Certificate in Education: Information and Communications Technology
General Information
Mode: Blended/ online learning
Course Coordinator/ Facilitator: Ms. Azra Naseem
Duration: Six months
Aim of the Course
The aim of this introductory course is to enable course participants to use information and communications technology (ICT) as a pedagogical tool.
Objectives
By the end of this course, course participants (CPs) should be able to:
- Describe and analyse the need for using ICT as a pedagogical tool in their professional practice
- Use a variety of eLearning tools and strategies and reflect on their use for learning, teaching and professional development
- Engage in reflection on practice by evaluating, selecting, implementing, observing, recording and questioning various eLearning practices
- Reflect on the social impact of using ICT
- Identify problems, challenges and issues that affect the integration of ICT with teaching and learning in educational institutions in the developing world
- Produce a digital learning portfolio
Content
The course introduces several tools and approaches under the following four themes. Participants implement a small scale project to test selected tools and strategies in their own contexts. The e-activities are also designed around these themes.
Unit I: Rethinking Learning and Teaching with ICT
In this unit participants explore the concepts associated with the use of information and communications technology (ICT) in education. Reflections on various perspectives on learning and approaches to teaching and assessment will enable them to create their own models of learning and teaching with ICT.
Unit II: Preparing for learning and teaching with ICT
In this unit the focus is on the activities participants will perform prior to implementing their ICT projects. This would include how to conduct eLearning needs and readiness assessment, how to plan lessons, organize ICT resources, and conduct assessment.
Unit III: Learning and Teaching with ICT
This is a very practical unit where CPs design and implement ICT integration plans and respond to the issues or problems highlighted in unit 2. CPs continue to reflect on their experience and learning. The unit also introduced participants to some selected ICT tools and strategies for teaching, learning and professional development.
Unit IV: Technology and Society
A discussion on access to ICT goes beyond physical access and permeates to psychological, emotional, economic, cultural and social aspects. Therefore, this unit is designed to reflect on the impact of ICT on the society and its consequences for the school. Issues such as how to ensure equitable access to technology for all children (girls/boys, rich/poor, or with disabilities) in schools are explored. Plagiarism, copyright and safe use of ICT are some of the issues that teachers need to be aware of and also spread awareness among colleagues and students for the creation of a safer and healthier information society.
Methodology
The course is taught through e-learning approaches via IED’s Virtual Learning Environment. Throughout, there are different types of tasks to help participants deepen their understanding, reflect on new ideas, and apply new knowledge and skills to practical examples.
Independent study
A large part of the study is independent. CPs determine their own learning path by seeking information from a variety of sources in order to create meaningful knowledge about ICT integration. They are free to arrange study timings as they wish, but they need to make sure that they complete and hand in assessment tasks by due dates.
Online collaborative learning
CPs are encouraged to interact with the course facilitator and other participants through email and the Virtual Learning Environment. They also interact with the guest speakers online, and complete online collaborative tasks.
Face-to-Face seminar
A five-day face-to-face seminar is held at the start of the course to enable CPs to build contact with other CPs and the facilitator for collaborative work. The f2f seminar provides opportunities to practice new skills and technologies and prepares CPs for ICT integration. Those who are unable to attend the face-to-face seminar are encouraged to participate online via Elluminate Live! The dates and venue for the seminar will be communicated at the time of admission.
One-to-one consultations with facilitator
CPs can either meet with the facilitator in person or contact via email or phone to discuss any topic of interest related to the studies. Consultations can either take place at the facilitator’s office or in the CP's organization (if located in Karachi).
Assessment
Assessment is based on on-going e-activities and a Portfolio. The details are shared at the start of the course.
Support for the Course Participants
Participants enrolled on this course have access to a number of AKU-IED library resources:
- CPs are able to access numerous academic journals (including archives) in electronic form through an AKU-IED Institutional Subscription with OCLC Online Computer Library Centre, Inc.
- CPs are able to request photocopies of materials related to the course (within the copyright laws of allowable limit for educational purposes) to be mailed to them directly from the AKU-IED Library.
These services will be available to all CPs.
For more information, please contact Ms. Azra Naseem <azra.naseem@aku.edu>.
Past Course(s):
Certificate in Education: Information and Communication Technology (2007)
Certificate in Education: Information and Communication Technology (2006)
Certificate in Education: Information and Communication Technology (2003)
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