ARTICLE

 

INTEGRATING ICT RESOURCES IN THE CLASSROOM: AN APPROACH TO ENHANCE TEACHING AND LEARNING PROCESSES

 

Sahala Nayeem A A

St. Joseph College of Teacher Education for Women, Ernakulam

ABSTRACT

The role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), especially internet in the education sector plays an important role, especially in the process of empowering the technology into the educational activities. Schools use a diverse set of ICT tools to communicate, create, disseminate, store, and manage information. ICT has also become integral to the teaching-learning interaction. When teachers are digitally literate and trained to use ICT, these approaches can lead to higher order thinking skills, provide creative and individualized options for students to express their understandings, and leave students better prepared to deal with ongoing technological change in society and the workplace. By integrating in ICT in education we can see many changes that comes to the educational sector. It certainly enhances the teaching and learning processes. There are numerous advantages in both teaching and learning process by the integration of ICT in education. Even though, for the complete integration there are many challenges and barriers to overcome. From making learning more fun and interactive to connecting students globally, ICT opens new doors for education. However, successful integration requires proper training and support. By understanding the power and challenges of ICT in education, we can build inclusive and effective learning environments for all students.

KEYWORDS

ICT, Classroom, Teaching, Learning

 

 

INTRODUCTION

                                      In today's rapidly evolving educational landscape, the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) resources in the classroom stands as a transformative force, reshaping traditional teaching and learning paradigms. With technological advancements permeating every aspect of society, educators are harnessing the power of ICT tools to create dynamic and immersive learning environments that cater to the diverse needs of students. The integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) resources in the classroom has revolutionized teaching and learning methodologies, offering a plethora of opportunities to enhance educational experiences. By leveraging ICT tools such as interactive whiteboards, educational apps, and multimedia presentations, educators can create dynamic and engaging learning environments that cater to diverse learning styles. ICT resources support differentiation and inclusion, providing accessibility features for students with diverse learning needs.

                         Integration of Information, Communication, and Technology (ICT) will assist teachers to the global requirement to replace traditional teaching methods with technology-based teaching and learning tools and facilities. The process of adoption of ICT is not a single step, but it is an ongoing and continuous step that fully supports teaching and learning and information resources. ICT integration in education generally means technology-based teaching and learning process that closely relates to the utilization of learning technologies in schools Because students are familiar with technology and they will learn better within the technology-based environment, the issue of ICT integration in schools, specifically in the classroom is vital. This is because the use of technology in education contributes a lot in the pedagogical aspects in which the application of ICT will lead to effective learning with the help and supports from ICT elements and components. It is right to say that almost all ranges of subjects’ starting from mathematics, science, languages, arts, and humanistic and other major fields can be learned more effectively through technology based tools and equipment ^[1] Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has penetrated the society to the point of becoming vital to most of its day to day functioning, and it has strongly featured in education for teaching and learning in recent times. The integration of ICT in teaching-learning is essential as it creates more chances for teachers and learners to work better and learn more in an information age. Since ICT has the potential to innovate, accelerate, enrich, and deepen skills, to motivate and engage students, to help relate school experience to work practices, create economic viability for tomorrow's workers, as well as strengthening teaching and helping schools change ^[2]

DEFINITIONS OF KEYWORDS

1.     ICT: Information and Communication Technology used to transmit, store, create, share or exchange information.

2.     Classroom: A room in which a class of pupils or students is taught.

3.     Teaching: The occupation, profession or work of a teacher

4.     Learning: Knowledge or skill acquired by instruction or study.

ICT RESOURCES IN EDUCATION

                                     ICT stands for Information and Communication Technologies and are define, for the purpose of this primer, as a " diverse set technological tools and resources used to communicate, and to create, disseminate, store, and manage information. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) defines Information and Communication Technologies: "ICTs are basically information-handling tools-a varied set of goods, application and services that are used to produce, store, process, distribute and exchange information." ICT have potentially powerful tool for extending educational opportunities. ICT have the potential for increasing access to and improving the relevance and quality of Education. The impact of ICT for teaching and learning process has become pertinent as it facilitates teaching and learning process, create conducive learning environment, and help learners develop creative thinking and self-confidence. Quality education depends on the development of information technology in several provision such as enlarging the motivation of learner, enrichment  of  basic skills  and  increasing  teacher  training  in  technology. Information communication  technology  serving  as curriculum/subject transformation tool,  It used properly to create  a  environment  with learner  centered.   Information and communication technologies are used by the teachers to instruct the students to know and access the new pedagogy. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) is increasingly becoming indispensable part of the education system. It has changed many aspects of the lives. Those changes have leads to educational institutions, administrators, teachers to rethink their roles, teaching and vision for the future. ICT has witnessed newest challenges for quality education among learners.

