adding ICT for school management and the curriculum. The school is still
firmly grounded in traditional, teacher-centred practice. For example, teachers
tend to lecture and provide content while students listen, take notes, and
are assessed on the prescribed content. School organization provides discrete
time periods for each subject. Learners' access to technology is through individual
teachers. A curriculum that focuses on basic skills and an awareness of
the uses of ICT assists movement to the next approach.
Applying
The applying approach is linked with schools in which a new understanding
of the contribution of ICT to learning has developed. In this phase, administrators
and teachers use ICT for tasks already carried out in school management
and in the curriculum. Teachers still largely dominate the learning environment.
For example, instructing may be supplemented with ICT such as
electronic slide presentations and word-processed handouts. Students receive
instruction and add notes to teacher prepared handouts. They use ICT tools
to complete required lessons and are assessed on prescribed content. School
organization provides discrete time periods for each subject with some flexibility
to combine subjects and time periods. Learner access to technology is
through one or two classroom computers and computer labs. Until now, ICT
has been taught as a separate subject area. To move to the next phase, the
school chooses to implement an ICT-based curriculum that increases ICT
across various subject areas with the use of specific tools and software.
Infusing
The infusing approach is linked with schools that now have a range of computer-based
technologies in laboratories, classrooms, and administrative areas.
Teachers explore new ways in which ICT changes their personal productivity
and professional practice. The curriculum begins to merge subject areas to
reflect real-world applications. For example, content is provided from multiple
sources, including community and global resources through the World Wide
Web. Students' access to technology enables them to choose projects and ICT
tools that stimulate learning and demonstrate their knowledge across subject
areas. School organization provides the flexibility to combine subjects and time
periods. Learners have more choices with regard to learning styles and pathways.
They take more responsibility for their own learning and assessment.
ICT is taught to selected students as a subject area at the professional level. To