Wall Charts, Classroom Charts, Educational Posters, Whiteboard Software, and School Worksheets

• Math
• Wall Charts
• Pocket Posters
• Whiteboard Software
• Worksheets
• Science
• Wall Charts
• Pocket Posters
• Worksheets
• Art and Design
• Wall Charts
• Business
• Wall Charts
• Design and Technology
• Wall Charts
• Drama
• Wall Charts
• English
• Pocket Posters
• Wall Charts
• English Literature
• Wall Charts
• French
• Wall Charts
• Geography
• Wall Charts
• History
• Wall Charts
• Music
• Wall Charts
• Spanish
• Wall Charts

• Computer Studies
• Motivation
• Physical Education
• School Essentials

Incorporating ICT into Classrooms

1 Aug 05

Daydream Education has always had a reputation for attention grabbing educational wall charts which encourage learning by engaging pupils. The chart range featuring over 500 informative topics, covering 13 different subjects throughout the Key Stages, is closely matched to the National Curriculum standards. The range for ICT comes as individual charts covering topics such as “What is ICT'”, “Using a key board” and “Icons” (given away free in this month’s magazine) or as a set of 45. DayDream’s vibrant wall chart range is now supported by dynamic interactive e-learning applications including one specifically on ICT.

Huw Williams, Marketing Manager of Daydream education talks about how to assess the effectiveness of ICT learning activities and how to incorporate visual stimuli to improve ICT lessons, reach out to more children’s learning styles, encourage the children and support learning outcomes.

It has always been important for schools to be innovative and inspire learning. At Daydream we continue to bring inspiration to the classroom through our bright clear wall charts. However, we have recognised the importance of ICT for bringing learning to life and introducing children to life tools.

It is vital however that we try to assess the effectiveness of our ICT lessons. But how can we do this'

Initially when planning ICT lessons it is important that it forms part of a scheme of work. The teacher can then spend time at the beginning of the lesson letting pupils know what the objectives are and what the intended learning outcomes are i.e. what they are hoping to achieve.

It is important that pupils are given open ended tasks and that they get the opportunities to ask probing questions. Although it is important that pupils are given plenty of time on the computers, with the teacher helping individuals or small groups, it is also important that work is set at an appropriate level. Choices of resources offer a good selection of material at different levels. For example the quizzes that come with our interactive wall charts cover all the topics for our full range of ICT charts and can be used on PCs to create differentiation and personalised learning plans.

An ICT lesson is effective if it does not just take place at the computer. Resources that can be included in different formats in the lesson, i.e. on PCs, on interactive whiteboards and as handouts can provide ongoing stimuli.

Ultimately a sure sign of the success of your ICT lesson is the buzz in the classroom. Are the pupils happy and confident trying new things out and do they want to show off the tricks that they have learnt such as shortcuts? Do the pupils want to talk to their friend about what they are doing?

Depending on each child’s preferred learning style some children understand topics better if they are represented visually, therefore we believe that wall charts and software that can be used on large screens can work as an excellent support tool for teaching ICT. Ultimately students and teachers appreciate the way in which they can make explaining and understanding complex concepts easier by bringing the subjects to life.

The user-friendly wall charts use clear vibrant images and a simple format that allows the teachers and pupils to easily interact with text and animations. Further to this, the interface of the interactive wall charts by their nature can be used to explore the subject in further detail. The chart can be shown in full or sections of the chart can be revealed building up the concept and thus developing the comprehension of the pupils. Teacher and Student can interact with each individual item while particular text and images can be turned on and off. This has proven to be particularly effective with SEN pupils.

These are just some ideas on assessing your ICT teaching, for additional information on criteria for good ICT lesson see

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/publications/docs/hb2003/primaryhb03/hmi1359-13.html

Or visit

http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/schemes2/it/itx1b/?view=get