Module A - Locating and Incorporating Electronic Resources

Module B - Word Processing and the Creation of Interactive Learning Materials

Aim

The aim of this module is to enable teachers  develop students’ word processing skills and assist with the design and production of interactive learning materials which enhance the student learning experience and support teaching of the curriculum. On completion of this module, participants will produce learning scenarios which enhance the student learning experience and support innovative teaching of the curriculum.

Objectives

By the end of this module you should be aware of how to:

• Utilise easily accessible tools and methods for adding interaction to teaching materials.
• Critically examine a number of tools designed to assist with the generation of interactive resources for teaching practice.
• Take account of learning design theories and produce learner-centred resources
• Understand the processes and procedures underlying the design and development of interactive teaching resources
• Provide students with a comprehensive set of word-processing skills, including those integrating multimedia, interactivity and inclusivity
• Critical evaluation of teaching and learning materials

Module C - Electronic Communication and Collaboration

• Email and Messaging
• Discussion Groups
• Wikis and Blogging
• Working with an LMS

• Netiquette and online conventions
• Internet Security and ‘Safe Surfing’

Module D - Work Methods and ICT: Where ICT Can Make a Difference

Aim

The aim of this module is to review the range of ways ICTs can be usefully applied to the work of schools, teachers and students. To identify some of the triggers for educational change and the role school leadership plays in cultivating change and to examine ICT at your school and its role in providing new models for evaluation and assessment, particularly regarding ePortfolios and eJournals. On completion of this module, participants will produce a case study for their school with recommendations for change which will enhance the student learning experience and support innovative teaching of the curriculum.

Objectives

By the end of the module you will be aware of some of the drivers for educational change in the early 21st century and how ICTs are enabling schools to respond. You will be able to:

• identify economic, social and societal drivers requiring responses from the education sector.
• describe educational changes needed to respond to these drivers.
• understand the relationship between leadership and change and how change can be effectively managed.
• describe a range of ways ICTs can support change to the school workplace.
• understand how ICTs can impact pedagogy and support change in classroom practice.
• articulate useful applications of ICT within the school environment.
• make the case for change in current school procedures to leverage the benefits of ICTs.
• set up an example of an ePortfolio environment.
• Identify ICT based systems for storing information concerning student work.

Module E - Spreadsheets

Module F - Publishing on the Web

Module G - Presentation technologies

Aim
The aim of this module is to enable educators to understand the potential of Presentation Technologies and to learn how to design and create well-planned presentations for their teaching.On completion of this module, participants will produce learning scenarios which enhance the student learning experience and support innovative teaching of the curriculum.

Objectives
By the end of the module you will be aware of the following techniques and tools and their current and potential applications within an educational context.
You will be able to:

• Take account of student learning styles in order to produce learner-centred resources
• Integrate sound pedagogy related to presentation use, design and delivery
• Understand the processes and procedures underlying the design and development of presentations and IWB resources
• Confidently use presentations for group instruction and individual, interactive learning experiences
• Use common tools, processes and design concepts involved in the creation of presentations and use of IWBs
• Understand some of issues surrounding the use of presentations, multimedia and IWBs as engaging and useful instructional teaching tools
   

Module H - Games and Learning

Aim
The aim of thismodule is to enable educators to understand the potential of games for learning andto design, create and manage possible uses of electronic games within their teaching practice.On completion of this module, participants will produce learning scenarios which enhance the student learning experience and support innovative teaching of the curriculum.

Objectives
By the end of this module you will be aware of:

• Common advantages and potential issues with the use of games in education
• Using commercial-off-the-shelf games (COTS) for teaching and learning
• Some methods and common software for creating games 
• Pedagogic approaches to the use of games in teaching
•  Different learning styles applied when playing, creating and using games in lessons
• How game literacy is important when discussing games
• The potential future trends of games
   

Module I - Working with Digital Images

Aim
The aim of thismodule is to enable educators to understandwhy images are a dominating feature in today’s media-centric world and why developing a level of critical “visual literacy”, as well as the technical skills to construct and deconstruct “visual texts”, is an important skill for teachers and students. On completion of this module, participants will produce learning scenarios which enhance the student learning experience and support innovative teaching of the curriculum.

