ICEM&SIIE 2011 Joint Conference - Universidade de Passo Fundo

Proceedings of ICEM&SIIE‘11 Joint Conference
to agree to the presentation of their children on electronic information carriers. The third
reason for the implementation of e-Presentation was the establishment of a methodological
video data base usable both in teacher training and in the course of further training schemes
organised for in-service teachers.
The selection of the respective class
The class or grade selection process was motivated by two factors. The younger the
participating group was the more open they were to the use of novel devices and methods.
Consequently, as these students were expected to spend a longer time in the school they
provided an opportunity for the monitoring of the results of the experiment in the long run.
Furthermore, the digital literacy of the cohort was another crucial consideration as the
experiment required the use of computers on two or three lesson a day. Therefore, students
under age 10 were not included in the experiment. Moreover, participating pupils were
required to possess a basic level computer literacy as learning the use of a computer during
the one year scheduled term of the experiment would have taken up an unduly large
segment of the project. Next, a grade whose teachers have already participated in further
training schemes focusing on the educational application of ICT and computers had to be
chosen. Having examined the curricular and instruction policies of the Demonstration School
and following consultations with the teachers we selected the fifth grade including 4 classes,
120 students, and 29 instructors.
Designing the respective classroom infrastructure
During the designing of the experimental project high priority to the infrastructure of the
respective four classrooms was assigned since the success of the experiment required the
elimination of all technical problems. The CMPC with an established storing and charging
method, including the laptop trolley appeared as an ideal solution. Since the use portable
computers was chosen the only optimal solution was a wireless network capable of serving
upto 120 computers at the same time. Consequently, had to be explored the capability and
bandwidth of the electronic and computer network of the school.
In addition to installing the interactive boards IP cameras and high sensitivity space
microphones had to be placed in an appropriate manner as well. Fortunately, the renewal of
classrooms coincided with the previously mentioned tasks, thus at the end of the remodelling
process fully prepared brand new classrooms were provided to the students.
Organising the training programs
During the designing of the further training process several criteria and expectations had to
be kept in mind. The success of the experimental project primarily depended on the
preparation of teachers for the technological and methodological aspects of the use of these
devices. Placing a high priority on practice one full day for each piece of equipment was
allocated. The first day was dedicated to the detailed introduction of the experimental project,
along with the clarification of the respective expectations and the presentation of recently
purchased ready to use educational materials. The participants had to complete a survey
concerning attitudes towards ICT use. The fifth day of the program included the review and
summary of the respective information including practicing the acquired skills in front of a
class made up of the other participating teachers.
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