TeachIT reflects the objectives advocated by Phelps et al (2000). It applies Jonassen’s (2000) computer as mindtools concept to subject learning through teacher inclusion and engagement to join purpose with reflective processes. It caters for new teachers and the ever-changing nature of technologies. Tasks are judged against the learning benefits that computers can provide as shown in Table 1:
Learning Goals |
Software Example
|
Curriculum Examples
|
Measuring Success
|
Motivation
|
Dreamweaver
Various
|
Computer Learning and Junior English: Personal Intranet web pages
|
‘how long can students stay on task?’
|
Concentration
|
Dreamweaver
|
Geography: Field Trip multiple resources
|
‘when the bell goes are they still working?’
|
Cognitive processing
|
Powerpoint
Web / Word
|
Geography and Religious Education: website analysisn
|
‘Subject teacher agreement that all students are benefiting’
|
Independent learning
|
Studywiz
various
|
In all subject areas and topics
|
‘students accessing, using and submitting materials without assistance’
|
Critical thinking
|
Inspiration
|
Religious Education: values and relationships
|
‘audience (teacher) assessment rubric’
|
Teamwork
|
Wiki
Web 2
|
History: WW2 story development
English: book discussion
|
‘what level peer problem-solving support’
|
Individual differences
|
various
|
Religious Education: learning styles task
|
‘variety of student interpretations of value to audience (teacher)’
|
Visual literacy
|
Powerpoint
Word
|
History and English: Art, book and movie scene analyses
|
‘audience (teacher) assessment rubric
|
Accessing, Using and communicating information
|
Firefox
Dreamweaver
|
Religious Education: web site evaluation
Geography: Field Trip Reporting
|
‘audience (teacher) assessment rubric
|
Transferable skills
|
iMovie
|
Junior years cross-curricular use of digital movie skills
|
‘amount of technical input & support needed’
|
Artistic expression
|
Photoshop
|
English: Advertising
Religious Education: development of animated story illustrations
History: Dreamtime Art
|
‘range of individual interpretations / ideas meeting audience (teacher) requirements’
|
Personal learning
|
Web2
|
Computer Learning: Cyberbullying
|
‘degree to which students engage in discussion and reporting’
|
Global awareness
|
Studywiz
Web2
|
Digital Movie Making elective; Horizon Project
Junior German: wiki with German school
| ‘range of cultural connections between students and teachers’
|
Value beyond school
|
Studywiz
|
Women4IT Project
Student messaging 24/7
| ‘level of access’ ‘level of working connections to resources beyond school’ |
Access to high-level information
|
Web
|
Religious Education: virtual excursion through websites of historic sites
|
‘audience (teacher) assessment rubric’
|
Introduction to new digital tools
|
iGoogle
|
Computer Learning: Bookmarks
|
‘completion of task & extension into new digital tools’
|
Productivity and Efficiency
|
Word
Powerpoint
|
Computer Learning: tables to organise & report
History: WW2 presentations
|
‘application into new tasks – degree of re-teaching required’
|
Managing learning for an audience
|
Dreamweaver
|
Computer Learning and Religious Education: personal web site folio
|
‘generation of personal web site to project to audience’
|
IT career pathways & support
|
|
Students doing VCE studies ahead of their Year grouping
|
‘number of students who go to more advanced IT and related courses’
|
Table 1: Matching ICT skills with Learning Benefits
|
The software originally listed in 2006 has been updated as technology changes emerge: