Who really needs policy and why is it important?

That's what GeSCI's CEO Jyrki Pulkkinen asked ministers, advisers, ICT specialists and anyone who was paying attention, in his widely read blog last September.

So who does need it? And why is it important?

To understand this you must first think about what your vision for ICT in Teacher Professional Development (TPD) for your country would be. Do you have a vision for ICT TPD for your country? What is it?

More importantly, what kind of POLICY will allow your country to realise that vision for every teacher and learner within its borders?

The good news is that by the end of this webquest you will be able to answer all of these questions! You will also be able to respond to Jyrki's blog!

The Purpose

The purpose of this webquest is to challenge you to develop a 3 year Policy and Vision Strategy for ICT Use in Teacher Professional Development in your country.

So what is Policy?

A plan or course of action, as of a government, political party, or business, intended to influence and determine decisions, actions, and other matters
The Dictionary

And what does Policy do?

Policy bridges the gap between the vision of where we want to be and the plans that enable us to get there. For governments, policy is a tool to promote national vision and the basis for the legislation and regulation through which it is implemented.
Excerpt from "What is Policy?" by Kate Wild, APC

And why is Policy important?

Because the provision of technology alone will not optimally harness the potential of ICTs to improve access, student achievement and the transformation of teaching and learning. To take full advantage of the different technologies and to direct their maximum use for the benefit of all students, there needs to be a clear framework which sets the scene and provides the enabling environment for technologies to be integrated, deployed and used to their fullest.The ICT in Education policy can provide such a framework.
Excerpt from GeSCI's ICT & the Third Revolution in Education Policy by Patti Swarts

Back to Jyrkis' question - Who really needs policy and why is it important? By the end of this webquest you will be able to tell Jyrki not only who needs an ICT TPD policy in your country but will also be able to tell describe a strategy to develop that policy and to operationalise it.

Beginning your WebQuest

Ensure that there are 5 people in your group

To ensure that your Vision and Policy Strategy considers the perspective of a cross-sector of important stakeholders you will each assume a role for this task.

This is the role you are assuming for the entire task so be sure to read the person's profile carefully and to adopt their priorities and focus as described in the Role Playing document.

  • Select one person to assume the role of the Deputy Permanent Secretary of Education
  • Select one person to assume the role of Director of Teacher Education
  • Select one person to assume the role of a Rural Secondary School Teacher
  • Select one person to assume the role of an ICT Specialist from the Private sector
  • Select one person to assume the role of a High Level Official from the Ministry of Finance

Requirements

In order to complete this task ensure that you have:

  • Access to a computer. Every person in the group must have access to a computer
  • Internet connectivity. Every person in the group must have an internet connection before beginning this assignment
  • Access to a Flip video recording device. Each group will be given one flip camera fo the duration of the task. See this video for further instruction on how to creatively use the Flip Camera.

You are ready to begin your webquest!!

The Task

Your task as a group is to develop a 3 year Policy and Vision Strategy for ICT TPD for your country.

  • You will work collaboratively to develop your strategy.
  • You will undertake a number of activities that will gradually build your understanding of what the most important elements in an ICT TPD Policy are.
  • You will be required to assimilate new information about your country and other countries.
  • You will be required to develop a vision for your country which will inform your strategy.
  • You will also be required to carefully plan your presentation to the wider group and to reflect on each task before you move on to the next.
  • You will use ICTs througout this process. By using ICTs to engage in this learning process you will have an opportunity to experience the both the benefits and challenges of learning through ICTs.
  • You will work collaborativelyt to complete the task with each of you assuming different responsibilites for parts of the task

Enjoy!

Enjoy this new learning experience because it is somethign that you can introduce in your own work environment at a later date.

Explore!

Don't just rely on the resources that we have provided. We are sure you know of other resources that will be equally if not more helpful to you.

Speak up!

Everyone should contribute to this task. There is no leader and there is no definitive right and wrong. Everyone has something to say so say it!

Let the rubric be your guide!

The evaluation of this task will be based on this rubric. Use the rubric to guide you through the activities. It will help you to complete the task effectively.

Don't forget the presentation!

You will present your findings to the wider group and seek feedback from them on the quality of your presentation, understanding and findings.

Good luck and have fun!

The Process

Here's where the work really begins!

You will be guided through each activity until you achieve your outcome. Remember to work collaborativley because this will make your task easier.

On completion of the task you will have an ICT TPD Policy strategy which you can share with the wider workshop group and with your colleagues and peers.

So let's begin!

Task 1. Review the ICT TPD Matrix

Review and discuss the the ICT TPD matrix with your group. Also read the ICT TPD framework presentation to learn more about how the matrix was developed.

