Lynch , Smith , Howarth
Chapter 12 : Integration of ICTs in the Classroom and in Society .
To this point in the book David Lynch and Richard Smith have examined the fundamental concepts of instruction , curriculum , assessment and reporting . This examination has culminated in the introduction and exploration of the Learning Management Design Process , with its 8 design questions providing a detailed insight into what is undertaken and what is required when the teacher designs a classroom curriculum . In this chapter and the following two , I focus on the concept of ‘ technology ’ and its role in supporting the classroom curriculum process and associated practices . Technology , or to use the specific parlance applicable to classrooms use of it , Information , Communications Technologies 68 ( or ICT ’ s ), is incorporated in the classroom curriculum in three inter-related ways .
The first is the notion that ICTs can be used to facilitate the overall classroom curriculum development process by providing a data base of information about students , the curriculum plans and associated documents , in a streamlined , interconnected and easily accessible format .
The second is the notion of technology assisting instruction . There is a myriad of software programs that have been designed to engage students in various learning based activities . This aspect has huge potential and a search of the web reveals a plethora of available sites offering such functions .
A third use , albeit a more futuristic potential of technology , is centred on the advances that are being made through medical and brain based research . Technologies such as MRI and CAT scans , together with research into how the brain works and functions is providing insight into how the biological world can be connected to the ‘ computer based world ’ without third party devices such as key boards , mouse and the like . This type of technology has the potential to generate a radical rethink on education and
68 ICT ( information and communications technology - or technologies ) is an umbrella term that includes any communication
device or application , encompassing : radio , television , cellular phones , computer and network hardware and software , satellite systems and so on , as well as the various services and applications associated with them , such as videoconferencing and distance learning . ICTs are often spoken of in a particular context , such as ICTs in education , health care , or libraries ( see : http :// searchcio . techtarget . com / definition / ICT-information-and-communications-technology-or-technologies )
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