The curricular integration of information technology in the secondary school system

Coady, Michael A. (1997) The curricular integration of information technology in the secondary school system. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (4MB)

Abstract

The purpose of the internship, conducted through the Memorial University of Newfoundland Harlow campus, was to study the British Education System and its approach to integration of Information Technology (IT) in and across the curriculum. The intention was to furnish insights that may have some application to the curricular integration of IT in Newfoundland and Labrador schools. -- Chapter One of the internship report briefly examines the present condition and role of IT in the Provincial curriculum and offers some background to the place of IT in British education and curriculum. It also outlines the objectives for the internship and the activities undertaken. -- Chapter Two consists of a critical and reflective journal of information gathered and insights gained during the internship placement and the research process. -- Chapter Three contains a summary of the research component of the internship. It examines two approaches taken to the curricular integration of Information Technology in British schools (particularly in the two schools studied): a subject-integrated or totally cross-curricular approach and a discrete subject approach. -- Interviews were conducted with department heads and lead teachers in the integration of IT at two schools of the Essex County Education Authority. A standardized list of interview questions was used. Data collection was triangulated using sources such as classroom observation and document collection. Though there was less focus on classroom observation the collection of documents was fairly extensive. Relevant and useful information was gathered from documents published by one of Britain's leading organizations in the field of educational technology, the National Council for Educational Technology, accessed through Internet searches. -- Though further research is required to quantify the results, this investigation contends that a combination of these approaches would offer the most effective method for the teaching and application of IT skills within the curriculum.

Actions (login required)

View Item