How much ICT work do Classroom Assistants (C. A.) undertake?
I ask this question because here in my school the C.A.s do quite a lot. They create great banners, take photos, download them, manage them and print photos all on behalf of teachers and their classes. They are obviously a great asset. However, I feel that teachers are, in some way, passing the buck. Shouldn’t they themselves be learning the skills and teaching their children? Teachers will come back and say that they haven’t got time and anyway the CA is far better at doing it than them.
I would be interested to know what happens in other schools and what people think.
3 responses so far ↓
1
Graham Davidson
// Nov 10, 2006 at 11:33 am
It depends very much on the classroom assistant, Alastair. We have one who is very good with ICT and another 2 who won’t go near it.
2
Richard Biggart
// Nov 15, 2006 at 2:55 pm
I am running in-service courses in Dunoon on Friday and have given CA’s the opportunity to attend. Some can and some can’t, but they are all keen.
At present a couple of the CA’s have ICT experience and I have not witnessed or heard of any abuse of their skills.
3
Katy Cowie
// Nov 16, 2006 at 6:52 pm
Classroom assistants and additional needs assistants who are working towards their Professional Development Award have the opportunity to study 2 ICT units – Using Computers, an introduction and Supporting Learners through Computer Applications, an introduction. So I would say that assistants do a lot of ICT work but perhaps it should be working with kids and passing on skills such as making banners and organising the photos that the kids have taken.
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