“ICT supports knowledge-building among teams and enables team members to collaborate, inquire, interact and integrate prior knowledge with new understanding.”
In my history classroom, I and my students, use ICT on a regular, if not daily basis. History is all about finding, questioning and interrogating sources to build knowledge and develop understanding.
Being able to use the internet is a valuable tool in the history classroom. Students love any opportunity to get on a computer and surf the web, so my theory is why not let them, and incorporate it into your lessons. Also, it lets the students have the opportunity to take control of what they are learning (“students plan their investigations, and report on their findings” VELS level 5 History). I find that if the students have the opportunity to research a topic themselves (with a bit of a nudge in the right direction from me!) then they are able to take in more of the subject and deeper understanding and appreciation as well as taking ownership of their learning.
When you incorporate ICT into team activities you can easily see that it is such a valuable tool. As the VELS quote states, it does enable team members collaborate, inquire, interact and integrate prior knowledge with new understanding. Computers, the internet and the myriad of other ICT is such fantastic way to foster an appreciation for learning and education.
