PL 12/08: Replace, separate and integrate

Teaching is moving - slowly - from paper to digital technology.

Replacement

The first step is replacement:

• word processors replace typewriters
• e-mail replaces letters
• Powerpoint slides replace plastic foils

Writing, communication and presentation speeds up - but the organization of work remains the same as before.

Separation

The second step is separation:

• separate areas - called computer labs - are set up
• separate periods - “computer time” - for working digitally are included in the schedule
• separate persons - “ICT teachers” - are employed to teach data subjects
• separate persons - “computer boys” (and girls) - are employed to service the computer network

The teaching and learning environment is, in other words - divided. In the traditional area, work goes on as before. In the digital area, new ways of working are tried out.

Integration

The third step is integration:

• computers and web access are available everywhere
• computers and web access are available at any time
• the web offers a vast range of materials for study, experimentation and virtual field trips
• Web tools allow students and teachers to produce new materials continuously
• teaching, learning, planning and leadership accept and build on the new digital environment

Easy, difficult, hard

The first step is rather easy. The second step is more difficult. The old and the new fight for resources: space, time, love and care.

The third step is hard, since it requires a change of principles, leadership and power.

In the digital environment many traditional ways of working lose their purpose. They must be phased out - to give space and time for the new.

Resources

• Lorcan Dempsey. Research Repository Systems. Research must also adapt to the digital environment …