Facing the Challenges — Using Information and Communications Technology to Support Teaching and Learning
This article explores some of the key issues associated with the use of information and communications technology in the classroom. It discusses the relevance of an education technology strategy and the implications of such a strategy for both teachers and pupils alike. The integration of ICT into the curriculum is considered by many as the means whereby pupils, and learners in the broader context of education, can enhance their knowledge, skills and understanding. As a way of demonstrating how this might be achieved, a detailed teaching project is presented for the reader's consideration. The project focuses on a topic on ‘Dinosaurs’ which has been developed with pupils aged 10 to 11 years of age. A detailed scheme of work and lesson plans are included, as are teaching notes, for those who wish to carry out the project for themselves. The article concludes with the proposition that ICT has the potential to enhance the quality of teaching and learning within the classroom. Inevitably this will require facing a number of challenges. One such challenge is that of coping with the change that will inevitably result from the new technologies.