Enhancing teaching with technology

Two USQ academics are helping shape the future training of Australian teachers to ensure they can use technology in the classroom to support teaching and learning.

Associate Professor Romina Jamieson-Proctor, from Hervey Bay, and Toowoomba’s Assoc Prof Peter Albion are members of a nation-wide reference committee set up by the Federal Government to address the pressing issue of teaching future teachers how to use technology in the classroom.

The two USQ representatives are joined by academics from 30 of Australia’s universities on the committee.

'The government has allocated $7.8 million to ensure education graduates, who are our next generation of teachers, have the technological and pedagogical know how to use digital technologies such as iPods, iPads, smartphones and interactive white boards to support student learning,' Associate Professor Jamieson-Proctor said.

'The consortium of Australian universities that educate teachers are all in agreement that graduates need to meet minimum ICT standards to teach effectively in 21st Century classrooms.

'We need to ensure that our graduate teachers are ready to integrate 21st Century tools into the 21st Century curriculum which the Federal Government is currently developing.'

Teachers who are expert users of ICT will be seconded to help universities update teaching courses so that new teachers graduate with the necessary ICT skills.

The focus will initially be on the use of ICT in the curriculum areas of English, Mathematics, Science and History.
The project is being managed by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council for the Australian Council of Deans of Education.