In spite of all the rhetoric and literature supporting, indeed. often promoting, the use of ICT
in geography classrooms, the take up nationally and internationally has been patchy. Watson
(2000) amongst others has researched why this is the case. Key constraints appear to be
unequal access to hardware and software, yet probably of greatest importance is the
availability of training for teachers. For instance in the case of England £230 million is
being spent between 1999 and 2003 to provide the opportunity for every teacher to have
training in the use of ICT to support teaching and learning in the curriculum. The money
comes from the National Lottery via the New Opportunities Fund and is managed by the
Teacher Training Agency (TTA). The scheme aims both to bring teachers up to a minimum
standard and also to ensure that teachers fmish the programme with improved competence
and confidence and with an action plan for future continuing professional development.
This is a start, but the funding is not generous! Similarly, the statutory standards for initial
teacher training in England ITA (2002) specifies: