EDTK2030

Assignment 2 - Due 28 Oct - 20 marks

Assignment 2 (option 2) - 900 to 1200 words

Assume that you are an administrator who has received instructions to introduce ICT-mediated
instruction in your school. Prepare a well-organized plan to guide how the following issues will
be addressed:

a) Justify the introduction of ICT-mediated instruction in schools.

b) Describe how you will guide the development of school-based policies to guide the
initiative.
c) Describe how, and in what areas you will prepare the staff for the initiative.
d) Explain your provisions for students with physical or mental disabilities.
e) Reveal the overall provisions that you will make to monitor and evaluate the initiative.

a) Justify the introduction of ICT-mediated instruction in schools.

 Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is defined by Blurton (1999) as a,
“diverse set of technological tools and resources used to communicate, and to create,
disseminate, store, and manage information.” Therefore, any attempt to introduce
mediated instructions in school using ICT must be justified. What are the advantages of
using this type of instruction? I have had the opportunity to experience the movement
from zero ICT in its present form to the present situation of a mix of adhoc, integration
and attempts at formal introduction of programmes such as these in todays’ classrooms.
I work in the primary school system in Trinidad and Tobago with 27 years experience
and I am pro-technology for education at all levels.
ICT- mediated instruction in schools have numerous advantages. Education in all forms
is at the heart of developing a nations most valuable resource, “their people.” This more
so in terms of formal education. The benefits are broad based as they impact positively
the students as well as the teachers. Students can engage in learning activities that are
authentic as based on Constructivist theories. Real world experiences and interaction
allow students to develop and interact with knowledge independently. The processes
involved provides for the development of pupils critical thinking, develops their creativity
and application of skills such as analysis and synthesis while learning. Research
indicates that,” students are able to develop critical thinking skills through collaboration
with other learners in online settings.” (McPherson, Wang, Hsu & Tsuei as cited in
Developing Higher Order Thinking Skills, n.d.) “The use of ICT tools such as wikis and
blogs promote collaborative learning, which can improve the teaching and learning
process as it deepens the level of engagement and collaboration among students.”
(Mcloughlin & Lin (2007) Students learn in less time, seem to like their classes maybe
because they see it as, “fun learning, versus monotony of the talk and chalk and pen
pencil and paper.” This type of learning is student centred and is based on learning
theories on how we learn. It is guided by Activity-based, Reflection and
Socially Oriented Learning Theories. Activity based theories according to, Schank,
Berman and Macpherson (1999) “ICT-mediated learning encourages learning by doing.”
The creation of interpretation of mental representations creates the environment for
student participation. “Bruner (1960) emphasized the designed activities should resolve
any contradictions and discrepancies in existing knowledge.” Internal conflicts, are
resolved by the use of Reflected Oriented Learning Theories. Problem solving and
evaluation of experiences are developed by students who generalize and develop
concepts which they apply to new and unfamiliar situations. “Students are learning by
discovery, much easier because various environments can be presented and
manipulated by them in their quest for understanding.” Bransford, Brown and Cocking
(2000) state that, “self-regulated learning affords realism, reflection and problem
solving, interactivity and discourse as it supports ICT-mediated learning.” ICT-mediated
learning opens up a world of information and environments for students to access. The
use of communication facilitates the use of real-time communication through platforms
like, SKYPE and other integrated communication tools like smartphones and tablets. I
have personally seen students taking photos of assignments and sharing with their
peers who are absent or were unable to participate.
It is my view that apart from the fact there is a worldwide progression to ICT-mediated
instruction in schools which is viewed by many as, “political,” the reality is that
justification is not really an issue anymore. The above only scratched the surface of
where ICT and Education is going. The rewards are many. There is no turning back!
Humanity is on the cusp of becoming technologically integrated in nearly all facets of
our lives. There is no doubt in my mind that ICT-mediated- instruction in schools, “is no
longer a want but a definite need.” It is a human endeavour that has been developed
and presented to us slowly at first and then with astonishing and exponential type
development. ICT-mediated instruction in schools and all related fields, will be recorded
in our history as a major turning point of the human condition.

