World now a days are totally changing. Everyone wants
to be modernized. All the countries around the world are characterized by its
focus on information through use of ICT. ICT plays a significant role in making
the required information easily accessible. It has become an important empowering
tool to generate and share information in this 21st century.
Information and communication technologies are a feature of society that people
regularly encounter in day-to-day life. Similarly, the use of ICT in teaching and
learning has become very crucial at this juncture to enhance teaching and
learning experiences. Therefore, an understanding of the underlying pedagogical
assumptions of ICT is vitally important for teachers to effectively implement
these technologies within the classroom.
ICT plays various roles in teaching and learning
processes. According to Bransford et al. (2000) as cited in Habibu et al.
(2012), stated that several studies have reviewed literature on ICT and
learning and have concluded that it has great potential to enhance student
achievement and teacher learning. Wong et al. (2006), pointed out that
technology can play apart in supporting face-to-face teaching and learning in
the classroom. Many researchers and theorists assert that the use of computers
can help students to become knowledgeable, reduce the amount of direct
instruction given to them, and give teachers an opportunity to help those
students with particular needs. It is also proven that use of ICT in teaching
and learning help the teachers enhance their pedagogical practice and equip
them with the knowledge and skills to use different computer technologies to
access, analyze, interpret process and disseminate information to learners. ICT
also help the educational institutions to provide ICT capacity to ensure that
all teachers and students have immediate access to all software that are
required to support the curriculum and adequate support to implement its use in
classroom teaching learning process without any difficulties. Furthermore, it
can also help to enhance the quality of education by increasing learner
motivation and engagement, facilitating the
acquisition of basic skills and enhancing teacher training and promote the
shift to a learner centered environment.
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| Children watching you tube video on forms of energy in conference hall. |
We are much aware that the use of ICT in the classroom
is very important in providing opportunities for students to learn, to operate
in an information age. It is also help to overcome the multiple barriers and
become successful technology adapters in the future. In pretext to many
advantages many schools in Bhutan lack (especially primary schools) ICT
infrastructure, resources, unstable power supply, poor network connectivity,
use of cell phone contradict with school policy are some of the central issues in
schools at present scenario. In my school, we have few computers, internet
connection and Wi-Fi facility. Yet, those computers are used by the teachers
for professional development purposes such as for planning and preparation of
lessons etc. whereby student never get access to it. Insufficient numbers of
computers for the teachers, net connectivity fluctuation and lack of separate
IT lab are the main obstacles to make computers access to our children and
teachers. Here are some of the clips on how I managed to impart content through
using ICT.
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| Children watching video on forms of energy. |
Advantages:
a.
Children get clear
concept of the topic.
b.
Work load of
teacher reduces when teaching ICT.
c.
Use of energizer
clips in between the lessons breaks their boredom.
d.
Efficiency of
learning increases when activity instructions are on the screen.
e.
Increases their curiosity
when teaching using ICT.
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Class VI students watching video on adaptive
characteristics of deserts animals. |
Disadvantages:
a.
Limited resources
make less feasible to use ICT during teaching learning.
b.
There is no
separate computer lab for students. The teacher has to seek permission from
school administration to use resource like projector in the classroom.
c.
Transportation of
electronic from one class to another after every period is another hardship for
the user as preparation consumes time.
d.
Taking students in
the staffroom carry out the activity is another problem as it causes
distraction.
e.
Lack of IT
expertise: Most of the teachers in my school lack the skill to use the ICT in
teaching-learning process because they did not get formal training. Teachers
rarely using ICT in a classroom due to lack of skill. I feel time has come and
teachers need to be trained in the use of these ICT in particular. In this regard
some initial training is needed for teachers to develop appropriate skills,
knowledge, and attitudes regarding the effective use of computers to support learning.
According to Beggs (2000) as cited in Habibu et al. (2012) one of the top
problem to teachers‟ use of ICT in teaching was the lack of training.” Lacking
in the knowledge and skills of ICT; teachers are reluctant about the changes
and incorporation of extra learning associated with computers into their
teaching processes. Hence there is a problem of teachers‟ acceptance and
adoption of ICT.” Teachers who plan lesson in hard copy claim that “lack of
skills” is a constraining factor preventing them from using computer. Lack of
computer knowledge and skills deprived their eagerness about the changes and
integration of ICT into their teaching practices.
Habibu, T., Mamun, A., Clement, C. (2012). Difficulties
Faced by Teachers in Using ICT in Teaching – Learning at Technical and Higher
Educational Institutions of Uganda, 7(1), 1-10.
