ICT Strategy for Early Years
Early Learning, Forward Thinking: spreading the word
The policy framework launched in 2003 aims to highlight the relevance of ICT in the early years and promote use of technologies in this setting. In order to implement the policy framework and the accompanying support materials, a key focus of the strategy has been staff development. This aims to increase the confidence of practitioners in their use of ICT and give them time to consider its value in their setting and its potential as a means of enhancing the learning of each child.
Early Years Masterclass: championing the cause
Early Years Masterclass continues to be an effective means of driving forward the ICT strategy across Scotland. This challenging but enjoyable four-day residential course provides a mixture of pedagogy and skills-based workshops alongside the opportunity to develop a plan for embedding ICT into the active nursery curriculum.
The course has now been attended by 150 delegates, many of whom have said that they have gone away more convinced that ICT has a place within the nursery environment. More importantly, there are now at least two 'Masterclassers' in each local authority who have the opportunity to be involved in promoting ICT at an authority level. These provide us with a network of ICT 'champions' who can spread good early years ICT practice across Scotland. This is set to continue over the next year, with two more Masterclass courses being offered later in 2005.
Training the Trainers: sharing the skills
Coupled with this, the Training the Trainers programme is ensuring that the aims of the strategy are cascaded across all early years staff, with all practitioners being given the opportunity to learn and develop new ICT skills, reflect on the relevance of ICT in their work and discover new ways of enhancing their teaching.
Great day - I am gaining the confidence I need to implement ICT in my nursery.
a practitioner's response to the training.
Supported by funding from SEED, each authority has put into place a programme of training. To date, 235 early years staff across Scotland have attended a three-day training course run by Learning and Teaching Scotland to introduce them to principles and skill modules which they will then deliver to other practitioners in their authority.
This process is set to continue over the next year, and staff are enjoying the opportunity to develop ICT proficiency in a context which is solely focused on the early years.
Staff commitment: putting ICT into practice
As we approach the third year of the Early Learning, Forward Thinking project, it is time to reflect on the progress of the Early Years ICT strategy, evaluate achievements and look towards the future. It is encouraging to see the enthusiasm of both staff and children as a greater awareness of ICT and its potential for learning gradually finds its way into more of our early years establishments.
Early years practitioners are constantly on the lookout for new ideas and resources to enhance learning and provide motivation for the children in their care. By raising the profile of ICT as another tool to develop children's learning, Early Learning, Forward Thinking has been welcomed by staff who are keen to develop in this area.
The training has helped us use ICT effectively to extend the children's learning in all five key aspects of the curriculum
a nursery teacher
They have responded to the call to prepare children for a changing world, and have enjoyed integrating ICT into all areas of the curriculum and nursery life.
As a result of raising the profile of ICT in the Early Years through the staff development that is taking place, we see more and more imaginative uses of technology both inside and outside the playroom. The training programme is but an introduction to the potential of ICT in all its forms: it is the practitioners who take these ideas and run with them. It is encouraging to see people applying their new skills in new and interesting ways, always with the aim of enriching the experiences of the children.
Has learning and teaching got its fun factor back?
a Masterclass delegate
ICT is being increasingly employed in all areas of the curriculum. Digital cameras and videos are being more widely used by both children and adults to record and develop learning in a whole range of contexts. Interactions of all kinds have been stimulated by the use of ICT in role play, language activities and social games. Children are developing spatial awareness and cognitive skills by their use of programmable toys. ICT is being used to support expressive and aesthetic development through music and art. Computers are being used imaginatively as a tool in the nursery, and we are finding new uses for scanners and other peripherals. The list is endless, but it highlights the resourcefulness of practitioners and their commitment to finding new ways of teaching and learning.
The way forward: sharing ideas
Over the coming year at LT Scotland, we hope to offer further support in other areas of technology. Further skills training and guidance materials will largely be based on comments and ideas from early years practitioners.
We hope to begin to share some of the good work that has been going on in a number of ways. For this we will be relying on feedback from those implementing ICT in their early years centres.
If this includes you, do get in touch and let us know how technology is being utilised in your setting, or how you think the skills of staff could be developed. You can help us to ensure that the support given is relevant and inspirational.
Contact the Early Years ICT team at EarlyYearsICT@LTScotland.org.uk
ICT Strategy
Find out more about the ICT Strategy for Early Years and 'Early Learning, Forward Thinking', the ICT policy framework.