Embedding ICT in the History

Curriculum An overview of good practice in

secondary schools

Ben Walsh ben@bwalsh.uk.com

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!