A new methodology for teaching
literacy, with a strong emphasis on phonics, was implemented at the primary and nursery levels and, as indicated in the section on literacy, some low-performing primary schools were supported by innovative technology, including the setting up of computer laboratories and the use of supporting software programs in at least fourteen schools. At the secondary level the setting up of computer laboratories has mainly been for the purpose of allowing students to pursue studies in Information Technology and to offer this subject at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examinations (CSEC) offered by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC).
The objectives of the Revised National Information Technology Guides are to:
- Guide the teaching of Information Technology in schools;
- Help teachers improve their Information Technology skills;
- Help to prepare students for Information Technology at the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination ;
- Serve as a tool for students who choose not to write IT CXC or CAPE but need to have a working knowledge of IT for the world of work.
Careful planning can enable you to create learning activities that not only help to develop learner’s soft skills but also improve their ICT skills, thereby enhancing their job performance and career prospects as well as meeting the objectives of various national priorities.
Teachers should be able to explain the principles of using ICT in education, describe how these principles can be put into practice, analyse the issues that arise in implementing these principles and how the issues can be addressed (KD.1.a).
