1. - Latvijas Universitāte

I. Margeviča, Ē. Grinbergs. Mediju izmantošana Rīgas Valsts tehnikuma attīstībai 99
the lack of time and resources. The factors identified as promoting the use of technology
are the support from colleagues and the administration.
Despite the fact that the majority of teachers have a positive attitude towards using
new technologies in the study process and they show understanding of the advantages
of their use, the greatest part still continue using the traditional media (blackboard,
textbooks).
The authors of the article believe that intensive use of the new technologies in
the study process should not be an aim in itself; their main value is the opportunity to
make education accessible to everyone and to improve every person’s competences, thus
increasing the quality of education and improving the communication among teachers,
students, and parents. RSVS has set the goal of integrating gradually the new media in
the entire process of studies, administration, and the development of the school.
Summarizing the teachers’ recommendations regarding a more intensive use of new
technologies at RSVS, it is possible to single out several groups.
1) Exchange of experience, support from colleagues, and training. To form
support teams, teachers themselves should organize workshops about the new
technologies and discussions about the new technologies, their integration in
the study process; organize video conferences with other schools (also abroad)
to exchange the experience.
2) Infrastructure and personal computers for teachers. To ensure adequate
infrastructure for a broader and more effective use of ICT at RSVS, thus
improving the quality and effectiveness of education, it is necessary to provide
a larger number of teachers with personal computers and the latest software.
3) Special activities: competitions or events with the participation of teacher and
student teams as well as mixed teams at which everyone can demonstrate how
to use the new technologies in the study process. This will encourage every
teacher to learn of the opportunities of electronic resource use, including the
development of multi-media study materials for the lectures.
Analyzing the teachers’ recommendations and their personal experience, the authors
conclude that the necessary activities include formulating the vision of the school;
encouraging teachers and students to develop a model for promoting the use of new
technologies; ensuring individual support; material rewards for teachers who use ICT
successfully in their lectures; encouraging a positive attitude towards the use of new
technologies.
The new media technologies open up opportunities for students and teachers alike:
innovative approaches to implementing projects, virtual mobility, and cooperation with
similar educational institutions abroad. The authors of the article are convinced that
by encouraging teachers to become the change agents, it is possible to initiate changes
in educational institutions.