Question 1:
The integration of technology in schools requires careful planning. The educational leader has an important role to play in planning for technology. He or she ensures that resources are brought together in order to develop a technology plan.
(a) Developing a technology plan for the school is more than providing for the acquisition of computers and software. A typical Technology Plan has five areas of interest: Curriculum integration, Professional development, Infrastructure, hardware, technical support and software, Funding and budgeting, and Monitoring and evaluation.
(b) Suppose that your school wishes to implement one of the goals of the National Curriculum Framework of using ICT as a teaching and learning tool in your subject area. As the head of department, you have been entrusted with the task of developing a technology plan for your department.
(i) Describe how you would proceed to develop the technology plan.
(ii) Outline a typical format of a technology plan.
Question 2:
Online resources have enormous potentials for use in education. Several of these resources can be used as teaching and learning platforms. One category of online resources comprises the Web 2.0 tools. You, as aspiring educational leaders, should be familiar with Web 2.0 tools and explore their educational benefits for your students at school.
(a) What is meant by the term ‘Web 2.0’?
(b) Several Web 2.0 tools are available on the Internet that can be of value for teachers and students. Unlocking the potentials of these tools depends on the ability of the teachers to identify, use, evaluate, and promote them to enhance and support instruction. Discuss the educational potentials of the following Web 2.0 tools:
(i) Podcasts
(ii) Virtual classrooms
(iii) Wiki
(iv) Blog
(v) Online groups
(vi) Social Networks