What is Information and Communication Technology (ICT). How Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can improve teaching learning in the classroom. What are the possible disadvantages of using information technology in classroom?
All
of the books in the world contain nor more information than is broadcast as
video in a single large American city in a single year, Carl Sagan
ICT
stand for information and communication technologies and is defined, as a
“divers set of technological tools and resources used to communicated, and to
create, disseminated, store, and manage information.” ICT implies the technology which consists of
electronic devices and associated human interactive materials that enable the
user to employ them for a wide range of teaching-learning processes in addition
to personal use.”
This
concept involves transfer and use of all kinds of information. ICT is the foundations
of economy and driving force of social change in the 21st century.
Distance is no longer an issue when it comes to accessing information; for
example, working-from-home, distance, e-banking, and e-government are now
possible from any place with an internet connection and computing device.
How Information
and Communication Technology (ICT) can improve teaching learning in the
classroom.
In
school students come from different background which involve socio, economic,
culture and with their prior knowledge that can convert in the cause of hurdles
in their learning time. In this critical environment ICT help the instructor,
to reduce the students hurdle at the minimum level that they can easily accept
the essential and new knowledge. According
to the Horten’s, E-learning by Design,
he states that three elements are required in learning; memorization, do and connect
activities. Until students did not fulfill the requirement of these three activities
the students can’t be able to achieve the learning target of curriculum. With
the help of ICT in the classroom, the process of teaching by the teachers to
students and the learning process of students will become more advanced and
effective. Because ICT is power full in presenting
or representing information is different ways. Therefore in education the use
of ICT help to apply different pedagogy in teaching. ICTs can serve multiple
teaching functions and diverse audiences.
This can be through different forms (text and pictures or tables and
graphs) or by enabling changes to be shown dynamically such as in mathematical
modeling or by helping visualization of complex processes in science subjects.
So if the content of subject is well produced and is of good quality, then with
the help of ICT teachers can deliver the same quality of content to all
students equally and at the same low cost.
As
we know that ICT provide the chance to the teachers that they can prepare their
lecture in many ways for students to illustrate the language subjects. For
example the lectures of Urdu and English language according to the curriculum
objectives and the remaining time of the lecture can be utilize in the thinking processes, to the solved real
life problems and especially in the critical thinking. In the classroom the result
of this practice would be that, at the end of lecture students will be able to
start thinking, critical thinking and to solve real life problem at their early
age level of education. Because in the early age of education level most of the students have
more creative abilities, but due to the traditional pedagogical style of
education sometime it can be damaged. Now with the use of technology we can
improve or redevelop, extend the natural inquiry skill of students inside and
outside the classroom. This pedagogy helps to grab the student’s intention,
active participation in lesson important points group discussion, increase
teacher students interaction, self-appraisal and friendly environment in
classroom learning. Information and communication technology is significant effective
tool in school level teaching. This pedagogy helps to involve students in memorize, do, connect practice
continuously happening events during learning and brainstorming start at the
same time.
If
teacher try to give lecture to students that just base on reading content and
definition of concepts. Then this will not be attractive or appealing for
students. But if instead of lectures, students are exposed to; power point,
engaging videos, editing programs like garage band, post card, wordless picture
books, tag galaxy, various computer programs, Google documents and many
more related to content of lesson or
with the students experience it will give more clear and good
understanding. Because students are now
learning through visual learning, auditory leaning, kinesthetic learning.
Another benefit is that kids can express themselves better through art and
music, drama, written work, presentations, group collaboration. Therefore with
the use of ICT we no longer have boundaries we no longer have walls, technology
change with the time, from traditional math to calculator now more advance
mathematic problem solving games, software. The more it develops the more we
change.
The assessment of student’s performance in the presence of
technology, it is very important, essential and basic responsibility of
pedagogist. ICT helps the teachers in
assessment of the students memorize, do, connect activities easily in
classroom. Because the greater use of technology in the education
is aimed at modernizing schools and equipping the pupils of today with skills
that will make them able to use such technology in the workplace one they leave
school. Other stated goals have been to reduce teacher work-load by making
planning and resources available over the internet or reduce bureaucracy by
providing and exchanging information in electronic form. Thus with the use of ICT, teachers can enhance the accountability
of student’s assessment, which helps to given the impression to students that
the teachers mark everyone equally, and whatever replaced in their assessment
marks is based on honestly practices. This practice enhances the motivation in
the students and help to create the positive behavior toward their learning experiences.
