Tomorrow the class are coming to visit the University in order to use the ICT facilities we have. When we first surveyed the class they reported that they really wanted to type more of their work. Due to lack of space/funding the school currently does not have many ICT facilities. So we have invited and arranged for the class to come here instead. These visits are occurring regularly until Christmas at the moment. We are assisting in walking the class to and from the university each week and have also undertaken a risk assessment for this to happen. Tomorrow we shall report back on the success of this endeavor!
The importance of ICT in children’s learning is highlighted by Bearne & Wolstencroft (2007) who discuss the significant changes in technology over the last decades which have had a significant impact on the use of everyday writing and text. Furthermore, Bearne (2004) points out that children are using digital technologies to access a variety of texts at home and ‘there is a pressing issue about the relationship between kinds of reading and writing fostered in schools and this experience’ (ibid, p. 19). Mills (2010) also discusses the important role ICT plays in most children’s everyday lives and argues that teachers must include new ‘digital media to make connections between the learning spaces of home and school’ (ibid, p. 35).
Waugh & Jolliffe (2008) discuss the positive impact ICT can have on pupil's learning. Using ICT can help to improve 'pupils' levels of concentration, self-confidence, self-esteem, independence and behaviour’ (ibid, p. 229). Moreover, ICT can have benefits for learners with special educational needs and those learners who may be reluctant.
Through the visits we hope to show the school that using ICT has many benefits so that they can develop the use of ICT in the future when the school is better equipped.
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