Task 1: White Paper (30%) + Reference list (10%)
Global rationale for digital technologies/eLearning and implications for policy
Much has been promoted in literature and by educational and public commentators worldwide about the need for education to transform from so called traditional or industrial model schooling to approaches that better equip young people for a dynamic and rapidly-changing world. They often point to the role of digital technologies in supporting this transformation. Prepare a 1,500 word (max) statement outlining (for a general audience) what you identify as the key arguments being promoted for this transformation, and briefly what general implications this holds for digital technology/eLearning policy, strategic planning and practice at a selected education sector level (early childhood, primary, secondary, tertiary etc.)
Your statement must:
- Outline general arguments being promoted for the need for educational transformation;
- Identify and discuss the place and role of digital technologies/eLearning in this process;
- Speculate on the implications this transformation holds for policy and practice at a selected education sector level.
This assignment will require you to locate and read a range of online materials including research literature, agency reports, government policy, commentary in mainstream media and any other relevant materials. In recognition of this work and the need for accurate and consistently referencing using APA format at this level. Your reference list will be worth 10%.
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Some further information:
Intro to Topic one- read this
Reviewing global rationale, arguments and perspectives on digital technologies in education/eLearning
In Topic 1 we will be looking internationally at recent past and present statements from organisations such as UNESCO that our government (via the MoE, TEC and MBIE etc) references in developing policies and frameworks guiding digital technology/eLearning implementation and development in our education institutions.
There are two key documents we are going to reference during this 4 week topic.
UNESCO, (2011). Transforming Education: The power of ICT policies: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000211842
UNESCO, (2005). Towards Knowledge Societies: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000141843
Catching the Knowledge Wave by Jane Gilbert (NZCER ) will also be a useful reference here, as it positions these international arguments and rationale quite well within a local context. Also look to TED talks and YouTube clips discussing the changing requirements from, and nature of education in the 21st Century (please share your recommended finds). These resources often refer to ’21st Century learning skills’, ‘transforming education’, ‘industrial model schooling’ or ‘ICT’ in their titles, so searching using such keywords may be useful.
For ‘Transforming Education’, please read the Preface and Introduction, Chapters 1, 2 and 8, and one of the case studies. With ‘Towards Knowledge Societies’, concentrate on Chapters 1-5.
The principle goal of this topic is to become familiar with contemporary arguments, rationale and perspectives on digital technologies in education/eLearning, what ‘drivers’ there are for this, and what possible outcomes (indicators) are being attributed to their inclusion in education.
Links to other documents of interest:
van Weert, T. (2005). Lifelong learning in the knowledge society. Education and the Knowledge Society. Springer