In this exercise we are going to examine different views about the influence of wider contextual factors in the document such as:
Government and District policies
Many countries such as Finland, Indonesia, Russia & Mexico have shown support for innovative teaching & learning by re-writng curriculum guidelines with a focus on ICT & 21st century skills.
However, there needs to be a better way to turn policy into practice within the classrooms. When teachers lack guidance, they will be less likely to use ICT in an interdisciplinary context.
Quality of Leadership at all levels
Innovative teaching happens more in schools with a school‐wide culture that supports innovation. Reports from all countries recognize school leadership as a key factor for implementing school‐level innovation. This support can come in the form of encouragement, time and material resources, and professional development, all aligned to a clear and consistent vision.
Infrastructure
When we asked teachers about the biggest barriers to using ICT in their teaching, the lack of
student access in classrooms was the runaway leader
Professional Development and Professional Learning Communities
In ITL research findings, teachers expressed the need to have practical professional development that:
1) help them integrate innovative practices into their teaching;
2) goes beyond the technical aspects of ICT to offer explicit guidance on its pedagogical purposes and uses; and
3) aligns with teacher needs (driven bottom‐up rather than top‐down).