Researching teaching with ICT in higher education

Abstract

Yngve Nordkvelle, editor

In this issue we have collected four papers from Norwegian authors. The papers have been guest edited by associate professor Hugo Nordseth of North-Trøndelag University College. The authors represent the new generation of teachers in higher education who follow up on what new technologies have to offer for teaching and learning in higher education. Gard B. Jenset presents a study which investigates attitudes among student teachers toward using electronic resources in teaching. Two groups of student teachers, were asked to assess their skills and attitudes. Jenset introduced them to an example of how open-source, Web-based data and software could be used in teaching English culture and history. The students apporved of the experiment, but Jenset concludes that teacher education contributes little to improve their skills with technology. Cecilie Asting and Anne Swanberg discuss how to manage feedback and responses to students in large scale classes. Well planned teaching and learning activities can invite students to a variety of feedback activities. The experiements described gives insights into have such initiatives can be improved and succeed.

Sven Åke Bjørke discuss the need to be aware of classifications of knowledge when curricula and learning activities are designed. The author argues for the entire sector to jump directly to "state of the art" of e-learning. To pursue this, he makes a quest for investment in teacher training in higher education, rather than focusing on technology. Hege Emma Rimmereide, Barbara Blair and Jon Hoem describe a project involving the use of wiki. Wiki Storyline is a web-based Storyline using wikis, and which demands an interdisciplinary approach to second language teaching. The Storyline creates motivation for written and oral communication. The authors have used Wiki Storyline in two in-service courses and the study presents a comparative analysis of  technical solutions as well as pedagogical potentials explored in the two courses. They also employed Etherpad for collaborative writing and as an arena for reflection.

Dr. Mamtuz Ahmad discusses a vital problem of many emerging economies, namely the issue of literacy for all. As he states, literacy is an instrument of stability and a vehicle for development. Pakistan is a country which faces the problem of illiteracy. It is a grim picture he draws, and he analyses the steps that has been taken by the government to meet the real needs.

Literacy is an instrument of stability within and among countries and thus may prove an indispensable means of effective participation in the societies and (the) economies of today’s world. Eradication of illiteracy from the world is an important agenda of UNESCO, and one of the six goals of Dakar Framework of Action on Education for All. Illiteracy is also a major problem in Pakistan. The picture of illiteracy in Pakistan is grim, and although successive governments have announced various programmes to promote literacy the situation is still poor because of various political, social, economic and cultural obstacles. To sum up, it can be said that literacy is a skill necessary to acquire or transmit (information) to others.  It is a means not an end in itself. Keeping in view the gravity of the situation of literacy and basic education in the country, Pakistan has completed/implemented a number of actions/activities for broad-based consultations with principal actors of EFA. Furthermore, the Government of Pakistan has accomplished the preparation of provincial and national plans of action and resource mobilization for EFA planning. This paper therefore examines the efforts to decrease illiteracy in Pakistan, a signatory of the worldwide EFA movement.