Урок. ICT IN EDUCATION

ICT IN EDUCATION

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) is a term which refers to technologies which are used for collecting, storing, editing and passing on information in various forms. A personal computer is an example of the use of ICT in education. Multimedia is also a frequently used term to refer to a combination of data carriers, for example video, CD-ROM, floppy disc and Internet and software in which the possibility for an interactive approach is offered.

This refers to learning about ICT. The ICT has been organized in different courses according to the goal, purpose and area of applicability. What is being learned as well depends on the type of education and the level of the students. Education prepares students for the use of ICT in education, future occupation and social life.

ICT enable the transformation of teaching, research and learning processes at all levels. It empowers teachers and students, making significant contributions to the education fraternity.

In general terms, we can categorize functions of the use of ICT in education as:

ICT as object.

In the education sector, we have seen ICT having a huge impact in the schools and colleges curriculum by introducing it as a area of study. For example in Universities and tertiary colleges, KCA as an example, we see ICT as a field of study in different professional disciplines. Some of the disciplines include Information Technology, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Communications, Computer Engineering, Management Information Systems, Mobile Computing, among the many others. This in turn has led to professions in the ICT, both in education system and the industry. The ICT as an object is a key driver on the use of ICT in other application areas.

ICT as a tool in education.

In most cases, ICT is used as a tool, for example while making assignments, collecting data and documentation, communicating and conducting research. Typically, ICT is used independently from the subject matter. In current higher learning institutions, coursework’s, assignments and other work are no longer done the traditional way of paper work. They are done and submitted electronically.

ICT as a medium for teaching and learning.

ICT has transformed the way the education is delivered. It is as a tool for teaching and learning itself, the medium through which teachers can teach and learners can learn. There are many different types in which ICT has been envisaged as a medium for teaching and learning included computer assisted learning, web-learning, computer-classes, online training, distance education, eLearning, virtual learning, digital training, etcetera.

ICT is used as a tool for administration and management of record such as school examination preparation and printing, examination results compilation, timetable, school fee and school attendance.

In most primary and secondary education sector in Kenya, the actual situation is that most teachers and schools do not possess sufficient ICT educational skills and equipment at present. Although teachers consult each other more frequently, the teacher decides on the educational practise in his class room. He is responsible and has the opportunity to teach in the way he pleases. However, in practice (the classical teaching situation), the teaching method usually seems to be determinative and limits the teacher in his possibilities. Education and teacher are tied to a specific content of education, timetables, amount of face-to-face instruction, instruction time, class rooms, etcetera. Even the teacher’s status is laid down. Legal provisions also determine the educational practice in schools.

Because of these constraints teachers are insufficiently challenged and stimulated to create powerful learning environments and guide students in their learning processes individually and therefore, the use of ICT does not take place.

Negative impacts of ICT in education

One of the major impacts of ICT in education is moral decay. These include access to inappropriate material, violation of personal privacy, and being the recipient of sexual predation, pornography, harassment, stalking, or scams and dissemination of harmful or abusive material.

By use of ICT, students do not learn the basic mental arithmetic skills because they rely on electronic methods including calculators.

With ICT, students tend to do much of copying and pasting instead of learning and taking their own notes. This has led to ethical issues such as plagiarism.

Relying on spell check and grammar features of software’s such as Microsoft word processing lead to lower literacy skills because they tend to make the students think less.

Legal and Ethical Issues on the impact of ICT in education

Some of the legal and ethical issues with the use of ICT in education include:

Stealing software or the use of unlicensed/pirated software. This includes all aspects of making and/or using illegal copies of software. In most education environments, pirated software is rampant, mainly among the students and this raises major legal and ethical issues. You will agree with me that almost every student has atleast one unauthorized or illegally acquired software.

Plagiarism. It is exceedingly easy to do “cut and paste” without referencing the source and without paying attention to copyright laws. This is a serious ethical issue among the education system with both student and teaching staff using other peoples work as their own.

Making illegal or unethical use of ICT facilities such as cyber crimes and hacking

Damaging, destroying, stealing, and illegally using ICT facilities and files that belong to others.

In the educational institutions, the teaching academic staff most cases understand the legal and ethical issues and these can be minimized by:

Modeling and teaching legal and ethical practice related to technology use.

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Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) is a term which refers to technologies which are used for collecting, storing, editing and passing on information in various forms. A personal computer is an example of the use of ICT in education. Multimedia is also a frequently used term to refer to a combination of data carriers, for example video, CD-ROM, floppy disc and Internet and software in which the possibility for an interactive approach is offered.