A team approach sets the stage to enhance learning outcomes in classroom

Despite system-wide support favouring the integration of information and communications technologies (ICTs) to leverage classroom teaching, many teachers continue to relegate such technologies to the periphery of classroom practice. Technical proficiency imposes demands that overshadow teaching requirements. Teachers all too often see the complexity associated with ICTs to be a barrier to their use. Given the backdrop of four acknowledged dimensions to productive learning in Education Queensland schools, progress is reported here with respect to an ongoing investigation into the use of an ICT, a group support system (or GSS), to effect a shift in teaching methods. Specifically, the application of the Zing Team Learning System (ZTLS) is considered from the standpoint of leveraging teaching and assessment. The findings stress that teachers can integrate the power of a single computer to better manage teaching. Indeed, the use of the ZTLS paves the way for collaborative teamwork. This motivates and engages students (as team participants) to move through a process based on "congenial practices" embedded within the ''talk, type, read and review" operating procedure. Such an approach improves skills, extends knowledge and understanding, and provides enhanced assessment possibilities.