Recently I wrote about the idea of replacing ICT with a new subject #digitalstudies. Amongst a small but growing group of teachers on Twitter this idea has gone down extremely well. What I am very pleased to see is that people like @teachesict have already gone as far as proposing the strands and even the name of #digitalstudies to their head teacher and director of studies. I was hoping that as this took off others would be able to step in and start contributing towards the new subject. I certainly don’t own this idea and I don’t think anyone else can but whilst I can I certainly want to lead as much as possible.
So what I would like to suggest is a map or action plan for the way forward. As much as I enjoy seeing something grow organically just as much as one has to prune and direct a plant I feel we should take on board some structure and direction for this new subject. What follows is therefore a list of ideas, issues and plans which will need to be addressed in order for this subject to succeed. One of the ideas is for a wiki and once that is set up I will transfer this list to the wiki so that others can contribute. If anyone wants to take a lead on something send me your name and I will add you to this list.
I know that over Christmas people tend to understandably quiet down for a bit. I think these ideas may therefore be a good way to help light a lamp under us for the start of the new year.
General ideas
1. Set up a wiki for storing and compiling all info for new subject (long term plan is full website with social network integration for sharing ideas)
2. Present #digitalstudies to teachmeet BETT in January next year
3. Get an article in TES (need to break out of the twitter box)
4. See if we can get anyone at DfE to sit down with us and listen Subject ideas:
1. Set up effective topic list which covers KS1 to KS3 (I will blog on why I am not including KS4 and 5 for now)
2. Begin developing assessment objectives for each topic
3. Begin developing units for each topic (my aim would be to have way more units then upload ever be taught thus encouraging flexibility and choice by the teacher) (and may be reliant on full website for subject being available)
4. Begin developing resources I’m really excited about this Brian
1. Set up a wiki for storing and compiling all info for new subject (long term plan is full website with social network integration for sharing ideas)
2. Present #digitalstudies to teachmeet BETT in January next year
3. Get an article in TES (need to break out of the twitter box)
4. See if we can get anyone at DfE to sit down with us and listen Subject ideas:
1. Set up effective topic list which covers KS1 to KS3 (I will blog on why I am not including KS4 and 5 for now)
2. Begin developing assessment objectives for each topic
3. Begin developing units for each topic (my aim would be to have way more units then upload ever be taught thus encouraging flexibility and choice by the teacher) (and may be reliant on full website for subject being available)
4. Begin developing resources I’m really excited about this Brian
good idea for brainstorming sessions – i've used etherpad quite a bit in the past
May work better/faster than a Wiki initially:http://qikpad.co.uk/
I will be doing some more work on my ideas for the ICT curriculum over Christmas. My initial thoughts can all be found on my blog – http://chrisleach78.wordpress.com/2011/11/07/ict-curriculum-strands/