FDG109 - Extending Subject Knowledge in ICT

A (very brief) overview of some of the main national initiatives to develop the use of ICT in schools

Below are the notes I put on the board in session 2. To meet outcome 1 of the module you may write a "Mini-essay" to show that you have knowledge of "national initiatives". This could be a brief summary of some/all of those listed below (and maybe others that you've discovered from your own reading)- or concentrate in detail on one. The knowledge could be displayed in other ways (e.g by using PowerPoint).

If you can lift what you write above the purely descriptive, then you will gain additional marks. Relating/discussing how the initiatives have effected/are effecting your school is also a way to gain marks - for example one of the group said that her school subscribed to an on-line resource called Esspresso. If this was paid for by eLearning credits (eLCs) - will the school still be able to afford the subscription? How did your school spend its eLCs - has software been purchased that no-one uses/know how to use?

Don't forget to show evidence of further reading www.teachernet.gov.uk/ could be a place to start - but don't rely on just one source - have a look at the links on the session 1 and 2 pages and make use of those listed on the Resources page.

• DTI early 80s funded MEP in secondary & Computers for Schools in primary
• 1st national curriculum - IT bundled with DT
• National Grid for Learning - an umberella name which included: money for connecting schools to Internet (through Regional Broadband Consortia RGBs eg CLEO NWLG) - for computers, NOF training for teachers, laptops for teachers & a web "portal"
• ICT for schools grant 2003 - ?
• e Learning credits
• Current - Harnessing Technolgy grant - learning platforms