Alignment for ICT Use

	Children, on-line learning and authentic teaching skills in primary education
	Alignment for ICT Use

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Alignment for ICT Use
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Alignment
Educational Alignment
System Alignment

The ideal use of ICT involves activities that are

purposeful
desirable
acceptable
feasible
within the available window of opportunity (times, places, interests & attention)

Alignment of elements

This means that as well as the activities themselves consideration needs to be given to purposes and 'policies'. Indeed it is an early finding of this project that to ensure successful and productive activities it is essential to align

purposes
policies and
practices

For educational reasons the ideal practices will take into consideration

learning needs
learning styles

Implications of new technology

Technology can be used to reshape activities, products and experiences. Thus the use of new technology will have an impact on what is appropriate in terms of policies. Also technology may change what is possible which may well have implications for the purposes. (See above diagram)

System alignment

Purposes, policies and practices exist at, across, and between all levels of any organisation. Any system exists to (support) help ensure the success of all its components and thus the achievement of outcomes that match its goals and purposes. Thus it is essential to achieve alignment through the organisation. This alignment will assist in reporting and enabling as well as supporting:

Thus insightful system alignment can lead to

creation of useful products
meaningful experiences, and
valuable learning for all

Alignment and Scaffolding

A fundamental use of ICT is to scaffold the learning activities of students. Where the use of ICT is incorporated into learning activities in class programs the school/system should provide scaffolding that will support this end. This will require consideration at each of three levels regarding the uses to be made of ICT.

System/school (governance, provision & application)
Class (notions of teaching and learning and actual practices)
Teaching and learning activities (incorporation of ICT)

The alignment between these three levels will help improve the

scaffolding of in-class use of ICT, and
the use of ICT to scaffold student learning