Aimed at Primary teachers undertaking professional development
and students in initial teacher training, this is a timely book considering the current
focus on ICT training for all teachers. The Introduction is a thoughtful essay on the
place of ICT (including a section titled IT or ICT?) in teaching and learning, putting
some emphasis on the legacy hardware and software most schools have and how this must not
be swept aside. Indeed the whole book can be viewed as a celebration of what can be
achieved with some fairly basic equipment. That said, it does have an
up to date chapter on the Internet as well as references to wordprocessors with speech
facility and other more recent innovations.
There are some omissions, which the author outlines, such as the use of Integrated
Learning Systems and the enabling role of ICT in special education. Otherwise the coverage
is fairly comprehensive, reflecting the QCA Scheme of Work and including ways in which
activities have been differentiated. The author obviously has a great deal of experience
using overlay keyboards; there is a whole chapter devoted to them and several references
throughout other chapters.
Many teachers are concerned about the place of ICT in Numeracy and Literacy; this is
well covered in several chapters giving insights into how children across both Key Stages
can be challenged and supported in their learning. It also addresses the knotty problem of
whole class teaching with a single computer by giving real life examples of different ways
of organising and managing the activities.
Interestingly whilst most other publications concerning ICT bend over backwards to be
"platform independent" and to refer to "generic software" Helen Smith
talks about specific programs. This is not as limiting as it might seem as she makes
points about the ways in which the application was used to enhance children's learning
and, especially if you know your software well enough, it is possible to recognise how
these may be applied in the context of your classroom.
For me as an IT Co-Ordinator/ICT Manager the book worked on several levels; it made me
feel I am on the right track and using ICT for the right reasons; it has strengthened some
of my arguments when faced with teachers who are less than enthusiastic when it comes to
ICT; it has given me new ideas to try. The mix of well-documented references and verbatim
classroom reports would certainly make it useful for those writing essays and
assignments.
