STEP 3 – Applying the ICT Profile for Students to a Program
Following an analysis of the current usage of ICT and their association with program’s characteristics, comes the time to progressively and coherently develop ICT Profile skills. To achieve this, ICT skills need to be associated more formally with learning activities and evaluations directly linked to the development of skills for the program. This can be done through a dedicated course or as part of a project approach.
It is important, at this stage and throughout their progression, to make sure that students are encouraged to use, in different contexts, tools and resources available to them that are specific to ICT. We also have to take into account the fact that they will develop their own learning strategies, autonomy and efficiency and demonstrate in-depth learning. As this preparation is quite similar to the methods already in place for achieving the other objectives of the program, all that is needed is to reproduce the consultation and pedagogical planning method by contextualizing it to the integration of ICT.
To ease the administration of the level of responsibilities associated with teaching skills from the ICT Profile, we suggest using a skill/course grid. This will help to determine in which course a given skill will be specifically taught, in which course the evaluation will be formative and, finally, in which course this skill will have a summative evaluation. Using a skill/course grid helps to better plan the progressive and coherent evolution of the learning process as they are spread out over several semesters. Skills from the ICT Profile can be integrated into the course outlines and associated with different competencies, either for a specific learning activity, by means of contributory disciplines or in general education, in conformity with the program approach.
Consult the “Philosophy of the ICT Profile” section for information that can guide you in a concerted team-program approach.