Technology in Focus | IT certification to become part of licensing requirement for teachers

In an effort to strengthen the use of information and communications technology (ICT) in the teaching and learning process, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, through the University of Technology (UTech), Jamaica, is piloting a training programme for teachers to improve their competencies in the use of ICT to deliver lessons.

Their demonstration of competency is expected to form part of the soon-to-be licensing requirement for all teachers through the Jamaica Teaching Council (JTC), which is reviewing the programme.

The pilot programme, based in the Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies at the UTech and delivered jointly with the School of Computing and Information Technology, currently targets only pre-service teachers.

INDEPENDENT LEARNING

The programme is designed in a manner that allows participants to learn skills independently in specially designed labs in addition to theory. The labs are currently being upgraded to reflect features of a smart-learning environment.

"The curriculum assists pre-service teachers to identify accessible resources and devices and teaches them how to use these tools to make learning more effective," said Dr Gareth Phillips, vice-dean of the Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies.

His co-project coordinator and lecturer in business and computer studies, Granville Pitter, says that the intent is to eventually make the training mandatory for teachers.

"The framework sets out the type of classroom engagement that must take place, and we will get them to that stage by monitoring and evaluating because it's going to be a part of their licensing," he disclosed.

"Therefore, built into the licensing requirement will be that the teachers must demonstrate that they have these competencies through certification," added Phillips.

He noted that this has been agreed in principle with the JTC although the regulatory agency is reviewing the programme.

"The training they receive will give them skills for lifelong learning," said Pitter.

He argued that the initial training should reduce the need for and cost of constant training when new technologies emerge.

"As new technology becomes available, one can easily adapt without the need to return for additional retraining, therefore, it keeps you current," added Phillips.