Technological advancements have
made the world a great and convenient place to live in. There is no denying of
how they make lives better and easier, especially in the fields of science,
medicine and education.
However there are many advantage with the use of ICT in education but here are some many disadvantage with the use of information and communication technology in the classroom that can never be neglect.
However there are many advantage with the use of ICT in education but here are some many disadvantage with the use of information and communication technology in the classroom that can never be neglect.
- · ICT only produces relatively small
improvement. Other forms of educational interventions, such as peer tutoring,
reciprocal teaching and homework, for example, all produce greater average
impact.
- · Feedback can be misinterpreted or
misused by pupils.
- · Pupils’ aims in using ICT may not be the
same as the teacher’s and this may affect the way that they interpret feedback.
- · Overuse of multimedia can detract from
intended learning objectives.
- ·
Inability to ask a student a question if
the material is not understood.
- · All the students not have equal access
to technological resources because students come from different background in school
therefore some students can’t afford iPads or even the textbooks required for
class.
- · The quality of research and sources they
find may not be top-notch.
- ·
Equipment can malfunction.
- ·
Creating enough room for cheating-
It has really become very tough to control this activity, especially in the
examination environment. Smartphones are available with all its advanced
features and instant internet accessibility which compel them to use it without
any hassles.
- · Extinct of good handwriting- As smartphones, laptops, desktops and tablets wholly
replaced the use of paper and pen; therefore, finding a person with good hand
writing is just like finding a needle in the haystack.
- · Makes learners disconnected from the
real world-
- · Less motivated learners , those who
require a lot of human interaction
learners who are detracted easily
- ·
Moral, spiritual, religious,
politics values can be effective when
some conflict issues are highlights which did not require extra clarification
The factors which prevent teachers from implementing information technology in classroom.
Technology
should not replace the teacher but rather assist the teacher in the classroom.
Teachers play a critical role in orchestrating and maintaining a blended
learning environment. However there are many reasons that prevent teachers from
implementing information technology in classroom. The basic reason the teaching
nature of teachers. Because some people adopt teaching as profession by their
own choice, they feel life and enjoy in their job. So these types of teacher do
each and everything to transfer knowledge in their students. In which some type of teachers feels more
comfortable with their traditional pedagogy. The reason behind can be that the
teachers have complete command on their teaching subject matter. They are confident
on their teaching transfer skill, and enough experience in their subject
content or the content of subject not needs technology. According to them the
without a classroom where students can form friendships and relationships with
their peers, they may not learn the same social cues as regular students.
Without any real face-to-face time with their teacher, they may take the
classes less seriously. Teachers worry that while the technology is engaging on
a creative level, the students may be missing out on basic concepts like math
and language. The other reason can be those teachers who not adopt professional
teacher by their own chose. They enter this profession by change that’s why
they did not take interest in proper teaching pedagogies. They just adopt the
teaching profession for the sake of living hood. So they did not want to take
extra burden in their job.
The other reason can be:
The other reason can be:
Is
too expensive to use regularly: especially in rural areas the facilities of
infrastructure e , internet , computer excess of these things for all the
students or sometimes for teachers is not good in developing countries. And In
urban schools, not all the schools can keep up with the rapidly changing
technology. Upgrading equipment is often costly and schools may not have the
manpower to handle the equipment. When teacher use technology kids gather
around the teachers for understand to handle equipment or new devices, which become
the reason increase the risk of damage devices. This risk cause the teacher
comfortable zone effect and teacher give students quick tutorial how to
properly use and become busy in take care of whatever device(s) he is choose. Teacher
feel restrict if any damage occur the recovery of the equipment not be easily
possible. And this thing can be create barrier for other classes’ practical
experiment
Cause
distraction: Many teachers believe that tablets and
smartphone with internet connectivity and text messaging service can merely be
the source of distraction for students as opposed to a learning tool. It may be
difficult for a teacher to monitor their students so closely in class as to
determine whether they are utilizing educational apps on their tablets or
browsing Facebook, unauthorized website in classroom. . Although such belief is
subjective, scholars, experts and teachers all agree that technology has
changed the way students learn.
