E-Learning in the K-6 Classroom

After reading Kim’s post regarding this article I had a look at it myself and it had me asking the question; Should ICT be seen as a set of tools for use in the classroom setting or should it also be taught as a standalone KLA? Is it enough that children only have the opportunity for ICT learning when classroom teachers are able to integrate it or should we be making ICT lessons a formal part of the curriculum (while also continuing to use it in other subject areas when relevant)? Some schools already have ’specialist’ computer (RFF) teachers but I am not aware of how common this is. And maybe our ‘computer’ teachers need to be kept up to date through their own continuing education in the area of ICT in schools. I know of a couple of computer teachers who are still in the dark ages and do little more than teach children how to play on ‘paintshop’ or type a story in Word. I can imagine the benefits to education if our ICT teachers had specialised in the area while at university and had the knowledge to teach relevant skills to our children (and of course the schools had enough funding to purchase all necessary hardware, software and connectivity etc. and the extra time in the school week to fit it in)! Then general classroom teachers can integrate the technology where relevant to lessons but children will be receiving formal training that will be of great benefit to their futures.

The article makes reference to The International Society for Technology in Education which looks like a good website for teachers. They have some useful resources (links) listed and it is worth a look around.