01 - Department of Education and Communities - NSW Government

EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AND LEARNINGInternet and e-mail facilities andthe introduction to keyboard skillsand word processing.Ninety seven per cent ofparticipants affirmed the highquality of their TILT facilitator indelivering the program, while 74per cent were very pleased with thefollow-up support provided by theirTILT facilitator.The majority of respondentsreported that their confidence inusing computers had increased asa result of TILT and that they feltmore confident about usingcomputers with their students.These respondents described theirown gains in self-esteem andenjoyment when using computersand a subsequent reduction in fearand anxiety.Just over 40 per cent of respondentsfelt more knowledgeable aboutusing a computer and varioussoftware applications and weremore aware of the applications forcomputer technology in theclassroom.Participants were invited tocomment on any aspect of theiradministration or teaching whichhad changed as a result of theirparticipation in TILT. The mostfrequently reported change was inthe teachers’ use of wordprocessing for administration andthe planned use of computertechnology with their students.TILT Hub Groups aimed tofacilitate the establishment ofteacher networks for TILTparticipants. An amount of $313per participant was allocated toschools with an extra $500 forteachers undertaking a hub groupcoordination role. The programencouraged TILT graduates tocontinue developing and extendingtheir technological skills as well asenabling teachers to shareexperiences, ideas and solutions toproblems.A TILT Internet Site wasestablished to provide TILTparticipants with access toadditional technology supportmaterials and on-line assistance. Itincludes information on creating aweb page, Internet searchingtechniques, creating overlays forconcept keyboards, SpecialEducation references, computerterminology and teaching/learningideas and activities.The site is being updated toinclude TILT extension activitiesand a discussion forum whereparticipants can share ideas andexperiences.Two CD-ROMS, Internet on aStick and Future Directions wereproduced as part of the TILTfacilitator’s kit to support TILTworkshop activities. The firstprovides the opportunity forparticipants to develop the skillsassociated with the Internet and thesecond provides participants withaccess to a variety of resources usedto create multimedia presentations.The TILT satellite broadcastswere reproduced on video anddistributed to TILT facilitators foruse by participants. In addition, theone hour broadcasts were re-editedfor broadcasting as 30 minuteprograms on SBS TVED. Theseprograms created Australia-wideinterest from teachers, parents andcommunity members evidenced byrequests for information followingeach broadcast.Parent Involvement inSupporting Learningthrough TechnologySupporting Learning ThroughTechnology: A Parent Packagewas developed for parents byparents as a project in the NationalProfessional Development Program. Itaims to support, consolidate andimprove student learning by}Internet enabled me to link with schoolsin Australia and overseas to promote LOTEexperiences and to access overseas mediaarticles.~LOTE Teachermetropolitan high school} TILT program has given me theconfidence and basic knowledge to goforward and expand the use of technologyin our Creative Arts faculty. I will be ableto encourage and lead other teachers in theuse of our computer music programs andam already helping senior music studentswith their classroom work.~Advanced Skills Teachernon-metropolitan high school}I am definitely more conscious of theneed for students (including many in Year12) to improve their technology skills andto feel more comfortable with technology,It has also given me greater variety inlearning options for students.~Head Teachernon-metropolitan high school}the wordprocessing has enabled me to getlots of work completed and I’ll now be ableto guide children through this.~Year 2 Teachernon-metropolitan primary school}Hands-on using wordprocessing andvarious programs have given meconfidence to use computers in theclassroom computer room with children.~Teachermetropolitan primary school}I found the spreadsheets useful for me,as the level of my students is not up to usingother facilities.~Executive TeacherSpecial Educationmetropolitan primary school}Prior to TILT, I had little computerknowledge and competence. TILT hasbroadened my experience and increasedmy confidence.~Teachermetropolitan high schoolDSE Annual Report 1997 41