DEEP IMPACT: an investigation of the use of information and communication technologies for teacher education in the global south: researching the issues. Researching the Issues Series 58

Abstract

The Digital Education Enhancement Project (DEEP) is an applied research project exploring the ways in which information and communications technology (ICT) can improve access to, and the quality of, teacher education in the global south. It is focused upon three key research questions:

  • What is the impact of ICT use on the pedagogic knowledge and practice of teachers and the communities in which they live and work?
  • What is the impact of ICT-enhanced teaching on student achievement and motivation?
  • How can teacher education and training be developed to ensure that teachers have the capacity to exploit the potential for ICT?

The contents of the report are as follows:

1: Introduction
Significance of the study for teacher education
The potential of new technologies for teacher education

2: Research Study Aims, Design & Methods
Study aims and objectives
The DEEP project
Anticipated outcomes
Research design and methods
Conceptual framework of the study

3: The DEEP Programme Development
Purpose and nature of the programme
Programme resources
Programme support
Country versioning of the programme framework
Learning technologies within the programme

4: Programme Implementation
Egypt: Cairo
South Africa: Eastern Cape Province
Programme support in practice
Security issues
Programme activities
Planning using ICT
Teaching using ICT
Approaches to science
Approaches to numeracy
Developing professional networks

5: Discussion of Findings
Teacher confidence
Developing subject knowledge
Developing school knowledge
Developing pedagogic knowledge
Teacher-to-teacher co-operation
Prior experience and provision of ICT
Mobilising the community
Student confidence, motivation and achievement
Hand-held computer use
Limitations of the hand-held
Technical support, infrastructure, security and equipment survival
Cost Issues

6: Implications for Policy & Practice
Key policy implications
Principles for ICT provision and programme development

A short summary of the report based on an article in id21 is provided, in addition to the full report.

Citation

Leach, J.; Atef Ahmed; Shumi Makalima; Power, T. DEEP IMPACT: an investigation of the use of information and communication technologies for teacher education in the global south: researching the issues. Researching the Issues Series 58. (2006) 140 pp. ISBN 1 86192 712 6

Published 1 January 2006