Embedding ICT in the History Curriculum An overview

Embedding ICT in the History Curriculum An overview of good practice in secondary schools Ben Walsh ben@bwalsh. uk. com

We really are only at the start of embedding ICT in History (BECTA 2005) Guardian Conference: Embedding ICT in the History Curriculum

Lots of reasons to take a positive view p p p Great work being done by students Lots of pioneering work by dedicated enthusiasts (see today’s programme) Many excellent resources … n n n p Learning Curve Learn. co. uk British Pathe (www. britishpathe. com) Burnt Cakes (www. burntcakes. com) Schoolhistory. co. uk ‘family’ Whiteboards and a range of software ‘tools’ … which are relatively easy to integrate Guardian Conference: Embedding ICT in the History Curriculum

Caveats and concerns Regular and meaningful access to ICT p Reliability of computers, networks etc p Training p All valid concerns, but definitely not reasons to give up p Guardian Conference: Embedding ICT in the History Curriculum

History and ICT: Cautious optimism? Continuing investment in ICT: hardware, ELCs p Falling prices: projectors, whiteboards, the first $100 laptop p Genuine government commitment to embedding p n n n DFES ICT in Schools Unit ICTAC Historical Association / BECTA joint History teacher and ICT Co-ordinator conference Guardian Conference: Embedding ICT in the History Curriculum

So what about good practice? (1) There is plenty of good practice in History without ICT p The best practice comes when using ICT gives us something extra in our History p We need to flag up History’s potential to help build progression in ICT through: p n n fascinating contexts challenging tasks Guardian Conference: Embedding ICT in the History Curriculum

So what about good practice? (2) p Engaging with the ICT agenda means some big questions: n n n Do we know enough about what ICT can do for us? Do we always make the most of all of the possibilities which ICT offers? How do we sell GCSE History to the student who likes it but wants to be a web designer and can’t see its relevance? Guardian Conference: Embedding ICT in the History Curriculum

Making the most of ICT 1 Do we use the word processor for appearance? Could we do more? p Are we exploiting the unique features of the Internet? p n n p Its downsides: Martin Luther King Content not accessible anywhere else: Dunkirk Do historians really not do numbers? n n Popular interpretations Statistics and media literacy Guardian Conference: Embedding ICT in the History Curriculum

Making the most of ICT 2 p Do presentations challenge students to consider: n n value of specific software tools - vocational links issues of purpose and audience Do we have the support, equipment and training to address these issues? p The rest of today seems like a good start! p Guardian Conference: Embedding ICT in the History Curriculum