The ICT has been developing very rapidly nowadays. Therefore, in order to balance it, the whole educational system should be reformed and it should be integrated into educational activities, Traditional learning was hard, introduction of ICT has change the traditional concept. It has the potential to transform the nature of education. ICT and their role have a tremendous potentiality of serving its cause and helping the persons connected with the process and product in a number of ways.

 Role or impact of ICT in education are-

1.     Offer the opportunity for more student-centered teaching

2.      Provide greater opportunity for teacher-to-teacher and student-to-student communication and collaboration

3.     Give greater exposure to vocational and workforce skills for students

4.     Provide opportunities for multiple technologies delivered by teachers

5.      Create greater enthusiasm for learning amongst students

6.     Provide teachers with new sources of information and knowledge

7.     Prepare learners for the real world

8.     Provide distance learners country-wide with online educational materials

9.     Provide learners with additional resources to assist resource-based learning.

10.   Producing ICT literate citizens

11.   Producing people capable of working and participating in the new economies and societies arising from ICTs and related developments

12.  Leveraging ICT to assist and facilitate learning for the benefit of all learners and teachers across the curriculum

13.  Improving the efficiency of educational administration and management at every level from the classroom, school library, through the school and on to the sector as a whole

14.  Broadening access to quality educational services for learners at all levels of the education system

15.   Set specific criteria and targets to help classify and categorize the different development levels of using ICT in education. ^[3]

                             Information and communication technology (ICT) in teaching learning means making the effective use of ICT to teach the subject matter in a more interesting manner to make learning easy and fast for the students. It makes use of projectors, internet, multimedia, audio- visual aids and much more for teaching. The use of ICT in teaching learning have changed the whole concept of education and had proved to be of great benefit both for the teachers as well as the students. Through ICT, teachers get an opportunity to use new innovations in their teaching and present the study material in a more refined manner which is easily understood by the students and apart from this, ICT usage in teaching learning by the teachers gives an opportunity to the teacher to get acquainted with the new innovation and become contributors to its use in education. The students gain a lot by learning through ICT and they learn to seek knowledge on their own by using ICT. They also get an opportunity to share their knowledge with others through ICT. ^[4]

ADVANTAGES OF ICT INTEGRATION IN EDUCATION

                           The use of ICT in education provides problem based learning and enables students to be independent, have a critical thinking. The impact of ICTs on learning can be approached in various ways to meet the need of learners. The major advantages of integrating ICT in education are:

·       It improves concentration and comprehension: The activities carried out through digital and interactive tools increase student concentration and, therefore, they assimilate concepts more quickly, enhancing learning. This type of tool involves students in more practical learning, with the aim of reinforcing what they have learnt.    

·       It promotes student flexibility and autonomy:  New technologies promote autonomous learning for students. With the incorporation of digital alternatives such as online courses, each student can learn at their own pace, optimizing time and resources thanks to the flexibility provided by digitalization and connectivity.   

·       It encourages critical thinking: The diverse sources of information that technologies provide bring new points of view to students. In this way, information and communication technologies encourage debate and the acceptance of other people’s opinions. In addition, the exchange of thoughts allows students to learn about different cultures.   

·       It facilitates communication between teachers and students: The whole educational community has quick access to the same resources. In this way, digital tools allow direct and immediate interaction, without the need to be physically present. This was especially important during the confinement experienced during the 2020 health crisis.

·       Increased classroom productivity and collaborative work: New technologies in the classroom, specifically those that allow access to online content, improve learning productivity by optimising instruction time, and thanks to connectivity, it feeds collaborative work, thanks to new teaching formulas.   

·       It stimulates motivation:  The incorporation of technologies in the classroom improves the motivation of students, it is a quick and practical technique to stimulate the study of new concepts. Digital tools are the daily communicative support of the new generations, therefore, they are easily handled in this environment.   

·       It incorporates new learning methods: Another of the advantages of ICT in education is that teaching professionals can incorporate new teaching methodologies, thus improving academic results and encouraging dynamism in the classroom. Moreover, their use implies the development of the digital skills needed to avoid the digital divide. ^[5]

·       Improves engagement: When technology is integrated into lessons, students are expected to be more interested in the subjects they are studying. Technology provides different opportunities to make learning more fun and enjoyable in terms of teaching same things in new ways.

·       Students can learn useful life skills through technology: By using technology in the classroom, both teachers and students can develop skills. Students can gain the skills they will need to be successful in the future. Modern learning is about collaborating with others, solving complex problems, critical thinking, developing different forms of communication and leadership skills, and improving motivation and productivity in the classroom.