Take up too much time:
every experiment, practical, lecture which involves equipment require extra
time to properly transfer aims of usage these technology in the classroom. Some
subject like chemistry, physic, and biology and computer practical required
extra time for clear the concept and students understanding and students
self-experiment. Even if we are take
help of ICT, the chain of Absorb, Do and
Connect or Select, Organize and
Integrate were all asking place in the virtual activity require extra time.
That becomes difficult task to arrange for the teachers and school management.
Restricts to the content of
lessons: if schools management chose curriculum and syllabus
timetable to recover is not enough flexible for extra co-curricular activities.
Then teacher try to avoid using different type of teaching methodology. First
of all these type schools just keep focus on their good school police not
effective & good school police. So if the give the permission to the
teachers for experiment then they add condition that the students should not be
directly involved in carrying out experiment. This would be carried out by a
qualified instructor who would demonstrate the actual experiment to the class.
Due to these type of restriction teacher avoid to challenge school authorities
and just keep focus on their traditional/ standardized teaching style.
Major challenges for teachers-Every day,
scientists come with new discoveries and challenges that keep technology
rolling every second. Software’s keep on upgrading and if a teacher does not
possess technical skills, it becomes difficult for him to execute it in the
right direction. Hence, educators have to be expert in technical skills tool
the school has to hire technical experts adding extra expenses to their
expenditures to overcome these technical challenges.
The quality of research and sources
they find may not be top-notch. The
Internet is a blessing and a curse. Your students may need guidance on
identifying proper sources and unreliable sources. Much reliable researches
relevant topic content is available
online either through schools library or independently through the Internet but
most of them may require a fee.
Technology can disconnect students
from social interactions: ICT only produces relatively small
improvement. Other forms of educational interventions, such as peer tutoring,
reciprocal teaching and homework, for example, all produce greater average
impact. Many people are skeptical of technology and what it does to students’
(and everyone else’s) ability to verbally communicate. By creating assignments
in class that use both technological tools as well as oral presentations and
group collaboration, students will learn to be dynamic in how they learn and
interact with others.
Students don’t have equal access to
technological resources: Students come in schools from
different background economic, social, culture, geographic and gender lines. Therefore
all the students can’t afford iPads or even the textbooks required for class.
So if a student is required to do homework using the tablet, their parents may
not be able to help them with any questions they may have if they are not
familiar with the software or equipment.
Teachers face difficulties in using
software/hardware: they don’t know and aware how to use
computer and what type of benefit they can gain in their teaching, if they get
command on computer usage in education. Because the some teacher get their
education in traditional teaching pedagogy, so they are not user of technology
in their life. That is another reason they did not add technology in their
teaching pedagogy. And in some school outside specialists are hired to manage
the IT systems in the schools. Therefore normally it is ICT instructors who
take responsibility for this task in addition to their teaching duties. The
wages of these teachers are not satisfied.
Confidentiality: sometime
utilizing online forums, social media and other online applications, schools
are collecting a lot of information about students. This could be become a
conflict between schools managements and students’ parents.
School
policies on using ICT in classroom; If the school, and
particularly the head teacher, are not committed to adopting change and
particularly ICT, then if one teacher goes on a course, the rest of the school
sets up antibodies to any new ideas which the unfortunate teacher brings back
into the school. If students’ parents not allow ICT to use in education due to
their religious boundaries and social peer group not supportive for teachers then
teachers avoids becoming a part of working environment conflicts.
References:
EDU 430 handouts, lectures, FQS
EDU402 lecture, EDU602 lecture, EDU 301
lecture
Google, yahoo, Wikipedia search etc ..
Does
ICT Improve Learning and Teaching in... (PDF Download Available). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232607668_Does_ICT_Improve_Learning_and_Teaching_in_Schools [accessed May 17 2018].
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