The integrated approach

1. By: Emil Michael The Integrated Approach

2. What is the integrated approach? A teaching method that allows student to learn in a way that is natural and learner-centered in a learner-interest context. This type of approach exists when a curriculum is created based on the learners’ interests and is comfortable, fun and flexible.

3. What is the Value of integration? Enhance learning Leaner- centred activities Real life contexts Encourage critical thinking Encourage problem-solving

4. Learning Approach for the Effective Integration of ICT with Curriculum A re-assessment of the nature of the learning process is required with greater emphasis being placed on open-ended questions and information skills. The following are expected: Active learning – provide a platform for inquiry, analysis and construction of new knowledge Collaboration – encourages cooperation and interaction among students, teachers and experts Creativity- promotes the exploitation of existing information to create real-world products Integration between subjects – eliminates the separation between disciplines

5. Expected Role of the Educator in the Classroom The role of the educator in the classroom is expected to be that of manager / facilitator of learning to allow for the learners to develop a constructivist or resource-based learning strategy.

6. Steps to Develop a Strategy Towards Curriculum Integration with ICT Conduct research to identify current resources and best practices Involve staff members in developing a plan Conduct training sessions with staff to demonstrate best practices Pilot the implementation at a select grade level while monitoring and assessment takes place Adopt a school-wide implementation with continual monitoring and evaluation to effect improvement

7. Conclusion It is important that ICT integration be utilized as a medium to improve the teaching and learning process. Efforts should be made to focus on demonstrating progressively improved use of ICT and establishing how best resources can be allocated and teachers developed in order to replicate success