d.
Developing Your Own Knowledge of the Resources
Having
made decisions about using some of the resources and opportunities
in tandem, it is important for the teacher in the case study to
get to know the resources well enough to feel confident about
using them in the classroom. It is also important that the pupils
will feel comfortable about using resources.
We
can focus on this with a specific exercise. Searching the World
Wide Web for sites about document layout could lead the student
into new avenues re: aspects of document design and layout. As
an example, consider the database
materials provided by SBOLP (accessed in the IT
Skills section).
When
you have studied them, answer the following questions - just to
give you some focus to begin with:
-
The text document has a number of prearranged 'hyperlinks' in
it. What is their purpose and what effect do you think they
will have on students learning how to use ICT effectively?
- Linked
documents on Database design issues might contain samples of
actual databases, or video footage illustrating the process
of producing documents through the ages. What purpose do you
see these having in the way you would use the material to teach
the subject?
-
Although the IT Skills
section contain both instructions and tasks for using a database
(for example), you might want to develop some of these yourself,
or even copy text from the resource and edit it for your own
groups. You are perfectly entitled to do this, so what would
you want to do to develop the materials you have and what reasons
would you have for changing the materials?
When
you have looked at the material in light of these questions, and
perhaps modified some worksheets of your own to go with the source
material, you should discuss with your mentor what you want to
do with the resource in the classroom. This can be done in a mentor
visit, over the telephone or by e-mail, and should serve merely
to satisfy you that you are on the right track with your use of
the materials.
 e.
Planning the Work of Learners
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