CADER’s High Education Diploma "ICT in Education"
Overview The high education diploma program "ICT in Education" is the first of its kind in Jordan and the Arab world offered by CADER through INHOLLAND University/The Netherlands Delft University of Technology/The Netherlands and Yarmouk University/Jordan, in a unique collaboration between the educational and technological sectors to enable teachers to utilize the information and communication technology in the classroom and integrate it with modern pedagogies in order to achieve the most effective results. CADER's high education diploma was locally designed, developed and is currently implemented by CADER in Jordan. It is a one-year-post graduate program that can be followed after the attainment of the Bachelor Degree in any major. The program aims at developing and advancing the capabilities of educators to effectively integrate information and communication technology (ICT) into their practices. It is based on the provision of theory and practice for the trainees in addition to guidance and support for in-classroom implementation of the acquired knowledge. The program trains teachers to experience and explore broader horizons within the framework of their work to enrich their creativeness and innovativeness. It is certified by both INHOLLAND University and Yarmouk University. The HED was approved by the Ministry of Higher Education in July 2004 as the first accredited high education diploma for training of in-service teachers under the name of “ICT in Education” diploma in the Arab World. Content The high education diploma "ICT in Education" gives great weight to the sustainability element of the newly acquired practices through the creation of communities of practice within the schools. This is reflected in the graduation project "Masterpiece" which allows space for the teacher to assume the role of a coach and transfer the knowledge and experiences acquired through training another colleague in the school emphasizing "peer to peer coaching.” The program also aims at activating the electronic learning environment (ELE) through providing a dedicated electronic platform for teachers. The content comprises of the following six themes: Theme One: Experiments in the Classroom In this theme the participating teachers are given the opportunity to experiment with new ideas of teaching and learning. It also allows them to experiment with ICT in the classroom. This theme introduces the main topics of the program in an experiential way that is far from theory in a way that engages the teachers and makes them want to know more. In depth knowledge and practice takes place later in the specialized themes. The themes topics are: - Experimenting in the classroom: a virtual tour
- Brainstorming, mind mapping and information organizing
- Communication
- ELE in teaching and Learning
- Learning Styles
- Strategies of Group Work
- The Talking Book
- The Dream School
Theme Two: Learning Styles and Classroom Management
This theme discusses new ways of teaching and learning through introducing teachers to modern pedagogies and the role of ICT in enhancing their effectiveness. The themes topics are: Classroom Management in Student Centered Learning Cooperative Learning Multiple Intelligences Questioning in Teaching and Learning Inquiry-Based Learning Micro Lessons Performance Based Evaluation Itzkan’s Phases of Using ICT in Education: An Evaluation Tool
Theme Three: The Role of ICT in Education
Theme three introduces different ICT tools and the unlimited possibilities they offer in the classroom taking into consideration the added value of using such tools in the learning process. The teacher also improves his skills in planning and presenting classroom activities based on ICT. The themes topics are: - The Role of ICT in the Classroom
- Using Internet in the Classroom
- Using Multi media in the Classroom
- Integrating Subject Matters
- Computers and Evaluation
- WebQuests
- Planning to Integrate ICT in the curriculum
- Information Processing Model
Theme Four: Specific Learning Topics
Theme four discusses a number of topics related to developing students' thinking skills and levels and ways of promoting thinking in the classroom. It also aims at introducing the role of ICT in promoting thinking skills. The themes topics are: - The Role of ICT in Promoting Thinking
- Logical Thinking and Open Thinking
- Creative Thinking
- Edward De Bono’s Six Hats
- Project-Based Learning
- Problem-Based Learning
- Constructive learning
- Change for School Reform and Development
Theme Five: Implementation Strategies of ICT in Curriculum The theme addresses different subjects in project management and change management. The teacher starts in investing the knowledge acquired in the previous themes putting it to use to serve own school and colleagues. This theme promotes teachers’ leadership to improve the teaching and learning process in own school through starting a community of sharing knowledge, learning and practice. The themes topics are: Theme Six: The Masterpiece The participating teachers work in this theme on an individual graduation project in which they put to use what they learnt throughout the High Education Diploma. Each teacher’s project should be born out of his/her school needs. The project should provide a solution for an identified school problem. It should also be implemented in the school with one or a group of school colleagues. This ensures sustainability of new practices through sharing and transfer of knowledge to school colleagues and embedding new practices in everyday work. Delivery Mechanism The program extends over a period of one scholastic year, distributed over three semesters (48 weeks). It consists of 27 credit hours and counts for 704 load hours. The weekly events of the program take place as follows: - A Campus workshop: a four-hour-group meeting in seven major areas the South, the Middle and the North of Jordan.
- An Onsite workshop: a four-hour-meeting in smaller groups in the field in different schools closer to the teachers’ daily working environment.
- Individual Class Visits that support the teachers in their classrooms by CADER's Master Trainers.
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