WAY06728 Pedagogy, Innovation and e-Learning in Primary Schools

Over 400 e-learning grant applications from Australian primary schools were analysed to determine the nature of the proposed ICT-based projects in Literacy and Numeracy. Three key dimensions emerged from the teacher descriptions: ICT Infrastructure, Motivation and ICT Use, and Pedagogy and Innovation. The three dimensions, and the interactions between the dimensions, provide a means for understanding the complex factors within an individual school that determine the nature of ICT use and the potential for innovation. This paper focuses on the types of pedagogy identified and the nature of the innovation in these schools. The majority of schools (73%) described their innovative e-learning projects and approaches to teaching and learning with the view that ICT is a pedagogical tool for improving learning outcomes in Literacy and/or Numeracy. In 14% of the schools teachers described using technology in more innovative ways and exploring new pedagogical approaches that in turn, create new learning environments.