Despite massive government investment and numerous initiatives, we still understand little of how information and communication technology (ICT) can help people learn. Too often schools concentrate on acquiring more and more ICT equipment without also acquiring the skills and resources to ensure this equipment is put to good use. As a result, their ICT resources can be used in inappropriate or superficial ways.
In a new study, based at the University of Bristol, researchers examined how ICT can be used in educational settings such as schools and colleges to improve both teaching and learning. Teachers from project partner schools joined researchers, teacher educators and research students to develop better methods of integrating ICT into the classroom in particular subject areas such as history, science and music. These collaboratively designed learning initiatives were then evaluated and adapted within the classroom.
Research findings show that with appropriate support (for example, from researchers and teacher educators), some 70 per cent of teachers involved in the study successfully used ICT to enhance student learning. This result is significant given overwhelming evidence at national and international level, that the vast majority of teachers do not currently use ICT for teaching and learning purposes.