Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
When you go into your new placement school as a trainee it is only natural to be
very aware that you are there to observe, reflect and learn from experienced
practitioners. However, try not to feel that your role is only to absorb knowledge
and not to offer anything in return. Many schools become involved in teacher
training precisely because trainees bring in new ideas and fresh approaches that
can make existing staff reflect on their own practice. Of course, it is crucial to listen
and follow advice, but if there are opportunities for you to make useful contributions
in areas where you have expertise then you should consider doing so in an
appropriate and professional manner.
WHY YOU NEED TO UPDATE YOUR COMPUTING KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
It is often said that 'Computing/ICT is always changing', and this assertion rarely
meets with any disagreement. There can be no doubt that technology does evolve
rapidly, with a constant stream of new computers, devices and software versions
sometimes making their predecessors obsolete within months. As a 'new' Computing
teacher who is enthusiastic and wants to share their love of Computing with their
pupils, you will be ideally placed to introduce 'new' technologies and ideas, but only
if you keep up with developments yourself. No matter how enthusiastic you are, this
takes time and effort. Much of what you learn during this process may not be
applicable to the current curriculum you are teaching, but if you are genuinely
interested and enthusiastic about your subject, you will enjoy learning it anyway,
and you can store the knowledge away until it becomes useful. For example, you may
be able to contribute to an extra-curricular club related to a specific topic, such as a
programming or video-editing course, and share your expertise. You may also be
fortunate enough to have pupils come to you to share personal Computing projects
that are unrelated to the course but reveal their love for the subject, and this is an area
where your wider understanding and knowledge of current developments can be
very beneficial, and make a real difference to the lives of your pupils.
From time to time, Central Government can implement major changes to the
educational landscape that can have far-reaching implications for your practice in
schools.
You need to accept that, throughout your career, both technological or curriculum
change is inevitable and ongoing, and as a professional, as well as an enthusiast,
you have to keep informed. The willingness to learn new skills, readily accept
advice and admit ignorance is an increasingly important characteristic of effective
Computing teachers.
COPING WITH THE CHANGING NATURE OF COMPUTING AS A SUBJECT
When you are in school and teaching this can sometimes be quite low on your list
of priorities because you are very busy and have little or no 'spare' time. However,
some activities don't take much time or can be done as 'free' moments arise, such
as reading educational, professional, or specialist computing literature, or browsing
technology blogs and other relevant websites.
If you can find some time, you may find it useful to attend annual events such as
the British Education and Training Technology (BETT) exhibition (usually held in
London during January) or the Education Show (March, in Birmingham) where
you will be able to talk to developers and see the latest education and technology
products. Examination bodies regularly run training sessions for their qualifications
and these events can provide crucial insights into what examiners are looking for
in students' responses, as well as ideas about where students went wrong in the
previous examination series.
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