Australian Catholic University

Science, ICT and Mathematics Education for Rural and Regional Australia (SiMERR)

This project examines aspects of readiness on the part of schools and teachers with regard to the effective implementation of Information and Communications Technologies, particularly Le@rning Federation Learning Objects (released to schools by ACT Department of Education and Training during 2004 and with specific focus on literacy, mathematics and science). Preliminary evaluation of these Learning Objects (Chapuis, 2003, 23) indicates two key variables in this regard, referred to here as technological readiness (hardware, access, personnel and policy issues) and pedagogical readiness (knowledge, skills, beliefs and attitudes of teachers relevant to the use of Information and Communication Technologies in general, and Learning Objects in particular). The project is a joint venture involving ACU, the Canberra-Goulburn Catholic Education Office, the University of Canberra and the ACT Department of Education and Training.