ICT and adult literacy, numeracy and ESOL

The UK government's 21st Century Skills Strategy (indexed at TD/IRD 88.169) states that along with literacy and numeracy, basic information and communications technology (ICT) will become a basic skill for adults within its 'Skills for life' program. This study carried out detailed observational research in classrooms to: collect, review and analyse existing practice; examine how the use of ICT has impacted on the teaching and learning of basic skills in these classrooms; and to begin to more closely identify the factors involved in effective teaching with ICT in the areas of adult literacy, numeracy and English to speakers of other languages (ESOL). The study found that: the predominant way ICT was used was for learners to use desktop computers on their own, with the tutor either presenting to the whole class or involved in discussion with groups or individuals; ICT was integrated in the teaching of basic skills; the major teaching style consisted of group presentation followed by an activity supported by individual tutoring; teachers adapted the use of ICT to their own style of teaching; the most common method used to teach ICT was talking about a procedure, demonstrating it and then asking students to try it on their own; while the visual elements of ICT presentation were useful to many learners, few attempts were made to accommodate students' learning styles in other ways. The contents are: Introduction; Methodology; Findings of the structured observations; Addressing the question; Recommendations. Included as appendices are: Case studies; Pratts's teaching perspectives; Research instruments. Show less