Objectives
By the end of the module you will be aware of the following techniques and tools and their current and potential applications within an educational context.
You will be able to:

• Recognise the role images play in learning scenarios
• Understand effective ways to use images to enhance teaching
• Understand common terms and concepts related to imaging
• Understand basic principles/impacts of design and composition
• Recognise that images can be manipulated for effect
• Use a variety of tools and methods to capture/gather images
• Locate and use common imaging applications and tools
• Use applications to gather, organise and store digital images
• Identify appropriate formats for saving images for different uses
• Recognise issues and responsibilities regarding copyright

Module J - Working with Videos, Animation and Podcasts

Aim
The aim of this module is to enable educators to design, manage and review potential uses of moving digital images and to incorporate the necessary tools, techniques and pedagogies within their teaching practice. On completion of this module, participants will produce learning scenarios which enhance the student learning experience and support innovative teaching of the curriculum.

Objectives
By the end of the module you will be aware of a range of techniques and tools used to design and develop videos, animations and podcasts and understand their current and potential applications within an educational context.

You will be able to:

• Discuss reasons why educators should consider using moving digital images in their teaching.
• Understand the common uses of moving digital images in teaching practice.
• Understand the common uses of moving digital images in a curriculum and whole school/college context.
• Popular tools which allow the creation, manipulation or modification of moving digital images
• Popular tools which allow the gathering and organisation of moving digital images.
• Describe the common terminology involved in moving digital imaging.
• Issues and responsibilities surrounding the use and publication of moving digital images.
• Understand the common organisational methodologies for moving digital imaging.
• Understand the commonly used formats for moving digital images.

In addition, you will demonstrable an understanding of the following areas and of their importance when using moving digital images for educational purposes:-

• Security, copyright, accessibility and fit for purpose
• Recognise and ensure that the images being used are displayed in the correct manner, attributed in the right way, and stored securely
• Netiquette and online conventions
   

Module K - Data Logging

Aim
The aim of this module is to enable educators to experiment with and apply data logging use to their teaching thereby enhancing the student learning experience. On completion of this module, participants will produce learning scenarios which enhance the student learning experience and support innovative teaching of the curriculum.

Objectives
By the end of the module you will be aware of the following techniques and tools and their current and potential applications within an educational context. You will be able to:

• Understand the processes and procedures underlying the design and development of data logging models
• Take account of student skills in order to produce learner-centred resources
• Integrate sound pedagogic approaches within your data logging use and planning.
• Be confident with the practical use of data logging in enquiry base learning.
• Use data logging in a curriculum and whole school/college context.
• Use common terminology when data logging.
• Issues associated with the selection of appropriate learning scenarios.

In addition, you will demonstrable an understanding of the following areas and of their importance when using data logging for educational purposes:-

• Begin to understand the processes and procedures underlying the design and development of data logging teaching and learning scenarios.
• Be able to take account of student skills in order to produce learner-centred resources
• Integrate sound pedagogic approaches within your data logging use and planning
• Be confident with the practical use of data logging.
• Understand the basic operating principles in using sensors, interfaces and computer software for data logging.

Module L - Databases

Aim
The aim of this module is to enable educators to experiment with and apply database use to their teaching thereby enhancing the student learning experience. On completion of this module, participants will be able to create, develop and use databases to produce learning scenarios which will enhance the student learning experience and support innovative teaching of the curriculum.

Objectives
By the end of the module you will be aware of the following techniques and tools and their current and potential applications within an educational context. You will be able to:

• Understand the processes and procedures underlying the design and development of databases.
• Take account of student skills in order to produce learner-centred resources
• Integrate sound pedagogic approaches within your database use and planning
• Confidently use databases for data collection, recording and presentation.
• Use databases in a curriculum and whole school/college context.
• Use common terminology involved in the creation of databases.
• Understand some of issues surrounding the use of databases.

