Difficulties in Using ICT in the classroom

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 21^st 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.

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.

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.

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.

References:

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.