Technology fluency within the context of the Lantec/UNED project

• Grant number: 07/07608-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: October 01, 2008
• End date: September 30, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Education - Specific topics in Education
• Principal Investigator: Sergio Ferreira Do Amaral
• Grantee: Tel Amiel
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Educação (FE). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In spite of tangible evidence as in the familiarity with mobile phones and other digital tools in the hands of students, there is little information regarding the level and dimensions of technological fluency of the Brazilian youth. It is known that this level is low, in spite of increasing investment in the integration of digital technologies into the public school system. The current project has as its objective the definition of parameters for technology fluency within the context of Brazil, contextualized within an existing project conducted in partnership with UNED. An investigation of the technological fluency of students and teachers currently engaged in the Lantec/UNED project will also be conducted in order to create guideline which will assist in the creation of instructional material aimed at developing technology fluency for the professional development of teachers. This model will be developed through theoretical readings, interaction with professors, and will be evaluated through a masters course being taught to public school teachers participating in the Lantec/UNED project. An evaluation of the contribution that current educational technologies have in developing technology fluency in students and teachers of these schools will be conducted in tandem, as an evaluation of public polices aimed at increasing technology use in schools. (AU)