Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Domain

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Research

This section identifies current research and trials of innovative technologies for learning, teacher pedagogy, learning spaces and ICT-enabled learning and teaching

eLearning places and spaces

 Victorian School Design links to examples of current designs for schools. It is a Department resource and contains ideas and guidelines for learning spaces to allow students to learn effectively with ICT.

Sections that focus on ICT include: 

Compare older style classrooms with learning spaces that integrate contemporary technologies. See the design for an ICT - rich flexible learning space at Echuca College

See MCEETYA's Learning in an Online World: Learning Spaces Framework April, 2008

Victorian research

The iPod Touch Research Project (PDF - 1.4Mb) investigated how hand-held technology in three primary schools contributed to an improved pedagogy of teaching, learning and assessment. It was a joint DEECD and Apple Computer Australia project conducted by Cecilie Murray and John Sloan. 

Researchers found that the iPod Touch technology stimulated student interaction and communication in blogs, podcasts and webpages, among other constructive findings.  

It recommended that using hand-held technologies for learning should be supported by: 

  •  clear, precise learning goals
  •  curriculum plans that integrate more student autonomy and independence
  •  the integration of the mobile devices with other technologies such as interactive white-boards.

The project report contains useful school developed resources, practical details and advice from each of the three project schools. 

Ideas Lab is an innovation and learning lab in Broadmeadows. Ideas Lab aims to be a hub for national and international research into technology in learning and teaching, a testing ground for new ideas and a place for teachers and students to experiment and share ideas. It is a partnership between the Department, Microsoft, Intel, Cisco Systems, the University of Melbourne’s Graduate School of Education and Hume City Council, and it has access to international and national leaders of research and thought in education and technology.  

Australian research, priorities and national directions

ICT research at edna is an online collection of Australian research on ICT in teaching and learning and change management in schools. It includes some international research. 

The Australian Government Ministerial Council for Education, Employment and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA) has published a series of documents that summarise contemporary research and set policy direction for learning with ICT. The series, Learning in an Online World includes: 

See MCEETYA publications for other documents in the series.

Statements of Learning and Professional Elaborations for Information and Communication Technologies (2006) are the national statements of learning in ICT which have been incorporated into the learning focus statements of the VELS ICT domain. 

International research and future directions

International Research

Becta aims to ensure the effective and innovative use of technology throughout learning in UK schools. See Becta’s research reports and publications related to ICT in education with video highlights of the Becta 2007/2008 research program, including video on learning with Web 2.0, innovation, technology for learning and personalising learning.

Future directions in ICT for learning. 

The 2008 Horizon Report, identifies key trends and challenges in technology used for education, as well as predictions for new technologies in the next five years. This research report is relevant to Australia and New Zealand was produced by the New Media Consortium. Its focus is on tertiary education, but the report refers to school education throughout. Read the full Australia-New Zealand 2008 Horizon Report 

The Horizon Report 2009 identifies six emerging technologies that will impact on P-12 education over the next five years. They are collaborative environments, communication tools, mobiles, cloud computing, smart objects and personal web. The report includes discussion and examples of their use for teaching, learning and creative expression. Read the full
Horizon Report 2009 K-12 Edition

At edna, see a collection of emerging technologies for education and training. They include software, collaborative technologies, handheld devices, 3D or virtual worlds and gaming, RSS technologies and assessment tools.