It is all well and good to say that you have technology in your school. Computers alone cannot cause change in your school, it has to be integrated into the schools structure. The schools, students, teachers and administrators alike must all be willing to deal with the consequences and or possibilities of using technology. it can bring about a much desire change in the classroom. The transfer and delivery of knowledge changes from teacher to student; learning now comes from student inquiry, critical thinking and through problem solving.It is not only the quantity of computers that is important in the classroom, the key is to how the computer is being used by the teacher. The instructor must also have at their disposal high quality educational software. There is also the opinion for teachers to use programming to create their own personal creative instructional applications. One also has to consider the issue of time and I refer to setting a considerable amount of the teachers time to develop and customize lessons with the guided use of the computer as a multipurpose teaching tool.
In short:
1. Use software to facilitate instruction.
2. Use the Computer for instruction as an instructional medium and as a problem solving tool.
3. Use computer software to individualize instruction and increase student learning.
4. Use the technology to develop higher-order thinking skills.
5. Plan methods to integrate computer awareness and literacy into your existing curriculum.
6. Assess students needs for speific computer based instructiona applications.
7. Safeguard
I believe that having computers is one thing and maximising their use is another. Some schools are fortunate to be outfitted with their fair share and others just tinker on the periphery.My school has two small labs and a library which has six. To access the labs is a bit difficult as we have to juggle around the timetables of three computer teachers. Those in the library are highly subscribed by the students and strictly for student use although teachers do 'sneak' opportunities to use them.Our Fujitsu wireless does not work futher than two classrooms away from the set up and so internet access is limited any distance away from the main controls.
ReplyDeleteSo you see what I mean; teachers are interested to some degree but are hindered. Some teachers use the technology whenever they can and others do without it.I think that the MOE still has a lot of work to do in order to accomplish their vision on ICT in school according to their Draft policy for ICT in education(2005)-" The Ministry shall implant mechanisms so that learners are able to develop skills in using ICT as early as feasible, so that they can use technologies for lifelong learning"(p.24).
Hello Abigail
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that integrating technology in the schools involves all the issues you discussed. I do however think that the most critical issue though is training teachers to integrate technology. I truly not only enjoy this ICT course but I appreciate it because it provides a wealth of knowledge that will assist me in my teaching. One of the things that I think is an opposing factor though is the availability of computer software. Reason for me saying this, is that in my school we have a computer lab but at most times are unable to use it because of some educational software issue. Children love computer activities and I agree by thrusting them forward to use it as a learning tool is an incredible and rewarding venture for our nation’s children. At least our children will be on par with the developed nation’s children.
Imagine the connectivity we can create with other schools. Children will not only have their immediate peers in school to do assignments and learning with but it will go beyond the school walls and enter other schools. Our children will engage in collaborative learning that will enhance not only interpersonal relationships but students will be learning at a faster rate when they connect and share thoughts and even study strategies. I do however wish to see that all children have laptops. By having laptops immense time will be saved since students will not have to leave their classrooms to go to a computer lab and wait in lines. I guess in the not to very far future this dream will surely be fulfilled.