Let's Get the Show on the Road

Over the last three years the Government strategy on ICT in education has been refocused on getting ICT embedded in subject teaching. The DfES has been working closely with subject professional associations such as ATM and the Mathematical Association (MA) to help with this objective. In November 2004, the Department's ICT in Schools Division (now the Technology Group) worked with subject associations to set up a number of "roadshows" showcasing the best of what ICT was currently available to support teaching and learning. The rationale is that there is now a very extensive range of appropriate mathematical content (software, files, resource materials, tutorials, guides, etc.)--much of it free or at very low cost--as well as a good experience base of using appropriate hardware and classroom management. However, it appears that not only is much of this not finding its way into classroom teaching but also that many teachers are unaware of just what is currently available. The purpose of the pilot regional events is to make sure that those who have a role in supporting mathematics teachers in schools are themselves fully informed. The purpose of this article is to provide a convenient summary of the kinds of materials now available to support the embedding of the ICT in mathematics teaching and learning.(Contains 15 figures and 17 notes.)