Technology issues taken to Minister

Federation continues to lobby to defer the implementation of the Year 10 Computing Skills Assessment, writes NICOLE CALNAN.

The union recently provided Education Minster Carmel Tebbutt with a detailed report on the difficulties schools are facing implementing information and communications technology (ICT) competencies and the implications this has for the Year 10 Computing Skills Assessment.

There are a number of HSC courses that specifically require access to ICT: information processes and technology, design and technology, software design and development, computing applications, photography, video and digital imaging, visual design and the Vocational Education and Training (VET) Information Technology Framework. Other HSC courses make references to the use of multimedia technologies and use of the internet. Others require computers with particular capabilities so that students can submit major works for assessment.

The revised 7-10 syllabus documents to be implemented from 2004 to 2006 are far more specific in their references to ICT. There are, in fact, 149 specific references to ICT in the outcomes of the mandatory 7-10 syllabus documents. These ICT statements are very precise in linking 'learn about' and 'learn to' content. Examples of these include:

• "Students learn to use a range of sources, including databases, CD-ROMs and the internet to access information" (stage 4 science); and
• "Students learn to identify a key issue for individual or group action, raise awareness and gather support for the issue using ICT skills including a mail merge" (stage 5 PDHPE).

The ICT competencies to be assessed as part of the Year 10 Computing Skills Assessment are drawn from the mandatory 7-10 syllabus outcomes. Given the significant number of ICT specific outcomes in the 7-10 curriculum, teachers and students will require improved access to ICT within their schools.

In trying to ensure students are exposed to the ICT competencies from the syllabuses, teachers are encountering problems accessing computers in schools and colleges. They also report to Federation a lack of access to other technologies such as digital cameras, scanners, digital projectors, printers, internet and email access, a range of subject specific software programs. Suitable furniture, cabling and power supplies also need to be provided to create a quality learning environment for students and teachers. As a result, schools are removing some information technology courses from their subject offerings.

Schools do not have enough computers to provide these courses and teach the mandatory ICT competencies in all subjects and/or the computers they do have are too old.

Teachers at schools and colleges also report a lack of available technical support.

The announcement of an additional 129 information technology support staff to be employed by the Department of Education and Training (DET) will be of some help. However, these positions are not expected to materialise until 2007. Federation continues to make representations to the Minister for these positions to be brought forward. Federation is yet to receive information promised by the DET about the "remote access technology support".

Ms Tebbutt continues to state that the Government is committed to providing 'state-of-the art technology' to our public schools. Some commitment! The 2004 computer rollout did not occur. The failure to deliver computers to schools in 2004 has had a significant impact. On March 17 of this year, then Premier Bob Carr announced 39,000 computers will be delivered and installed in schools. These 39, 000 computers represent the 2004 computer roll out and an additional 9000 that would have been delivered as part of the 2006 roll out. The time frame for delivery is "by the end of 2005". Suppliers have already indicated they may have some difficulty meeting this time frame, and schedules for delivery are already reported as being delayed.

Some schools have received computers that should have been delivered in 2004. Others are still waiting. The Government proclaims that there is a ratio of one computer per six students. This will not be so until all computer rollouts have occurred in schools in 2005. This is only true when all computers are installed and working!

Access to ICT in years 7-10 is crucial to ensure students are exposed to all the competencies that are to be assessed as part of the Year 10 Computing Skills Assessment. The timing of the computer rollout in schools does not facilitate this, particularly for those who are to sit the online test in 2006 as part of their School Certificate. Given the delays of the computer rollout, can the Minister guarantee that the 2006 cohort of year 10 students will have had exposure to and opportunities to engage in the ICT competencies that will be tested?

Access to information and communications technology is not a luxury and should not be denied to students merely because they attend a school in the public system. Public schools should be supported in their attempts to ensure that their students will be properly taught the mandatory computer competencies as well as being offered the full range of information technology subjects.

At the time of going to print, Federation still awaited a response from the Minister as to whether or not the implementation of the Computing Skills Assessment will be deferred.

Nicole Calnan is the relieving Administration Officer (Media and Communications) Officer.

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