You may use the following questions as a guide:

  • What do you understand by emerging?
  • What do you understand by applying?
  • What do you understand by infusing?
  • What do you understand by transforming?
  • Are these terms relevant to your country context?
  • Do you think the matrix is useful tool? Why?

The Rural Primary School Teacher will record your discussion

You have developed an understanding of what is meant by emerging, applying, infusing and transforming in the context of ICTs and Teacher Professional Development.

Now it is time to learn how these concepts are applied by looking at Case Studies from other countries.

Task 2. Review the ICT TPD Case Studies

Review the ICT TPD Case Studies from Ireland, Singapore and Africa.

Discuss what stage Ireland, Singapore and Africa are at with the group

  • Do Ireland or Singapore have ICT in Education policies in place?
  • What African countries have ICT in Education policies in place?
  • Does your country situation differ to that of the African example? If so, how?
  • What part of the exercise did you find most challenging and why?

You have considered the level of progress that other countries are making in ICT TPD.

Now it's time to determine what stage your country's Policy and Vision for ICT TPD is at.

Task 3. Determine what stage your country is at

With your group undertake the ICT TPD Policy and Vision Country Audit to determine what stage your country is at

When you have a completed the exercise discuss your findings.

You may use the following questions as a guide:

  • Did you find it easy or difficult to determine what stage your country is at in terms of Policy and Vision for ICT TPD?
  • How challenging was it to provide a reason for your choices?
  • Was there disagreement in the group? If so, how did you reach a consensus?If not, did this surprise you?

The ICT Specialist from the private sector will record your discussion

You have determined what stage your country's ICT TPD Policy and Vision is at

You are now are ready to conduct a country ICT TPD audit.

Task 4. ICT TPD Country Aduit

Complete the ICT TPD Country Audit

When you have completed the audit compare your findings with the other group members. You must reach a consensus on where your country is at.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary of Education will record your discussion

You have now reached an agreement on what stage your country is at in terms of pedagogy, curriculum,assessment and organisation and administration, ICT and Professional Development.

You are now ready to choose three priority areas for your Policy and Vision Strategy.

Task 5. Choose your priorities

State to the group which three components you consider to be priorities for your 3 year ICT TPD Policy and Vision Strategy

As a group agree what the three priorities are

The Director of Teacher Education will record your discussion

You have decided what your three priority areas are for your 3 year Policy and Vision Strategy.

Now you are ready to describe your Policy Vision for ICT TPD in your country!

Task 6. Write your ICT TPD Policy Vision Statement

Appoint one member of the group to lead the Vision Statement exercise

This person will listen to group member's ideas and write the final version of the vision statement.

  • Decide with your group what elements of ICT TPD the vision statement needs to include.
  • Help the leader of the Vision exercise to write the vision statement.
  • Read aloud the vision statement when it is finished.

The Rural Primary School Teacher will record each member of the group reading the vision statement.

You have now described your vision for your country's ICT TPD Policy. Well done! You have achieved a great deal so far and are nearing the finish line.

You are now ready to develop your ICT TPD Policy Strategy.

Task 7. Develop your ICT TPD Policy Strategy

Split into two groups

  • The group of two will complete the Policy and Vision component of the ICT TPD Planning Template.
  • The remaining group of three will complete the Three Priority Components of the same ICT TPD Planning Template.

You have now developed your ICT TPD Policy Strategy and the strategy for the three components you chose earlier.

You are now ready to see if your ICT TPD Policy Strategy includes the three priority components.

Task 8. Compare your strategies

The two member group are to present their completed ICT TPD Policy and Vision strategy to the group.

The three member group are to present their completed ICT TPD Three Component Strategy to the group.

Consider the following with your group:

  • Are the three prioirty components reflected in the Policy and Vision strategy?
  • If they do you have almost completed your task - well done!
  • If they do not you must agree what the disconnects are.
  • You must revise the Policy and Vision strategy to ensure that it reflects the other components.
  • Or you must adjust the components to reflect the Policy and Vision strategy.

You are now ready to prepare to present your findings to the wider workshop group and to answer Jyrki's question - who really needs policy and why is it important?

Task 9 - Presenting your findings!

  • Appoint one member of the group to upload all of the video recordings to GeSCI's vimeo account. Each recording must have a title and name of group.
  • Appoint two people with the responsibility of creating a powerpoint that describes the main findings of the task.Include your three priority areas, policy vision statement and ICT TPD Policy and Vision strategy and three components strategy. You may also include any other information you deem important.
  • Choose one person to open the presentation by telling Jyrki, GeSCI's CEO, who your group think policy is for and why it is important.
  • You can preent the remainder of the presentation (using your powerpoint) as a group or you can select just one person to make the presentation.
  • Choose your favorite two recordings to show to the wider group.
  • Finally, ask the wider workshop group to evaluate your task based on the rubric.

