As a consequence of these government initiatives, teachers are being required to make changes to their professional practice. Even today few initial teacher training programmes cover the use of computers in classrooms adequately. In cases where training institutions are up to date, teachers still require regular top up training during their service. In recognition of these issues in the UK, teachers were engaged on the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) ICT training for Teachers and School Librarians from 1999-2003. This national training programme promoted the use of computers in the classroom. The most recent evaluation suggests that some teachers were unable to take effective advantage of this offer to concentrate on pedagogy because their basic ICT skills level was not high enough. (Preston 2004)
This evaluation focuses on “ECDL for Educators: ICT skills training in context”, a course which can be applied internationally to raise computer skills levels by using contextual exercises that are of relevance to the teachers.The course provides teachers, teaching assistants and other educators with an internationally recognised accreditation of their ICT competency. The syllabus is mapped against version 3 and version 4 of the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL), which is an internationally recognised computer skills qualification. Another version of this course used outside Europe is called the International Computer Driving Licence. The “ECDL Foundation” is the global governing body for ECDL and ICDL member countries. The British Computer Society, is the appointed ECDL licensee for the UK.
The Formative Evaluation, published January 2005, was commissioned by Aston Swann with the support of the British Computer Society. This interim report, December 2003, explores early training issues and defines the areas to be researched in depth.
Click here for the Interim Evaluation, December 2003Click here for the Formative Evaluation, January 2005
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