Embedding ICT in the History
Curriculum An overview of good practice in
secondary schools
Ben Walsh [email protected]
Guardian Conference: Embedding ICT in the History Curriculum
We really are only at the start of embedding ICT in History (BECTA 2005)
Guardian Conference: Embedding ICT in the History Curriculum
Lots of reasons to take a positive view Great work being done by students Lots of pioneering work by dedicated enthusiasts
(see today’s programme) Many excellent resources …
Learning Curve Learn.co.uk British Pathe (www.britishpathe.com) Burnt Cakes (www.burntcakes.com) Schoolhistory.co.uk ‘family’ Whiteboards and a range of software ‘tools’
… which are relatively easy to integrate
Guardian Conference: Embedding ICT in the History Curriculum
Caveats and concerns Regular and meaningful access to ICT Reliability of computers, networks etc Training All valid concerns, but definitely not
reasons to give up
Guardian Conference: Embedding ICT in the History Curriculum
History and ICT: Cautious optimism?
Continuing investment in ICT: hardware, ELCs
Falling prices: projectors, whiteboards, the first $100 laptop
Genuine government commitment to embedding DFES ICT in Schools Unit ICTAC Historical Association / BECTA joint History
teacher and ICT Co-ordinator conference
Guardian Conference: Embedding ICT in the History Curriculum
So what about good practice? (1)
There is plenty of good practice in History without ICT
The best practice comes when using ICT gives us something extra in our History
We need to flag up History’s potential to help build progression in ICT through: fascinating contexts challenging tasks
Guardian Conference: Embedding ICT in the History Curriculum
So what about good practice? (2)
Engaging with the ICT agenda means some big questions: Do we know enough about what ICT can do
for us? Do we always make the most of all of the
possibilities which ICT offers? How do we sell GCSE History to the student
who likes it but wants to be a web designer and can’t see its relevance?
Guardian Conference: Embedding ICT in the History Curriculum
Making the most of ICT 1 Do we use the word processor for appear
ance? Could we do more? Are we exploiting the unique features of
the Internet? Its downsides: Martin Luther King Content not accessible anywhere else:
Dunkirk Do historians really not do numbers?
Popular interpretations Statistics and media literacy
Guardian Conference: Embedding ICT in the History Curriculum
Making the most of ICT 2 Do presentations challenge students to
consider: value of specific software tools - vocational
links issues of purpose and audience
Do we have the support, equipment and training to address these issues?
The rest of today seems like a good start!