What is the ICT CFT?
The ICT CFT is a framework that outlines the competencies that teachers need to integrate Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) into their professional practice.
It emphasizes the role that ICT can play in supporting 6 major education focus areas across 3 growth phases of knowledge acquisition:
| ‘Modules’ - Phases of knowledge acquisition | |||
| Area of educational focus | Technology Literacy | Knowledge Deepening | Knowledge Creation |
| Understanding ICT in Education | Policy Awareness | Policy understanding | Policy Innovation |
| Curriculum and Assessment | Basic Knowledge | Knowledge Application | Knowledge Society Skills |
| Pedagogy | Integrate technology | Complex problem solving | Self management |
| ICT | Basic tools | Complex tools | Pervasive tools |
| Organization and Administration | Standard classroom | Collaborative groups | Learning Organizations |
| Teacher Professional Development | Digital Literacy | Manage and guide | Teacher as model learner |
There is an emphasis on the educational benefit of ICT integration in each focus area of the framework, to provide a solid educational context for the development of ICT Skills.
As one progresses through the phases, the activities demand greater higher order thinking skills. They move from basic comprehension on issues relating to ICT to finally reinterpreting educators responsibilities to leverage ICTs in unique ways.
It provides a lens through which to integrate ICT into teacher training.
What is inside the ICT CFT exactly?
The Framework consists of 4 parts:
- An overview of the 3 Modules, and the underlying principles of the Framework;
- Appendix 1 - the UNESCO ICT Teacher Competency Framework Modules (describing the role that ICT can play in supporting 6 major education focus areas across 3 growth phases of knowledge acquisition, as described above);
- Appendix 2 – Example syllabi and exam specifications for each ICT Teacher Competency Module in Appendix I except ‘Knowledge Creation’;
- A Glossary to ensure common understanding of the vocabulary used in the ICT CFT by all stakeholders.
Who is it entended for?
The ICT CFT can be used to support the professional development for:
- Educational Policy Makers with responsibility for Teacher Training and/or ICT integration in the national, district or institutional context;
- Teacher trainers (for both in-service and pre-service training);
- Teachers (for both in-service and pre-service training);
- Educational staff working in the area of ICT in Education (e.g. techonology coordinators).
What level of schooling is this for?
The Framework addresses teachers working at pre-tertiary levels (K-12, ISCED 0-3). It can be adapted to address higher education teaching personnel (ISCED 4-5).
What is the background of this Framework? Who wrote it?
The current ICT CFT Version 2.0 is the update of the 2008 ICT CFT. It is the result of a partnership between UNESCO, CISCO, COL, INTEL, ISTE and Microsoft.
The 2011 version is enriched with inputs from subject matter experts and users worldwide, and enhanced with the inclusion of exam syllabi and specifications (Appendix 2).
Who holds copyright? What does its licensing agreement mean?
The ICT CFT is a UNESCO document.
Microsoft which holds the copyright for Appendix 2 which it has released its use to UNESCO through a legal agreement.
The document has an ‘open license’ which allows users to among other rights, to ‘share, copy, extract from and distribute ICT CFT projects and parts thereof to third parties for non-commercial purposes’. The full text is in the inside cover of the publication.
How much does it cost to use the ICT CFT?
Using the ICT CFT is free. There is no charge to use it.
Where is the ICT CFT?
How can I get a hard copy of the publication?
You can come and pick up hard copies in English and French from the Communication and Information Sector, UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.
Due to the current budget crisis we do not have funds to send them out. Please send an email to ict.cft(at)unesco.org