The dual form of further education Of educators in ict: technological and pedagogical training

Abstract

In this research the results from an exploratory study conducted in the Greek context for the programme “Further Education of Educators in the Use and Development of ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) in the educational process” are presented. Our study refers to the educators of the Primary and Secondary Education who attended the programme in the Prefecture of Heraclion in Greece. In our days, the educators’ role is essential since they are the ones who carry out the majority of educational innovations and their views influence greatly their planning of teaching as well as their educational choices and practice in class. The introduction of the ICT present new challenges for teachers and often meets with the educators’ belief that ICT, as well as other changes, present a factor which can cause several changes in school. Some recent researches show that the educators’ attitudes concerning the ICT are somewhat uncertain: albeit the recognition, in general terms, of ICT’s usefulness there are expectations of negative consequences from their use and sometimes intense feelings of caution and even awe. The creation of abilities and positive attitudes concerning the ICT in general for all the educators demands the existence of an appropriate environment for their development. Based on a specially constructed questionnaire intended for the educators who attended the programme of further education in ICT, this research elicits teachers’ attitudes towards this programme. Some of the main results of our research point out the preparedness of these educators to make use of ICT in the daily school practice. Furthermore, they expressed their wish for further education concerning the pedagogical development of ICT. Another result of our research was the high level of their self sufficiency in the programmes which were organized during this further education, constitute essential aspects of their views.