Using LAMS to facilitate an effective program of ICT instruction

Abstract

This paper documents how LAMS facilitated the re-development of a course designed to provide ICT skills to our future classroom teachers. The course was transformed from a purely technical, skills-based design to a format offering students a solid grounding in effective pedagogical approaches and learning design. Whilst still providing some generic ICT training, the course emphasis has been shifted to enable students to understand the pedagogical, philosophical and ethical implications of integrating ICTs into school environments and, in some instances, society at large. Students are also required to design their own e-learning activity in LAMS using the literature to justify their choice of technological tools. Throughout this process the students are encouraged to workshop their sequences with their peers, critically evaluate others’ work and reflect on the success of their own. The primary aim of this course now is to create learning designers who are intelligent and adaptive users of technology.