Pedagogical Lens & Effective ICT Use

 Discussion of how a pedagogical lens can assist teachers in making choices that relate to effective ICT use in the classroom.

The teaching approach used for our activities is Project-Based Learning (PBL). This links with the inquiry methodology present in the history syllabus, and allows for a broad range of topics to be included in the activities. The aim of the activities is to learn whilst engaging in the project. Research about PBL shows that the activities should be student-driven, realistic, central to the curriculum, and uses questions that drive students to investigative research. (Thomas, 2000) We felt that this tied closely to History.

PBL is an effective approach because it allows students to improve their critical thinking skills, engage in conceptual questions and applied problems. The large amount of self-directed learning in PBL matched our expectations for the activities, as they are student-centered, but at an individual level.  PBL also promotes general achievement in lower-level cognitive skills, and this allows for lower-order thinking and receiving information.

We used the NSW History Syllabus (2003) to structure our activities. Namely, Stage 5, Topic 8: Australia’s Social and Cultural History in the Post-War Period. This includes the Decade Study of the 1950s.

The inquiry question we focused on was: “What have been the major social and cultural features of a post-war decade?” (NSWDET, 2003, p. 44)

The relevant outcomes were:

5.1 explains social and cultural developments and events and evaluates their impact on Australian life

5.2 assesses the impact of international events and relationships on Australia’s history

5.4 sequences major historical events to show an understanding of continuity, change and causation

The Quality Teaching Model (QTM) is the pedagogical model endorsed by the NSW Department of Education. It is representative of successful teaching and learning practices, which have been broadly defined as Intellectual Quality, Quality Learning Environment, and Significance. Within these dimensions are elements that teachers should aim to cover across a program, topic, and lesson. We used this model to influence our activities.