The Challenge Ahead

The information technology (IT) revolution brought unprecedented opportunities to primary teaching. The communications explosion in the outside world rendered the ability to handle large amounts of information, the most crucial of life skills. However, the use of microcomputers in the classroom had been haphazard, and the introduction of IT requirements to the National Curriculum at the time demanded a more confident and coherent approach. First published in 1993, The Challenge Ahead tackles issues which may have impeded the progress of IT in some areas of primary teaching and discusses the concerns which many people had about the impact of these developments on children's lives. Through case studies, the authors show how the development of learning processes can be enhanced and how IT can transform the learning experience of children with special needs. The contributors are united in the aim of the true educator: to assist all children in becoming independent thinkers and independent learners. IT, if used wisely, will bring us nearer to fulfilling that aim.

Preface 1. The role of information technology in support of primary perspective 2. Multimedia in the primary learning environment: the challenge ahead 3. The release of trapped intelligence: use of technology with communication impaired children 4. Information technology capability and the primary school 5. Information technology for pupils with special educational needs 6. Information technology and childhood 7. Information technology in the primary school curriculum: the Humberside response 8. A school census-a computer-based exercise in data collection and analysis by primary children 9. "1588"-an approach utilising information technology 10. Music technology with pupils with severe learning difficulties 11. "Movement": a science curriculum file supported by information technology 12. Through the Looking Glass Appendices a. Information handling, information technology throughout the national curriculum b. Software publishing houses: names and addresses c. Notes on contributors