L4D Learning for Democracy

How to add your own ideas of key issues

Please add you own suggestions of key issues in the field of education and ICTs in this blog. You can do so by clicking on Write a blog post in the menu to the left. Your suggestion can be in English, French or German. Each issue should correspond to one post. You may post several suggestions. Please do not use this blog for other subjects, they will be removed. In your post please indicate:

1. The name of the issue (the title)
2. A short description 
3. The driving forces behind the issue 
4. Possible obstacles to handling the issue.

An (imaginary) example

Name: The difficulty of using ICT in assessment

Description: Many countries are trying out the use of ICT for selected assessment. Preliminary research into the viability of the use of ICT for assessment proves positive but questions subsist. The harmonisation of educational objectives country-wide calls for periodic testing in key subjects. Teachers are concerned about the additional workload implied. Using ICT is put forward as a possible solution. Positions for and against are particularly polarised.

Driving forces: Increased need for assessment given the introduction of periodic testing of pupils abilities country-wide; a need to reduce teacher workload; a wish to rationalise assessment; a need to capitalise on ICT investment.

Obstacles: The unknown impact of such testing on results; the possible resistance of teachers and parents to such testing; political inertia and conservatism; uncertainties about the additional workload involved; possible high cost involved.