REFLECTION: Is An Investment In ICT Worth It If We Don’t Change Our Attitudes To Teaching And Learning?

  Research has shown that ICT enhances a student’s ability to learn and has the potential to support     education across the curriculum. It can provide opportunities for effective communication between students and teachers in a way that has not been possible than ever before. 

While reflection on this module it is my opinion if ICT has to be integrated in to education, there must be serious transformation in the classrooms between stake holders .It cannot be business as usual. If ICT has to be integrated in the main stream classes there must be transformation. Teachers must be willing to accept training. Investing in resources for the integration of ICT would be huge. Factors as t safety; servicing and care of equipment must be taken into consideration.   These implications must be taken into consideration. Everyone must be on board Furthermore; teacher’s attitude towards ICT is a very important factor.

The traditional teaching methods no longer provide the students with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in today’s increasingly competitive world. ICT technology has opened a wide range of opportunities that were unimaginable just a few years ago. But for those who do not know how to utilize the tools and technology, it poses a challenge or even an obstacle. Research shows that teachers mostly embraced ICT technology and incorporate it effectively in teaching the subject matter. But the research also reveals that the students often know more about ICT and its applications than their teacher’s. As a result there is urgent need for teacher training.

It is my opinion if Governments and members of the private sectors invest in resources for schools and teachers do not want to be agents of change then it would be useless for hard earn taxpayers monies to end up in the various schools not been utilize.  

Reflection Role of the Teacher Staff Development

Teachers are facilitators in the teaching and learning process. When computers were introduced it was said the computer will make some of us jobless. However, through my readings and reflections of the various modules, I am of the view that ICT is a tool for teaching and learning. But is ICT going to replace teachers? ICT is geared to making learning more efficient, If ICT changes the nature of motivation to learn. ICT will not and cannot replace teachers. With ICT, one can indulge in shared learning resources. To implement the use of any type of technology effectively , teachers must feel confident in its operation and their own ability to integrate it daily into the classroom need other types of resources and technical assistance. Professional training therefore is eminent. It is noted that teacher training has a significant relationship with the successful implementation of ICTs. Teacher training should also not be limited to teachers who teach computer studies. There is need to train all teachers on staff for the use of computers since training is important in order for the teachers to play very effective roles in the integration process.

Furthermore, Teachers must have adequate access to functioning computers, and be provided with sufficient technical support, if they are to use ICT effectively. Teacher training and professional development must be seen as the key driver for the successful usage of ICTs integration in education. The role of the teacher in staff development should be to enhance their capacity to fully utilize the opportunities presented by the use of ICT but to embed the use of ICT in teaching and learning,

The sharing and reflection leaves me to wonder as a Grenadian educator, how I can assist my students to get what is right for them. As teachers do we just get or accept training and just let things remain the same old same old? There is a need to begin with whatever little resources that are available .All stakeholders must come on board and work together to integrate ICT in education

Reflection Computer Literacy and the Integrated Approach

The integrated approach, calls for learning by doing, learner centered. The integrated  approach means that ICT use at schools is most often done in the context of curriculum objectives. Evidence suggests that using ICT in this context supports the notion that ICT enhances the teaching and learning process. The integrated approach includes the use of technology to enhance learner’s styles of learning when a given task has to be completed. However, the major focus is finding ways in which technology can be used by learners in problem solving, dealing with real life situation and logical reasoning.

Computer literacy is the knowledge and ability to use computers and technology efficiently. Computer literacy can also be referred to as the comfort level someone has using computer programmes and other applications that are associated with computers. Specifics skills and knowledge are required to make teachers computer literate. Therefore curriculum choice must always attend to what knowledge and skills and for whom and for what possible uses. Teachers need specific competencies to deal with specific classroom situations .For this reason teacher should specify their own computer literacy needs and create their own individual computer literacy education the need for training.

The readings demonstrated the importance of students learning to use ICT in contexts, where curriculum goals are achieve able while learning to use technological tools. Through reflection of this unit I realized the integrated approach is ideal for both students and teachers’. Students learn computer skills and are motivated to continuous learning.

There are challenges as I stated in the Milestones discussions been resources, which in fact is true. As teachers we can begin to integrate ICT with whatever little resources we have. Integrating ICT is essential in education for the 21^st century.

IS There A Need For Teachers

ICT in Schools - :

The use of ICT is changing teaching in several ways. With ICT, teachers are able to create their own material and thus have more control over the material used in the classroom than they have had in the past. However, with the advent of all modern equipment and resources there is still going to be a need for teachers. In fact teachers are needed to assist students in analysing the various concepts in developing their skills and for imparting higher learning. In fact; there must be teachers to assist students along as they go from stage to stage on their educational road .Students are dependent on the teacher in the teaching process.

The advent of ICT technologies has its implications on school and education. It is not possible to ignore this anymore. Education is faced with the challenge to incorporate computers and communication possibilities in a meaningful way. But this challenge has a reason: When used in proper ways, ICT can improve education in many ways. The use of ICT in education is very efficient, it can provide better learning results and it can be made adaptive to the individual learner. But also more important is the fact that it can be fun to learn with ICT. Furthermore, skills like collaboration, critical evaluation, receiving feedback, planning and organisation can be learned. 

Reflecting on the article spontaneous learning and how teachers can play a scientific role in the teaching and learning process .Using appropriate ICT resources can provide a base and increase students learning in whatever medium they choose.  It might be disturbing to believe that technology can take the place of teachers .Moreover students would not be able to attain their appropriate skills and knowledge without the teacher’s guidance and supervision. Teachers are needed to motivate, guide impart knowledge and transform the teaching situations despite the fact ICT is used to do same.