To what extent are practitioners’ skills and knowledge important for the effective use of ICT?

Studies are continuously showing the beneficial impact technology has on students. However practitioners have been identified as being nervous when working with computers. Agyei and Voogt (2011) identify that this has a significant impact upon their pedagogical performance.

Even though technology is a significant factor unless teachers are trained and have the right knowledge and confidence within these methods their teaching through ICT will not be effective. (Brown. 2014)

The video below demonstrates how understanding and confidence have a beneficial influence on the use of technology.

Agyei, D.D. and Voogt, J.M., 2011. Exploring the potential of the will, skill, tool model in Ghana: Predicting prospective and practicing teachers’ use of technology. Computers & Education, 56(1), pp.91-100.

Brown, H (2014) "Teachers Attitudes and Confidence in Technology Integration". Theses, Dissertations and Capstones. 893(1) pp. 41-55.

Pasco County School. (2012). Teaching with Technology the “Write” Way. [Vodcast] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYowyQ-o4oQ (Accessed: 16.01.2017)

Are Practitioners Skills and Knowledge Important for the Effective use of ICT?

I have carried out a spider diagram on a webpage called Popplet. I have discussed whether practitioners skills and knowledge are important for the effective use of ICT? I considered factors such as learning styles, teaching, confidence/training and padagogies.

Here is a link to the webpage: http://popplet.com/app/#/3744780

The Effective Use of ICT by Practitioners

Jeff and Katie Dunn believe that Teachers will not be replaced by technology, but that teachers who embrace technology will replace those who do not (Dunn, 2015). So how important is it that teachers keep themselves and their knowledge up to date with technology?

To get more of an idea, I met with John Smith, who is a primary school teacher from Tonypandy Primary School, to discuss what he thought about technology in education, and how useful it is for teaching.

Below is the full interview I conducted:

 

From the responses he gave and the information I gather, I believe it is in the best interest of both the educator and the student, that practitioners keep themselves up to date with modern technology.  It not only supports teaching, but can allow for a more engaged audience and more information being learned by the students.

To Quote George Couros - “Technology will not replace great teachers, but technology in the hands of great teachers can be transformational”.

Do you agree that teachers should keep themselves up to date with technology?

 

Couros, G (2014). The Principle of Change: Stories of Learning and Leading. We need to see beyond the "Tool". Available At: http://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/4803. (Accessed on: 16th January 2017)

Dunn, J & Dunn, K (2013). Technology will not replace teachers. Available at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeff-dunn/teachers-technology_b_4130200.html. (Accessed at: 15th January 2017)

 

 

To what extent are practitioners’ skills and knowledge important for the effective use of ICT?

Ensuring that practitioners are able to teach ICT effectively is an essential skill particularly evident throughout the curriculum. Many researchers emphasise the importance of teachers being comfortable and knowledgeable using these methods of technology. (King-Sears&Evmenova,2007). Starr stated teachers view computers as valuable teaching tools when they themselves were comfortable using them (Starr,2003)

Do you agree that practitioners are more likely to use a variety of ICT methods if they feel confident that they can use them effectively? This video identifies this.


Austin, L.(2013)ICT in teaching. .Brown, H. (2014) ‘Teachers Attitudes and Confidence in Technology Integration’, Marshall-University Marshall-Digital-Scholar-Theses,DissertationsandCapstones,