I was thinking about the amount I am using ICT in the classroom and its sad to say that it is not much at all. I use it for comprehension activities in reading groups and for activities relating to mathematics games but not for things relating to art and science. When and for what reasons have you been using ICT in the classroom? I know its hard because we are only casual teaching but its interesting to see what work left for casuals involves the use of technology?
Advertisement
Hi
I think the only real time that I use ICT in the classroom is through the use of smartboards but then again this is not in all schools and not all classrooms.
Apart from that the amount of times that being a casual teacher and being able to use ICT is very minimal.
I have attempted to create a movie with a year 2 class on one occassion whilst there on casual day using a digital camera, microphone and the windows movie maker program. The children thoroughly enjoyed that lesson and keep asking to do it again.
Hi,
I agree that it sometimes can be quite difficult to incorporate ICT into lessons. As you said, there is always a guided reading activity done on the computers, but computers have so much more potential, as long as the resources are available.
As a casual it can be quite difficult to use ICT as we must follow the day plan. I find it a bit daunting though when computer work is left, particularly at one school where I work that uses Macs, as if a technical problem arises I am often unsure how to fix it as I am not used to these computers. However I suppose with more and more exposure to these computers, the greater confidence teachers will have.
Hi
I find that most teachers generally don’t leave any ICT work for casuals. Do you think this is because they don’t trust leaving their login and password or they don’t trust our skills?? Questions to think about!! I was left an ICT lesson once. This was on a smartboard and for a maths lesson, a bit daunting but hey, why not throw us in the deep end and it’s not the end of the world if it doesn’t work!
I use ICT in my maths, english and science and technology lessons. I find it fantastic and am lucky enough to be in a school that is well resourced and can facilitate this.
Kate
Hi Lew,
Im glad from reading your post and others comments that I’m not the only one who has minimal use with ICT on casual days. The only ICT work I have been left with is to go to the library or use the lap tops to research their topic area or for projects. It rarely is to do creative activities and build on their skills.
However, I have had a lot of practice using Interactive Whiteboards on casual days which has been great. But as you said Lew this is mainly used for guided reading activities, English and maths games. Other KLAs need to be explored also. I think sometimes teachers use ICT just for integration and for the sake of using it. As said by Des in the lecture today, it needs to transform the lesson.
Hi Lew,
As Amanda and several others have mentioned there has been close to no use of ICT during casual days. I feel that this is perhaps because there are so many different programs available to schools that the schools/teachers may not feel comfortable in leaving work for casuals because we wont have knowledge with that program. Which is understandable. How is anyone expected to have knowledge so broad? It is impossible!
All we can do is have basic knowledge for as much as possible and ask questions whilst at schools to see what is being used. Just like any ther KLA it is continually evolving and so must out skills.
