ICTs Benefits

Many studies have shown that access and mastering of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at school can have a beneficial effect on learning, the teacher’s willingness to experiment with new and innovative approaches.Several evaluations have shown that ICTs help to increase the amount of independent and collaborative learning. ICTs have shown to be more learner-centered.

Multimedia contents

Africa is increasingly aware of the need to master information and communication technologies (ICTs) not only to improve the quality of education, but also to promote the socio-economic development of the continent.The integration of ICTs in educational practice gives more liveliness to interactions between students and their teachers. The question is if ICTs enable our learners to explore, find new knowledge and develop multimedia contents, why is the process of ICTs integration into curriculum being dragged?

Multimedia resources

The use of ICTs have demonstrated improved inventive thinking skills such as creativity, problem solving, higher-order thinking skills and sound reasoning along with improved effective communication. Improvements in interpersonal skills such as writing, public speaking, team-work and collaboration, and improved productivity skills including creating high-quality products. The mastery of ICT could contribute to the improvement of quality of education. It has been proven that the ICTs have the potential to transform the rich learning environment for learners. ICT s offers educators opportunities to create multimedia resources to support learning.

How to teach modern learners?

The uses of ICTs in learning have shown great challenge in learning and teaching. The modern learner requires a range of variety of teaching methods as they are always surrounded by cell phones, computers, computer games, videos, television, etc. The modern learner can be taught by using a chalkboard and other audio and visual resources in order to motivate and arouse their interest in learning. ICTs help educators to elevate this situation. ICT offers learners the opportunity of application and production of knowledge for the real world through the use of various software e.g. Open Source Access.

ICT in learning

Major challenge of ICT implementation is lack of computer skills among educators. This challenge leads educators to not using computers for teaching and learning. Educators use computers for monitoring and administration purposes. Educators lack training regarding the integration of ICTs into the different learning areas. Professional development and network connectivity is essential for educators.

ICT implementation

The implementation of the e-education is hampered by various factors due to the nature of the education system that we have. Educators are faced with many challenges in schools. Findings have shown that some Provinces (Western Cape, Gauteng and the Northern Cape) have introduced province-wide ICT programmes integration in their schools and are currently underway with implementing the goals of the policy.ICTs are the main priority at National Government Educational Policy. The South African National E-education Policy is well designed for schools; the challenge is the implementation process of ICT in education and the use of ICTs in support of learning and teaching.

Research findings on ICT use.

The findings show that ICT in schools mean distributing computers, learning software and audio visual aids (ICT tool/technological resources) to schools (Strudler & Wetcel, 1999). The ICT is merely attached to the existing teaching and learning activities without any change in the traditional curriculum or learning objectives. The teaching strategies and learning activities in the classroom have not changed. Educators are using worksheets and textbooks for learning. Educators are not integrating ICT in the curriculum to enhance the learning experience of the learners. ICT enables lifelong learning. What are we (educators) waiting for?