7: Teacher support: traditional and digital

  • 7: Teacher support: traditional and digital

    • Aim of module 7

      The aim of this module is to acquire skills and knowledge on how to support teachers in their digital classrooms.

    • Module 7 objectives

      By the end of this module, participants should:

      • Understand the principles of ICT teacher development
      • Know how to apply these principles in order to carry out their subject advisor's responsibilities.

    • Module 7 resources

      Review the module 7 resources below.


    • Policy on ICT development

      When training teachers it is essential that we understand what they are being trained for. With regards to ICT development, there are three dimensions:

      • Learning about ICT: this refers to training which expands on what can be done with ICT. It is more of an operational dimension that refers to what skills are necessary in order to use ICT
      • Learning with ICT: this refers to using ICT to supplement normal teaching processes and resources
      • Learning through the use of ICT: this refers to utilising ICT to support new ways of teaching and learning.


    • Principles for ICT in teacher development

      Review the five principles below (reference: Guidelines on teacher training and professional development in ICT, 2007):

      1. Educational goals should be the prime focus. The focus should not be on only providing technical ICT skills but the focus should also be on the use of ICT to achieve certain learning outcomes
      2. Teacher development programmes should provide teachers with situational / contextualised learning experiences. Development programmes should be subject specific and relevant to specific learning areas
      3. Teacher development programmes should be needs driven. The development programmes should respond to the specific requirements of each subject
      4. Ongoing teacher support should be consistently available. This support should include pedagogic and technical support as well as the creation of communities of practice
      5. Teacher development should be ongoing due to the changing nature of ICT. Development programmes should always cover the latest technologies and applications.


      Having reviewed the above, now discuss each of these principles with your peers, using the forum discussion tool below. In the discussions be very clear what their implication is for you, in your current context.

      Post at least two comments and two replies. 


    • Reflective journal

      Have another look at the 5th principle and then reflect on the following in your private journal below:

      • Based on your current knowledge and skills, do you think you are able to provide support to teachers?
      • What areas need improvement in order to ensure that you are able to support teachers with ICT pedagogical integration?
      • What are your plans to equip yourself with the required competencies in order for you to be able to meet these teacher support requirements?


    • Teacher development: implementation guidelines

      The guidelines below will provide you with insight into how to support teachers. Familiarise yourselves with them. However, it is critical to note that you need to develop and maintain a close relationship with your teachers to ensure that they feel your support and know that you are working together with them, to achieve their development goals.



    • Forum discussion: Activity 7.2

      Using the forum discussion tool below, discuss, and come to an agreement with your peers, what the main message is on the implementation guidelines.

      Post at least one comment and one reply.


    • Professional framework for digital learning (2017)

      Review the above document on pages 67 - 69 of your course manual. This document details questions with regards to ICT professional development needs. Once you have a good rapport with your teachers, they should complete this questionnaire. The results will provide you with what areas they would need to focus on in their TPAC and how you, as the subject advisor, can assist them in reaching these goals. 


      Assignment: Activity 7.3

      Review the instructions below. Submit your findings by using the assignment submission tool.

      • Request at least five of your teachers to complete the questionnaire
      • Analyse the results 
      • Explain how you will assist these five individuals in their professional development - either as a group or individually
      • Record all your findings in a word document 
      • Upload this document using the submission tool.



    • ePortfolio: Activity 7.4

      If you are able to observe your teachers in their classrooms, the CoPAF lesson observation tool can be handy in identifying what your teachers' challenges and competencies are.


      For this activity, describe what it is that you will be looking for in the CoPAF model? Use the assignment submission tool below to submit your findings. This activity will be added to your ePortfolio.


    • Providing feedback

      As the subject advisor, you need to provide regular individual feedback to your teachers and this can be quite an art! This feedback needs to be constructive and provided in an advisory role the result of which should see a step forward in the teacher's development path.

      Have a look at the two videos below and see if you are able to improve your feedback sessions to your teachers.




    • Use the link below to access the module 7 synchronous meeting. This online meeting will take place at Date | Time. Note: Your attendance is compulsory.

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8: Development of online materials