The Director of Teacher Education will record your discussions

Discuss implications this has on your own country context with the group.

The offical from the Ministry of Finance will record your discussion

Group Evaluation

Your Task will be evaluated on the basis of this rubric which considers: Response to opening question; Policy Vision Statement;Team work; Organisation and Sources.

CATEGORY 4 = exceeds the standard 3 = meets the standard 2 = partially meets the standard 1 = does not meet standard
Overarching Question and ICT TPD Policy Strategy The ICT TPD Policy Strategy clearly answers the overarching question – Who really needs policy and why is it important; A strong logical argument presented by the group makes a clear connection between the ICT TPD Policy Strategy and the answer to the overarching question. The ICT TPD Policy Strategy clearly answers the overarching question – Who really needs policy and why is it important? The group presents a clear connection between the ICT TPD Policy Strategy and the answer to the overarching question. The ICT TPD Policy Strategy addresses the overarching question - Who really needs policy and why is it important?; However no argument is made t support the connection between the ICT TPD Policy Strategy and the answer to the overarching question. Overarching question is not answered.
ICT TPD Policy Vision Statement The ICT TPD Policy Vision statement illustrates a clear understanding of the essential elements of an ICT TPD Policy.
The statement adds to the wider group’s understanding of the nature of ICT TPD Policy 		The ICT TPD Policy Vision statement appropriately supports the group's position on policy and adds to the wider group’s understanding of ICT TPD Policy. The ICT TPD Policy Vision statement some what supports the group’s position on ICT TPD Policy and sometimes adds to the reader's understanding of ICT TPD Policy. The ICT TPD Policy Vision statement does not reflect the group’s position on ICT TPD Policy.
Delegation of Responsibility Each participant in the group can clearly explain what their role was in the group and what responsibilities they had at different points in the task. Each participant in the group can clearly explain what they were responsible for at different points in the. Each participant in the group can, with minimal prompting from peers, clearly explain what he/she was responsible for in the task. One or more participants in the group cannot clearly explain what they were responsible for.
Organization Information is very organized with well-constructed sections of powerpoint and videos that clearly describe the group’s most significant findings during the task. Information is organized with well-constructed sections. Information is organized, but sections are not well-constructed. The information appears to be disorganized.
Sources All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented in the desired format. All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented, but a few are not in the desired format. All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented, but many are not in the desired format. Some sources are not accurately documented

Conclusion

You have finally completed the task.

It has been chllenging and you have learned a great deal. What were some of the most significant learning experiences?

  • Learning to see the opportunities and challenges in developoing an ICT TPD Policy strategy through another person's eyes?
  • Learning to work effectively as a team?
  • Comparing your country's journey to that of other countries and drawing parallels?
  • Using the flip camera and becoming accustomed to be being 'on video'?
  • Deciding what the most important components of a your ICT TPD Policy Vision statement were?
  • Reaching a consensus on your 3 year ICT TPD Policy Strategy?

What else?

We hope that most of all, you have learned how powerful learning 'through' ICTs can be. We hope that you have discovered for yourself the benefits and challenges of learning with and through ICTs.

Please take this learning experience back to your peers in your respective ministries and institutions and invite them to engage in the process using the planning template as a guiding document.

Congratulations on being the first group of people to interactively develop an ICT TPD Policy Strategy!!

For other Facilitators

  • This webquest should ideally accompany a workshop process as it assumes some prior knowledge of the ICT in Education domain.
  • This webquest was designed for an audience of ICT in Education practitioners, policy makers, researchers, teachers and other ICT in Education stakeholders such as the Ministry of Finance and the private sector in a developing country.
  • It is important to provide country specific supporting materials to ensure that there is sufficient knowledge of the ICT in Education policy domain.
  • Ensure that participants are placed in country groups so that they do not have to work on a hypothetical country but can use their own experiences.
  • Ensure that participants engage in role playing. Role playing is an important learning experience for participants as many will have little access to personnel outside of their own departments and will therefore not necessarily appreciate another stakeholder's response to policy making.
  • Above all ensure that each participant has access to a computer, the internet and a hand-held device to ensure that the taks can be achieved.
  • Leave enough time for the group to complete each task.

The following organisations are credited for use of their material in this webquest:

  • UNESCO
  • H2
  • Global e-Schools and Communities Initiative
  • Association for Progressive Communications

Good luck!!