Development and Evaluation of Web-based In-Service Training System for Improving the ICT Leadership of Schoolteachers

This paper describes an analysis of the effectiveness of an in-service training system developed by a project sponsored by the foundation of the Information-technology Promotion Agency, Japan (IPA). We developed and carried out a 10 days training course for 65 teachers in three different locations. The three main elements of this course were (1) training curriculum, (2) CD_ROM materials, and (3) Web-based support system. The participants of this course were hoping to become Information Technology (IT) leaders in their schools. An analysis was conducted to investigate the factors influencing the effectiveness of the training. Based on our analysis, we were able to draw the following conclusions: (1) Web-based training support system and CD-ROM materials were very effective to improve teachers knowledge and skills, regardless of prior knowledge and skills (2) Traditional instructional style (i.e. one-way instructor-centered style) was generally an ineffective training method. (3) CD-ROM materials significantly enhanced the effectiveness of teachers creating materials (such as a Web page), especially when the CD-ROM was used for self-study. These findings will be useful for educators and educational designers who plan and conduct in-service training programs