
> Jim
>
>
> Jim Bunn
>
> Technology Coordinator
> Hampton Park Secondary College
> 8795 9400
> CCAI CCNA ITE1
>
> bunn.jim.c at edumail.vic.gov.au 
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au
> [mailto:yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Roland Gesthuizen
> Sent: Sunday, 21 December 2008 11:36 AM
> To: Year 7 - 10 IT Mailing List; eLearning mailing list
> Subject: [Yr7-10it] Captain, there be IT ahead
>
> One thing is certain for 2009, and it is very likely to be change.
>
> There has been some disquiet brewing how many secondary schools have quietly
> dismantled technology and IT areas of the curriculum, sometimes under the
> broad aim to create 'integrated' subjects. In reality, the result has
> sometimes been a poor caricature and does not provide any real scaffolding
> to encourage students to take up IT or trade subjects. The reasons are of
> course quite complex but this and other directions taken by schools have not
> helped the skill shortages that are looming in both areas.
>
> I note that QLD has just put IT and technology back onto the radar.
> There will be 12 domains offered over 3 years (Years 10-12). These are
> English, Maths, The Sciences, The Arts, HPE and Personal Development,
> History, Geographical Studies, Human and Social Sciences, Design and
> Technology, Business Studies, LOTE, and Information Technology. Each domain
> will have a core and electives (specialist, extension and
> transdisciplinary). With the senior phase now being Years 10-12, 'core' is
> really Year 10. .. yes, you read this right .. IT will have it's own domain
> - Information Technology.
>
> Considering that some of the VELS was inspired by the New Basics program
> from QLD, it is interesting to watch this development, those surrounding the
> national curriculum and the future of the VELS in Victoria.
>      http://education.qld.gov.au/corporate/newbasics/
>
> I am curious what others think of this or the grouping of core subjects and
> domains that we have offer in Victoria?
>
> Regards Roland
> --
> Roland Gesthuizen - ICT Coordinator - Westall Secondary College
> http://www.westallsc.vic.edu.au
>
> "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change
> the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has."
> --Margaret Mead
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-- 
Margaret Lawson

Konstant Kaos Designs

ABN 50 523 597 927

26 Nash Street
Northcote 3070
Victoria Australia
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margaret.lawson at konstantkaos.net