The importance of ICT
On 3 March 2009, Ofsted published a report (The importance of ICT: information and communication technology in primary and secondary schools 2005/2008) which draws on evidence from inspections of information and communication technology (ICT) teaching between September 2005 and July 2008 in 177 maintained schools in England.
Part A describes the quality of ICT education in primary and secondary schools over this period. Part B considers how tackling assessment, vocational qualifications, value for money and resources might improve ICT provision.
The report finds that:
- Pupils’ achievement is judged to be good in over half of the primary schools visited, but in less than half of the secondary schools. The report suggests that higher-attaining pupils and students are insufficiently challenged, often spending time consolidating what they can already do rather than acquiring higher-level skills.
- Investment in resources has improved teaching, but has still not made ICT a part of everyday learning.
- Using ICT is contributing positively to the personal development and future economic well-being of pupils and students. It develops their skills of working independently and cooperatively and is in most cases motivating and engaging.
- Support for pupils with learning difficulties is mostly good, enabling them to make at least the progress expected.
- Most of the teachers observed possessed a detailed subject knowledge of specific aspects of ICT and were confident and competent users of it.
- Assessment is the weakest aspect of teaching and is deemed to be inadequate in one school in five. The schools visited rarely tracked the progress of individuals in ICT, established their attainment on entry to secondary school or took into account their achievement outside school.
The importance of ICT: information and communication technology in primary and secondary schools 2005/2008
