IT'S Just Another Plate to Spin: primary school mentors’ perceptions of supporting student experience of information technology in the classroom

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Abstract
The effective training of primary school teachers through partnerships between schools and initial teacher training institutions is the subject of much discussion in the United Kingdom at present. The quality of development of information technology (IT) capability for teachers depends on an understanding of the contribution of IT to teaching and learning, a technical competence and an ability to organise IT resources effectively in the classroom. Models of partnership should include clear definitions of the distinctive roles played by schools and initial training institutions in the students’ experience of developing IT capability. The study of mentors’ perceptions and expectations of students’ use of IT in their school experience presented here indicates that IT is not yet seen as a priority. Students’ use is limited, for a variety of reasons, and mentors do not focus particularly on IT as an area for supervision. The expectations of students’ IT competence, however, are high. The need for clearer guidelines for supervision, and closer collaboration between mentors and tutors in identifying the roles for partnership in student IT experiences is described. General issues relating to the interdependence of reflective, critical awareness and effective classroom practice are discussed.