ITGEN SOLUTIONS

Technophobia is a fear of technology. It is a condition that certainly exists in schools, often among teachers who are expected to use technology effectively in cross-curricular activities and in the new computing curriculum. While you might assume the condition is more prevalent among educators who are less “tech-savvy”, from personal experience, it affects those who are digitally literate too. And with more and more technology being used in schools, technophobia is something that teachers need to overcome or risking falling behind the times – and behind their students. Here are tips for getting rid of the fear: Don’t be put off by terminology  There are so many acronyms and unfamiliar words in the technological world.  This new “language” is overwhelming at first. However, jot words down and you’ll soon realise there aren’t as many as you think. It won’t be long before you know your “augmented reality” from your “m-learning”.   Don’t attempt to...

The Internet Digital citizenship education is too geared towards warning young people about the dangers of the internet, so we need to develop a new approach to digital literacy. Today, children are largely living their lives online. So, how have we allowed our schools’  curricula  to fall so far out of step with the world that we are not fully preparing young people for this reality? However, the bulk of the classroom material available was (and still is) on  cybersafety  and digital citizenship. In other words: rules about what not to do online, and rules about how to be a well-behaved user of the internet. A holistic approach Knowledge and awareness of the crucial role of the internet in our society, and how we should interact most appropriately with digital technology, is key to helping students thrive, both in social, work, and academic environments. Blocking, filtering, and scare tactics are certainly not constructive a...

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Technology can be a great time saving tool for teachers, if you ask the right questions Reducing teacher workload is, to my mind, a complex issue that doesn’t have just one answer – if only – but instead needs to be approached in many ways. And tech could be one tool that could prove particularly useful. So, how might this look? Well,  one of the big ways that technology can help teachers is in assessment and data analysis. Whether it’s fast, formative, ready-made assessment tools like Socrative, Kahoot or Quick Key, or full-on tracking and assessment systems, capturing data digitally can potentially make analyzing it and turning it into something meaningful and useful a whole lot easier. Like any tool, though, it is how it’s used that is the real key to this. What tech can also do is to make it easier for teachers to share stuff – and we have a lot to share. From planning and resources, to ideas and vital info, I’m not sure where I’d be without it all. Cloud ...

Five ways to buy tech well Follow these simple tips to ensure the software you purchase will be cost-effective and achieve the outcome you’re looking for When it comes to educational apps and software, there are more options out there than you can shake a stick at. So how do you know if you should go ahead and download? Ask yourself these five questions. 1. Have you clearly identified what your pupils need? Before you even go near the App Store or Google your options, make sure you know what it is you’re trying to achieve. Is there an issue you need to address? Phonics in Year 1? The teaching of programming in key stage 2? Writing for pupils with SEND? If you know exactly what problem you’re trying to solve and you find an app or piece of software that seems to address the issue or tackle the gap, then that’s a good sign. If you’re not sure what you’re trying to improve, then should you be spending money on the app anyway? 2. Hav...

Increasingly, schools are moving to provide students with their own laptop computer, netbook, or digital tablet. Schools purchased more than 23 million devices for classroom use in 2013 and 2014 alone. In recent years, iPads and then Chromebooks (inexpensive Web-based laptops) have emerged as the devices of choice for many schools. The two biggest factors spurring the rise in 1-to-1 student computing have been new mandates that state standardized tests be delivered online and the widespread adoption of the Common Core State Standards. Generally, the hope is that putting devices in the hands of students will help with some or all of the following goals: Allowing teachers and software to deliver more personalized content and lessons to students, while allowing students to learn at their own pace and ability level; Helping students to become technologically skilled and literate and thus better prepared for modern workplaces; Empowering students to do more...

Get clear on what matters  By getting rid of what doesn't.