From the The Educational Technology: ICT in Education website
Articles on e-learning and information & communication technology containing practical advice

Leading & Managing Educational Technology
Ten ways to always be ready for an ICT inspection
By Terry Freedman
Fri, 14 Dec 2007, 06:50

As reported in the December 2007 issue of Computers in Classrooms (publication date 18th December), the UK's inspection body is toying with the idea of no-notice inspections.

In my opinion, that's an excellent idea, and nothing to be afraid of. In this article I suggest ten ways in which the ICT (educational technology) subject leader can be ever-ready for a surprise inspection.
In no particular order:

  • Adopt a scheme of work which your entire team follows.

  • Know how the pupils are doing, and where the issues are.

  • Have a practical plan for addressing the issues.

  • Ensure that each pupil knows how she is doing, and how to improve.

  • Ensure that the work is challenging, ie slightly beyond the pupils' comfort zone.

  • Set homework, and make the homework an integral part of the course.

  • Know your area: the pupil:computer ratio, how much budget you have, what you have spent it on, and so on.

  • Ensure that all members of your team contribute to unit and lesson preparation, resource creation and leading on training.

  • Ensure that each member of your team has plenty of opportunities for taking on a leadership role.

  • Know how ICT fits into the school development plan, and how it could be better integrated into the life of the school.
What do you think of these ideas? Have your say here.

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© Terry Freedman Fri, 14 Dec 2007