Learning In ICT-enabled classrooms

Learning in ICT-enabled classrooms

Technology is shaping our future and as such our students need to be positioned to take advantage of the opportunities that would present themselves as a result of the technological advances. The inclusion of ICT into the curriculum at both the primary and secondary level is intended to do just that. 

The readings in the module “Learning in ICT-enabled classrooms” provided lots of food for thought. According to the readings, two major hindrances stand in the way of the successful integration of ICT into the curriculum, the lack of one to one computing and the resistance to change.  It is noted that for true technological advance to occur the computer must be personal to each learner having the personal touch of the student.  In this regard we are well on our way here in St Vincent and the Grenadines with the 1 lap top per child initiative. Our student have become quite verse in the use of these computers in very quick time. What we need to work towards is getting our students to begin to use these computers to construct their own learning. In this regard we need a cadre or teachers who are highly qualified in ICT to lead the way and to train others.

 A number of devices and methodologies that have been employed in classrooms in more developed countries like the US were also mentioned in the readings. In our own Vincentian context though, it would be difficult if not impossible for us to make full use of these in our classrooms because of the prohibitive costs of some of these devices (smart board, tablets etc.). Additionally, the rapid change in technology in a sense is working against us, in that by the time the market price for a number of these products have fallen sufficiently for us to acquire them, they would have become outdated. 

As teachers, what we need to do is to make the best use of the resources that are at our disposal. In making the best use of the technology that we have, we need to carefully consider what we want to achieve at the end of section or segment of a lesson and determine which type of instructional media will best support that outcome. All of this is part of effective classroom management.

  

I couldn’t agree more with Mark Prensky, that we needs to adapt existing technology to me our particular needs. I go a little further and add that as a people, we have to begin to move away from merely being consumers and begin to move towards producing products to suit our particular needs.