Abstract
The PIT-project is an initiative of PRINT in the Netherlands. The main objective is to stimulate and increase effective integration of ICT in eight disciplines in lower secondary education. The PIT-project started in 1993 and has worked with more than 50% of all schools, over 2,000 teachers and over 30 curriculum specialists. The Project uses the strategy of teacher networking to bring teachers together to train them, to develop materials for their own situation and above all to share and learn from each other’s experiences. Alongside the physical aspects of the networking, attempts are made to elaborate on telematic support for the teachers involved in the networks.
An extensive external evaluation has been carried out throughout the first two years (round one and two of the project with 196 schools). The most important conclusions of this evaluation are:
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The implementation of computer use in the classroom increases significantly during the PIT-Project.
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The teachers state that the networking is very supportive for their professional development.
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A multiplier-effect seems to develop in the schools involved in the Project.
So the PIT-strategy appears to be a very effective alternative to more traditional in-service training.
The announcement of a third round in September 1995 in which the participating schools have to invest their own funds to join the project, resulted in a subscription of another 230 schools. Another 40 new networks have been formed consisting of 20 to 30 teachers. From November 1995 until November 1996 they will be participating within the new set-up and will be called ‘PIT-teachers’ at ‘PIT-schools’. In the Netherlands this term has become accepted as a commendation.
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References
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© 1997 IFIP
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Hogenbirk, P. (1997). The PIT-project: A teacher networking approach for broad-scale use of ICT. In: Passey, D., Samways, B. (eds) Information Technology. IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-35081-3_25
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-35081-3_25
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