Journal of Computer Assisted Learning (2002) 18, Innovative uses of ICT in Chilean schools J.E. Hinostroza, A. Guzmán & S. Isaacs Instituto de Informática Educativa, Universidad de La Frontera and Ministerio de Educación de Chile Abstract This paper presents some of the results of the study of seven cases of innovative pedagogical practices using ICT. The study was performed in the framework of the application of SITES M2 in Chile. The results are divided in two sections, the first presents a summary of each case, highlighting its innovative characteristics that serve as models of ‘good practice’ for Chilean teachers. The second part presents the results of the analysis of what teachers did in these cases; the impact on students; and the type of teaching and learning activities in use. Results show that these projects did not provide evidence of having impact on students’ learning achievement as defined in the national curriculum. However, they show that students participating in these projects could learn other things, had the opportunity to develop abilities defined as cross-curricular and practised ICT related skills. The analysis of the teaching and learning activities highlights some deficiencies in the way that teachers implement new teaching strategies. Keywords: Educational Innovation, Information Technology; Teaching; Learning Introduction During the past decade, Chile has been implementing a major effort to substantially up- grade the quality of its school learning contexts, as well as to improve the equity of its results. Major components of this decade-long reform effort are: comprehensive investment and support programmes which combine more resources with new teaching and learning methodologies; specific programmes for the poorer schools; a new, more ambitious and contemporary curriculum aimed at developing higher-order thinking skills; an extended school-day for the whole student population; and better salaries and working conditions for teachers. In terms of national policies, education has been the nation’s top priority during the last decade (García-Huidobro, 1999). In this context, Enlaces (links) is the information and communications technology (ICT) initiative of the Chilean Educational Reform. Its aim is to integrate these technologies as learning and teaching resources for all students and teachers in the ten thousand Chilean public schools. By the year 2002, more than 70% of primary and all Accepted 2 September 2002 Correspondence: J.E. Hinostroza, Instituto de Informática Educativa, Universidad de La Frontera, Montevideo 0830, Temuco, Chile - Email: ehinost@iie.ufro.cl 1 odd/even?? © 2002 Blackwell Science Ltd