·       Benefits for teachers:  With countless online resources, technology can help improve teaching. Teachers can use different apps or trusted online resources to enhance the traditional ways of teaching and to keep students more engaged. Virtual lesson plans, grading software and online assessments can help teachers save a lot time. ^[6]

 

 

CHALLENGES OF ICT INTEGRATION IN EDUCATION

                             There are significant challenges in integrating ICTs use in education rising from environmental, cultural and educational faced by policy makers, educators, educational administrators and students in higher education.

·       Cultural challenges: Diversities of culture in different part of the world are also challenges in introducing ICT in education. English is the dominant language of the internet. Research has shown that an estimation of 80% of online content is in English (Roblyer et al., 2004). A large proportion of educational software produced in the world market is in English also. In most countries where English is not the first language      this represents a serious barrier in integrating ICTs use in education system.

·       Educational challenges: One of the greatest challenges in ICT integration in education is balancing educational goals with economic realities. ICTs in education require large capital investments. Due to financial difficulties, government in some part of the world specially developing countries priority is the rehabilitation of school buildings and teacher welfare. In general, integrating ICTs use in education requires establishment of infrastructural facilities, acquisition of technologies and their periodic updating, management and professional support services ^[7]

·       Lack of software problem: This was one of the major factors that made difficulties in use of ICT.  There were unreliable and pirated software that had been frequently changed in the computer labs which were difficult to use properly in teaching-learning process. In majority of the cases it had been found that the ICT facilities were limited for both the teachers and students and they had to share with other teachers.  According to, the inaccessibility of ICT resources is not always merely due to the non-availability of the hardware and software or other ICT materials within the institution. It may be the result of one of a number of factors such as poor organization of resources, poor quality hardware, inappropriate software, or lack of personal access for teachers.

·       Lack of sufficient training: Most of the teachers lack the skill to use the ICT in teaching-learning process because they did not get enough training opportunities. Teachers were rarely seen using ICT in a classroom environment because most of the teachers were reluctant to use new technology. New technologies need to be integrated in the classroom and teachers have to be trained in the use of these ICT in particular.

·       Lack of learning equipment tools and resources: It was found that most of the institutions had computers. But the computers were very few and most of the time they were being used by students who were offering computers science and information technology (IT) leaving the rest of the students and teachers in dilemma.

·       Teachers’ reluctance to new technology: One of the problems in the implementation of computers in teaching learning was teachers‟ acceptance, which is in turn was influenced by their attitudes towards these media. Teachers‟ attitudes have been found to be the major predictors of the use of new technologies in instructional settings; the successful use of new technology in the classroom depends largely on the teachers‟ attitudes toward these tools.  In fact, teachers‟ attitudes towards computers affect their use of computers in the classroom. Many researches into the problems of integrating ICT in education found that teachers‟ reluctant to new technology was a significant problem.

·       Lack of skilled personnel: It has been observed that the teachers were lacking in the knowledge and skills; and they were reluctant about the changes and incorporation of extra learning associated with computers into their teaching practices. Hence there is a problem of teachers‟ acceptance and adoption of ICT.

·       Lack of knowledge: Teacher’s lack of knowledge in integrating ICT into pedagogical practice. ^[6]

 

 

CONCLUSION

Education should adapt to the ongoing changes in technology, and use them extensively in the learning process. To these changes, education must respond, rapidly, internal quantitative and qualitative developments to transmit knowledge and skills systematic, coherent and stable to students by reflecting after these societies to create a future positive for everyone. In the era of information and communication technology development, the use of this technology in teaching and learning has become a necessity for teachers. Increasing the quality of student learning is the main goal of the learning process, therefore, it become the integration and use of technology in schools and especially in the educational process, to have good results. Due to their learning most successful, conditions should be created for this process to be easy for them. Also, to keep pace with their learning capabilities. So the whole process of technology integration in teaching is that the students to have easy access to the information. In conclusion, the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the classroom represents a transformative approach to education that holds immense potential for enhancing teaching and learning processes. By harnessing the power of digital tools and resources, educators can create dynamic and engaging learning environments that cater to the diverse needs and learning styles of students. From personalized learning experiences to collaborative projects and real-world simulations, ICT empowers educators to enrich their instructional practices and equip students with the skills and competencies needed to thrive in the 21st century. However, successful integration requires more than just access to technology; it necessitates thoughtful planning, ongoing professional development, and a commitment to addressing challenges and barriers. As we continue to navigate the digital landscape of education, let us embrace the opportunities afforded by ICT integration to foster innovation, creativity, and lifelong learning for all learners. Together, we can ensure that every student has the tools and resources they need to succeed in an increasingly interconnected and digital world.

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