3 Teaching ICT at Key Stage 1 – within mathematics
Using ICT in mathematics at Key Stage 1
This website offers guidance to teachers on the use of ICT within mathematics:
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ 20100823130703/ http:/ curriculum.qcda.gov.uk/ key-stages-1-and-2/ learning-across-the-curriculum/ ictinsubjectteaching/ ictinmathematics/ index.aspx [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)]
This document, ICT learning in mathematics at KS1, lists some ways that ICT can be used to support learning and invites reflection.
Reflection
- What suggestions are made for using ICT skills within mathematics?
- Are any of those suggestions evidenced within your classroom practice?
- Why might some be under-represented? Is this caused by lack of resources, lack of curriculum time, poor teacher confidence or something else?
- Have you used ICT to support learning and/or teaching in mathematics in a different way?
Practical applications
ICT statutory requirements
Pupils should be given opportunities to apply and develop their ICT capability through the use of ICT tools to support their learning. Here are the statutory requirements to use ICT in the mathematics programme of study.
Key stage 1
Breadth of study
1f: Pupils should be taught the knowledge, skills and understanding through exploring and using a variety of resources and materials, including ICT. Pupils should be given opportunities to apply and develop their ICT capability through the use of ICT tools to support their learning.
Take a look at the following game from the BBC:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ schools/ laac/ numbers/ ch1.shtml
Reflection
- Could introducing your pupils to this game help you to meet the statutory requirements?
- What features of this game might encourage you to adopt/reject it as a tool to support learning?
- Is there any scope for teaching ICT objectives alongside mathematics objectives? (Hint: ‘Developing ideas and making things happen’.) What might some of the benefits/problems be?
Other resources
Ictopus: Ictopus (ICT online primary user support) is a free web-based support service for primary education. Amongst the resources it provides are lesson plans designed to promote the use of ICT within the curriculum. The ‘Lessons2Go’ resources can be sorted by subject or age group once you are logged in.
National Curriculum in Action: these examples of pupils' work show how the programmes of study and non-statutory frameworks for key stages 1 and 2 translate into real activities. The resource, Routes – Ben, provides an activity in which children used a roamer to solve problems related to length, http://curriculum.qcda.gov.uk/ key-stages-1-and-2/ assessment/ nc-in-action/ items/ mathematics/ 2/ 693.aspx.
Background reading
2 Teaching ICT at Key Stage 1 – within English