ICT teacher handbook/Preface

The objective of the state education department is to integrate technology into teaching and learning in sustained and meaningful ways.The ICT implementation is based on the four pillars of infrastructure, training, content and connectivity. The focus is on having a digital lab and a digital classroom. It is envisaged that technology is not to be seen as an end by itself, but rather as a process for creating a rich learning environment. The digital classroom would be a regular classroom enriched with digital content; the teacher will be strengthened to transact in this classroom. In line with National ICT Policy, the state intends to use open licensed content and free and open source software to allow rich possibilities for creating, communicating and learning.

The department has also undertaken the training of teachers in technology integration to build in house capabilities in the education system, the schools and teachers to manage an effective ICT program integrated with school processes.

In this context, it is proposed:

1. to evolve a meaningful curriculum for students and develop student and teacher materials
2. to develop a process map and design for digital content creation in the state in the form of OER

SCERT has decided to develop ICT text books which will be used by the school teachers for transacting the ICT curriculum in classes 8 to 10. The text book that is currently available has very limited focus on a few proprietary software applications, not directly connected to school subjects. SCERT has decided to adopt the ICT curriculum developed by NCERT, as the basis for the text book, which leverages the possibilities of ICTs for connecting and learning and creating and learning.

In consultation with NCERT-CIET, HBSCE, SIET, ITfC and a core group of SCERT members, it was decided to take up the creation of student textbook and teacher handbook, based on the NCERT ICT curriculum. The Telangana Education Department has also entered into a MOU with Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia uently, Telangana also participated in a consultative meeting held in RIE Mysuru, by CEMCA, for collaboration on programs on ICT in Education, specifically OER creation. Pursuant to this meeting, in view of CEMCA's experience in the area of OER creation, the Telangana Department of School Education has invited CEMCA to support the creation of ICT textbook and handbook, as outlined above