Unit 2: Use of ICT to Support Lifelong Learning

Pre-service teachers use ICT to support their own professional growth (6.2).

Students are made aware of formal and informal learning approaches to further professional growth and understand the advantages and disadvantages of selecting each approach. Students analyse a case study and create a sample professional development plan.

Duration: Total of 3 notional hours – 1.5 hour tutorial, 1 hour computer practical session and 30 minute self-study session, preferably at a computer.

Notes to Lecturer: Alert your participants to the idea that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can be used to support professional development and learning in a number of ways. Technology can be used to learn more about the subjects they will teach and to provide ideas and new ways to teach them. It can also be used to expand career opportunities and it allows opportunities to network with other educators. The two main approaches to improve your current knowledge include that of formal and informal learning opportunities.

The following introductory tutorial has been provided as a guide only. The facilitator should research this topic ahead of the tutorial and be well versed and familiar with examples of formal and informal learning approaches as well as some of the advantages and disadvantages of each. In pairs, participants will complete the activity below and the tutor will be required to summarise the main points at the end of the discussion. For the activity in this tutorial, you will be required to navigate to the Web on your computer/laptop and demonstrate to participants some examples of formal and informal learning approaches. Several examples have been provided in the text below as a starting point, but you  may substitute these with any examples you feel are more appropriate.