Issues

ACCE position

Teachers willing to undertake postgraduate courses of study that will result in renewed professionalism and updated knowledge and skills, including Learning Technology Competence, should be encouraged and assisted to do so. This could include financial assistance by employer systems or alternatives such as HECS exemption or reimbursement. Scholarship or targeted bursary systems could offset HECS costs.

Universities should recognise the skills and knowledge of teachers who develop standards of Learning Technology Competence, which are appropriate for tertiary accreditation.

How can teachers gain tertiary level credit for professional expertise?

Gaining Learning Technology Competence is a long-term strategy that can be fostered in a supportive reflective community of peers. Accordingly, education systems should encourage teachers to pursue tertiary programs that immerse teachers in the ethos of learning technology, rather than rely on short after-school workshops.

Schools should be encouraged to enter into partnerships with universities and professional associations to jointly develop long term professional development programs for teachers.

Universities should be encouraged to foster and support professional communities, professional associations and other bodies supporting teachers in developing further Learning Technology Competence.

Universities should be encouraged to develop postgraduate programs in information technology education and specialist technology education courses as part of a strategy to encourage graduates to remain in the teaching profession.

Universities should be encouraged to offer postgraduate information technology and specialist technology courses to encourage practicing teachers to extend their training into this area, thus reducing the shortage of qualified information and specialist technology teachers.

Universities should be encouraged to utilise their research base to promote research programs in schools which contribute to tertiary credit and which provide research knowledge for the professional community.