Models and Practices in Teacher Education Programs for Teaching with and about IT

Abstract

Teacher education and professional development is critically important for effective use of IT in education. The task is complex as many new learning opportunities are offered in IT rich settings and significant pedagogical change may be needed to exploit the potentials offered by the fast developing learning technologies. The chapter outlines goals and purposes for teacher education programs, and then describes a wide range of models, structures and strategies used in award-bearing courses for pre-service education and professional development in tertiary institutions, and then in less formal programs initiated from outside schools, from within schools and by individual teachers. Evaluation of IT teacher education programs is considered, and an argument made for more research and evaluative work in this area.