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<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2>Dear IS
Colleagues,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2>I am aware that ICT is to be integrated
into all KLAs as part of VELS. I know IT is no longer strictly a KLA. The
situation still remains, who is going to teach the basic skills of ICT? The
usual answers are that these will be covered in various KLA units, teachers will
implement programmes designed to teach the basic ICT skills etc..etc. May I
suggest that this is a recipe for disaster? Ideally,the notion that ICT skills
are introduced as require into units of study is great...ideally!! Experience
shows that all sorts of excuses emerge from many teachers when it comes to
teaching basic IT skills....couldn't book a computer room...we ran out of
time...... I am not suggesting that teachers are not well intentioned, but for
many the teaching of basic ICT skills is something out of their comfort
zone.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2>We (as a technology faculty) still exist at
the school I work in. I have managed to maintain several IT units in our
vertical years 8-10 curriculum. We have set up a "foundation" unit that will be
compulory for all students (it is a level 5 CSF unit). We will teach what we
consider as basic knowledge and skills, eg. basics of hardware, word-processing,
spreadsheets, etc, digital property rights etc. Our view is that at least
teachers in "other" KLAs will not have to teach the basic skills but rather
apply the basic skills and if necessary introduce extension ICT skills as
required. The foundation unit will be taught by IT staff in a consistent manner,
using IT formats and conventions. It was amazing to see the objections some KLAs
had to this idea...all of a sudden their staff were going to become
teachers of basic ICT skills, as long as the IT people told them what these
skills were....a bit of PD here and there and hey, what's the
problem?!!!"</FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2>For the present, we have managed to survive
in this VELS environment, but for how long? We need to develop IT units that
interest students. Our foundation unit has to be "spot on" in terms of the basic
skills it teaches.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2>I am interested in what is happening in
this area in your schools...or, as it is put in Parliament, "is the minister
aware of an alternative policies?"</FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2>...Be passionate about
IT.......</FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2>Regards,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr> </DIV></DIV>
<DIV id=idSignature79448 dir=ltr><PRE>Frank Merlino
Technology (IT and Systems) Co-ordinator
Web Site Manager
St. Joseph's College
135 Aphrasia St, Newtown
Geelong, Victoria, Australia, 3219
Phone: 03 52 268100 </PRE></DIV></BODY></HTML>