Effective Learning in Early Childhood Education? The Impact of the ECE ICT PL Programme: A Synthesis Report

Recommendations from services

Services were asked to provide recommendations for others embarking on a similar journey of exploration involving ICT for teaching and learning. The following represents the frequently mentioned suggestions.

• Being a ‘techie’ type of person is not as important as having a willingness to learn new things, do things in a different way, give things a go and have fun.
• A team-wide commitment is necessary to ensure an ICT-rich culture is supported in any educational context.
• It is easy to get distracted by the big, bright and shiny world of digital tools. Consider carefully whether they will all add depth to learning experiences or will be merely a novelty.
• Planned and strategic induction procedures for new teachers to climb on board will ensure the culture is not lost.
• Discuss changes with the service community to ensure greater participation and support for innovation and change.
• Ensure cybersafety education for all teachers goes hand-in-hand with the exploration of technology.
• Role model cybersafety practices, advocate for cyber-citizenship and keep parents informed about how cybersafety is addressed.
• Participating in the development of policies and procedures around cybersafety will help teachers/adults to clarify their understandings of areas of potential concern.
• Be prepared to learn from children.
• Adopt a buddy system within staff to build ICT capability.
• Ensure that there is strategic planning to address funding for ICT equipment, maintenance and upgrading as well as teacher professional development.
• Take change slowly so that whatever is begun is sustainable.
• If considering blogs or e-portfolios, be prepared to trial these first for manageability – with teachers and/or with a small group of children.