Effective ICT within the English Learning Area

The school setting

Belconnen High School in Hawker, ACT is a year 7 - 10 coeducational government high school with a strong emphasis on computing across the curriculum. The case study concerns a year 9 English Class of 46 students. The class consists of students with mixed abilities and backgrounds, such as hearing impaired, ESL and academically gifted or talented students. The students are planning a theatrical performance of a Shakespearean play, utilising ICT. The unit is called Cooperative English computer connection and involves the use of the "Grouputer" system. Grouputer allows students to work both collaboratively and individually to plan and develop a Shakespearean theatrical production.

The Grouputer system consists of 12 keyboards linked to 1 IBM processor. The system displays to multiple monitors with linked software that enables brainstorming and strategic planning focus. The system combines easily with presentation packages, PowerPoint, or reference materials such as CDROM Encyclopaedia packages and Internet sites.

The IBM processor is placed on a table in the middle of classroom with monitors positioned facing out at each corner of the table. Keyboards are placed on tables facing the monitors. Students sit in groups observing the monitors while a nominated group member types at the keyboard. As the ENTER key is pressed individual group comments are moved from individual group into a common area on the display, available to be viewed by all the separate groups. Students simultaneously gather, present and process both individual and collective ideas. Students are thus involved in planning and analysing ideas collectively and collaboratively, instantaneously.

Teachers set up the focus for student discussions, working with students to establish the tasks necessary for the project. In this way students are engaging knowledge utilising ICT to stimulate higher order thinking to identify, analyse and synthesise ideas. Students reflect on and develop ideas collaboratively and instantaneously.