New opportunities
There has recently been a revolution in ICT training as the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) has been distributing lottery funding expressly to train teachers in ICT (a separate programme exists for school librarians). The aims of the training programme are to raise the standard of pupils'
achievements by increasing the expertise of serving teachers in the use of ICT in subject teaching, to the level expected of Newly Qualified Teachers (who do not qualify for this funding). Expected Outcomes for teachers include ensuring that they know:
* when, when not and how to use ICT in teaching
* how ICT can be used in teaching the whole class
* how ICT can be used when planning
* including the use of ICT for lesson preparation and the choice and organisation of ICT resources
* how to assess pupils' work when ICT has been used
* how ICT can be used to keep up-to-date, share best practice and reduce bureaucracy.
If you would like to know more, you'll find full details of the programme on the NOF website, www.nof.org.uk.The NOF funding is not available to individuals but to their schools, and all state schools should already have had details about how to apply - schools have to sign up with an approved training provider (ATP) by March 2002. There are links to the ATPs via the NOF website or go to www.nof.org.uk/edu/ict/atp.cfm.All have brochures detailing their programme - most would include distance learning, working with a mentor and experiencing different types of software.
NOF funding is for all teachers, not just ICT co-ordinators but it is not available to classroom assistants, or those who work in independent establishments. However, a number of ATPs are prepared to offer training to individuals who would have to be self-funding, or who are funded by their work settings. The International Curriculum Assessment Agency (ICAA), for example, is a NOF ATP, but also takes self-funded teachers. The scheme looks at the whole range of ICT in the curriculum and part of its course is particularly suitable for nursery and primary staff - its Primary Information Technology Competence certification scheme was put together by Dr April Jones, founder of Computer Kids. The training costs from 219 per teacher, if a group of 10-19 enrol.
* Telephone 01962 737517
Another ATP willing to take on teachers from independent establishments, as well as classroom assistants is Semerc. Already well known as a publisher of software for use particularly with children who have special needs, Semerc's training programme is also particularly geared to special needs and is provided from its training centres in Manchester and Newcastle. It is very flexible, so that it can equally apply to a wide variety of different situations. For this reason, the programme begins with a face-to-face meeting to establish the teacher's skill levels and the needs of the children she works with, so that appropriate options for action can be established. Thereafter delivery is through a combination of CD and internet sources, email mentoring, moderated conferences and supported learning.
Semerc is happy to take on support assistants who are shadowing a teacher taking the training. If the assistant prepares her own evidences of ICT action, she will be given a Semerc certificate - the company is in discussion with Nottingham University with a view to making this an NVQ qualification, though this is still in the early stages.
* Telephone 0161 827 2719
If your circumstances mean that you do not want to undertake official training, another avenue would be to choose an ICT package for your setting, which does not rely on you having previous expertise. One such package is LessonMaker, a suite of ICT programs from EduTech Systems. LessonMaker comes with a one-click install CD and supplies all the QCA material for ICT work through Key Stages 1 and 2. This means that children can move through the program at their own pace, and that teachers who are not confident in ICT do not have to put a selection of single programs together for different stages - in fact the publishers believe teachers will improve their own knowledge of ICT and multimedia presentation at the same time! A single user licence costs 125 for the junior and infant version, 85 for infant version only.
* Telephone 01162 350355
It may be that a full course is not appropriate for staff in your setting. In that case you could look at providers of short courses and in-house training. One such company is the IT Learning Exchange, a nominee this year in the 'Support for ICT' category at the BETT awards. Part of the School of Education of the University of North London, the IT Learning Exchange was originally a technical support centre. It now also offers short courses for teaching and non-teaching staff and INSET sessions in schools and teacher centres. Topics covered include curriculum development, software skills training and hardware management.
* Telephone 020 7753 5092