ICT incorporation also enhances and greatly improve the efficiency of the management
and administration of teaching. The planning for, “delivery of instruction,” takes place
before it reaches the classroom. My personal experience in the field, is using the,
“Oxford University Press Dictionary and Volumes of Encyclopedias in times gone by to
researching and planning using templates and information via the computer saves me
much time as well as the environment. My latest flood experience in Trinidad saw me
discarding no less that twelve boxes of paper reference material that as a teacher I had
stored and forgotten. A lot less time is spent locating valuable resources and developing
strategies for instruction using ICT-mediated resources in schools. Some argue that the
process is time consuming. “However, research found that one of the most obvious
effects of ICT use for teachers was the improved efficiency of teachers, as they were
able to more easily access resources for preparing teaching materials and presenting
lessons” (Lai and Pratt as cited in Imsir, Ozyildirim and Sabanci, 2014). I find it
especially helpful in grading and evaluating students. Assignments even written ones
can be scanned and stored electronically for easy retrieval. Statistics regarding pupils
performance can be analyzed much easier and reports generated.
b) Describe how you will guide the development of school-based policies to guide
the initiative.
School based policies regarding implementing ICT-mediated instruction in school will be
developed on a phased basis.Stakeholders must be well informed and trained in the use,
development and integration of the initiative. The educators must be well aware of the Learning
Theories that are associated with the initiative and how they relate to ICT-mediation for
instruction in schools. The policies must be inline with the National Education Plan as each
jurisdiction is different. As a Transformational leader I will have to take the initiative to develop
and implement the initiative. It must be paticipative where proper implementation would be
guided by consultation and structured programmes. Meetings with staff to allay fears that still
manifest themselves regarding the use of technology in schools including but not limited to
personal fears and misuse of the technology by both the educators and students alike.
Professional staff development courses. The use of systems borrowed from other spheres
including the UWI open Campus and Humanities departments with the relevant permissions.
The policies must be directly embedded in the schools’ mission and vision statements and
concretised in its Strategic Plan.

c) Describe how, and in what areas you will prepare the staff for the initiative.
Change in the education setting can be very difficult if not properly initiated. Staff knowledge
and input are vital for the proper implementation of this initiative. I will, through meetings and
consultations have staff, “take responsibility for this initiative.” I consider myself staff, therefore, I
am included here. The empirical evidence must be presented to the staff showing the
advantages of the initiative. The requirements of the staff and the infrastructural change that
must be facilitated to ensure success must be known and readily available and not just another
idea that cropped up in a meeting. Therefore, staff sensitizing on the initiative regarding
prerequisites for implementation, attempts for staff to own the idea and be willing participants,
professional staff development courses that allays fears of technology by misunderstanding and
misuse by all stakeholders. Assurance and implementation of security measures to safeguard
personnel and infrastructure investment that would be a magnet for criminals is also important in
the jurisdiction. Crime has affected the way education is delivered. My organisation, has been
personally affected by negative elements in the past that stole and destroyed valuable
technological equipment systems! Implementation of the initiative will be a grand affair heralded
as a paradigm shift and done throughout the organisation.
d) Explain your provisions for students with physical or mental disabilities.
The infrastructure must be suited for pupils with physical or mental disabilities. It must be noted
that the limits for children with these disabilities will be guided by the National Education Policy.
There are limits regarding children with special needs that cannot be facilitated by the Primary
School System for medical and other reasons. Those who can be facilitated would be privy to
the use of a school that is friendly to the differently abled eg. wheelchair access. The systems to
be used in the ICT-mediated instruction would be such that voice recognition software that is
readily available, eg. Cortana in Windows 10 would be utilised. This is an example that is basic.
There are specialized hardware, (machines,desks etc), and programmes designed for differently
abled students, these will all be factored in the implementation of the initiative. Educators will be
trained in the use of these programmes to facilitate these students. A sense of inclusion must be
adhered to at the school. Psychological assistance and social guidance for all pupils and
teachers to learn and enjoy the same space is important for success. Far too often the learning
spaces neglect this important function of our schools, inclusiveness.
e) Reveal the overall provisions that you will make to monitor and evaluate the
initiative.
Any initative that impacts the delivery of the curriculum across the board like this must be done
within the confines of the National Education Policy and good Industrial Relations Policies. This
means that the initiative must be sanctioned lawfully as a, “measured duty for educators and
measured learning for students.” Evaluation of teaching methods have been a source of
problems for many administrators. Therefore, it is very important that the evaluative methods be
part of the regulations for teachers and students alike. The initiative must be well documented
by all teachers through their respective record and evaluative records and must reflect what was
taught and evaluated. A system like this can be easily monitored through a network designed to
allow administrators view the work done by teachers and students. Not unlike the UWI Open
Campus System where participants and their work can be, “measured and evaluated at the click
of a button.” Ethical guidelines and other safeguards built into the system allow for direction of
instruction and monitoring. As an example, EDTK2030, a deadline was given for an
Assignment. Students had issues and the Course Coordinator was able to communicate
instructions and vary certain elements to aid the students. This monitoring is vital for the
initiative success. Evaluation will be ongoing 24/0 as the system will permit administrators,
teachers and students to access the system within their relative parameters. Students
evaluation must also be in line with the initiative. It would be a tragedy for students to be well
versed in using ICT-mediated learning and then have to be evaluated at the end of their
schooling by using traditional methods. The SEA evaluation in my jurisdiction will have to
incorporate ICT-mediated evaluation in various subject areas for this initiative to be a success.
During my research in answering the above questions, it is clear that ICT-mediated instruction in
schools is the way forward. However, there is a vast amount of knowledge dedicated to this but
a very limited introduction of the initiative in my jurisdiction. The cry is one of, “cost, too
expensive to implement!” Would the cost of implementation be more than the future cost
educating our human capital?
Regards,
Bobby Boodram.
(315101599)