In addition, you will demonstrable an understanding of the following areas and of their importance when using databases for educational purposes:-

• Begin to understand the processes and procedures underlying the design and development of databases.
• Be able to take account of student skills in order to produce learner-centred resources
• Be able to integrate sound pedagogic approaches within your database use and planning and be confident with the practical use of spreadsheets for data collection, recording and presentation.

Module M - ICT and Special Needs

Aim
The aim of this module is to explore a range of assistive technologies that will help teachers identify the most appropriate technologies to support learners with additional support needs thereby promoting a more inclusive learning environment. On completion of this module, participants will be able to identify the special needs of students to produce learning scenarios which enhance the student learning experience and support innovative teaching of the curriculum.

Objectives
By the end of the module you will be aware of the following techniques and tools and their current and potential applications within an educational context. You will be able to:

• Select, adapt and instigate suitable ICT resources to support the needs of students with additional learning needs.
• Understand legislation and policy related to Special Education Needs (SEN) and the implications for curriculum provision and support in ICT.
• Take account of student abilities and disabilities in order to adjust, accommodate or modify the ICT experience.
• Demonstrate an awareness of the range of additional support particular learning needs require, such as:
  • Specific learning difficulties, e.g. Dyslexia
  • Physical Difficulties, e.g. poor fine motor skills
  • Sensory difficulties, e.g. visual and hearing impairment
  • Complex communication difficulties.
• Access appropriate technology to support learners with additional needs such as:
  • Alternative and adaptive input devices, e.g. keyboards and mice
  • Support software such as text to speech, speech to text, word prediction etc.
  • Switches and scanning devices
  • Accessibility option features
     

Module N - eAssessment and Creating Online Tests

Aim
The aim of this module is to review the range of ways ICTs can be usefully applied to the work of schools, teachers and students. To identify the types of assessment and testing currently available, and to discuss the role and contemporary challenges of assessment and testing in education.On completion of this module, participants will produce learning scenarios which enhance the student learning experience and support innovative teaching of the curriculum.

Objectives
By the end of the module you will be aware of some of the contemporary issues in assessment and testing and the roles ICT can play in contemporary testing & assessment of student capability. In addition, you will have developed personal skills and knowledge sufficient to create an online test and to use ICT to manage data collected about student performance from a range of sources.
You will be able to:

• describe contemporary issues in assessment & testing
• articulate useful applications of ICT within the school environment for collecting evidence for the purposes of assessment & testing
• identify advantages and disadvantages in the use of ICTs for assessment
• set up an example of an online test environment
• use ICTs to manage student assessment information
• Describe and use online testing and electronic forms of evidence collection and management
• Understand ICT and its role in providing new models for assessment

Module O - School Innovation Challenges for ICT Development

Aim
The aim of this module is to enable educational leaders to adopt a strategic view of ICT deployment and utilisation across their organisation.The planned adoption of ICT tools across the school or college can enhance organisational performance and improve the service provided to and experienced by students, parents and associated stakeholders. On completion of this module, participants will produce a case study for their school with recommendations for change which will enhance the student learning experience and support innovative teaching of the curriculum.

This module presents an opportunity to:

• undertake organisation-wide ICT initiatives
• review the overall school or organisation vision, direction and plans regarding technology integration.

Objectives
By the end of the module you will be aware of the use of ICTs in schools and how your own school’s vision for learning and ICTs can be developed, implemented and evaluated.
You will also:

•  be aware of the current ICT landscape within your organisation
• have considered a vision for the future development of your organisation
• have worked as part of the team to successfully identify, plan and conduct an organisational change project
• have accrued practical experience of applying new technological techniques and tools to your institutional processes
• be able to evaluate the success of your strategic innovation and plan for future ICT enabled projects.