Meeting the requirements of the initial teacher training national curriculum for the use of information and communications technology in subject teaching, with one year's cohort of postgraduate primary trainees

Abstract

This article reports on a small-scale investigation into the effectiveness of a new information and communications technology (ICT) module for Postgraduate Certificate of Education primary trainees. The trainees are audited and later surveyed. Those involved with training in the school/university partnership are also questioned about the trainees' use of ICT in the classroom. A survey of attitude towards the use of ICT in primary schools gives interesting results which in many ways reinforce the expectations of this type of investigation. Two definitions of the usefulness of work with computers in the primary school are offered: for future functionality, and for wider learning benefits. The article concludes that the module was effective, but with certain provisos. The notions of future functionality and wider learning benefits are highlighted as an area for further investigation with a view to recommending more explicit involvement of trainees and with more well-defined, subject-centred work in ICT