TE year1sourcebook/Overview

Unit 1: ICT for connecting and learning

1. Overview
2. Introduction to the Unit
3. Objectives of the unit
4. Topics of Study in the Unit
   1. Understanding ICT – a brief history
   2. Basic familiarity with ICT devices and operating system
      1. Installing operating system on the computer
      2. Accessing and adding various FOSS applications, basic troubleshooting
   3. ICT can help connect and communicate
      1. Navigating the Internet,  web browser for accessing the internet
      2. Participation in online, email and mobile-based forums (forming teacher communities of practice for collaboration and peer learning)
   4. ICT for self learning
      1. Developing personal digital libraries (PDLs) and evaluation of digital resources
   5. Equitable access to ICTs
      1. Plagiarising
      2. Violating the 'license' associated with the resource
      3. Free and Open Source Software and Open Educational Resources
   6. Ethical use of internet
   7. Internet Safety
5. Summary of the Unit
6. Self assessment
7. Suggestions for more reading

Approach

In keeping with the title of the paper, "ICT Mediation in teaching-learning', an ability to work in the ICT environment, creating content, sharing and learning and focusing on educational and learning processes, are the key principles of the design of the source book, rather than on just learning specific applications. The source book has been designed keeping in mind the various possibilities of creative expression possible through ICT applications and platforms available today and also seeks to build a mindset that will explore such applications pro-actively and independently on an ongoing basis.

The syllabus emphasizes a thematic, project based approach to ICT learning, such an approach will also enable integration of ICT with multiple school subjects.

The source book is supplemented with a user manual, providing the features and processes of using the software applications used in the source book. This will be provided as on-line copy for easy reference. Since ICT is a technology, developing ICT skills is an important part of this paper. Instead of dividing the unit into theory and practice, these are woven together in each section. Thus along with developing understanding of an ICT concept or idea, you will also learn how to use relevant applications for different academic processes.