We offer an optional face-to-face day to begin your training. Some colleagues prefer initial contact with us, and this enables us to ensure you know where the materials are, how to contact us, and begin to get a feel for what the course entails. On the other hand, you might prefer to do all your training online, via our website, www.historyonline.co.uk only having contact with your mentor by email. Either way, the choice is yours.
Your NEEDS ANALYSIS, or skills audit, plays a vital part in deciding the shape your training takes. You have probably already done one, but if not, we can provide a simple sheet to help you. You will then discuss with your mentor what is the right training package for you. This allows you to focus chiefly on the areas where your current ICT use needs developing most.
Our materials are available at THREE levels - Level One for Beginners, Level Two for those rather more confident in using ICT, and Level Three, which involves practising your newfound ICT skills in your classroom.
Level One introduces you to common computer programs - word processing, desktop publishing, databases, spreadsheets and the www. We feel you need to be confident with those before using them in the classroom. If you do a face-to-face day you will probably cover most of these activities that are relevant for you anyway.
Level Two takes this further, using support materials available on History Online and in the HA/Becta books on word processing and data handling.
Level Three introduces more subject specific software, and allows you to spend some time on a topic you want to explore further.
To complete your training you draw up an Action Plan outlining any further professional development you feel you want to do. Finally, you get a certificate showing you have completed your NOF training.
As we only train history teachers, everything you do will be firmly focused on what goes on in the history classroom. We won't turn you into a 'teckie' but we will help you become confident in using ICT!
