The use of Multimedia Tools

In future, I want to see educators in my schools being able to use technological tools (ICT) throughout the curriculum in a unique and creative way so as to improve learning and teaching practice. Educators must be abreast of new technologies related to the relevant learning areas. Educators must be able to use a variety of multimedia tools and network applications – researching online information.

ICT challenges in schools

The implementation of ICT to enhance education, learning and teaching is hampered by educators’ lack of ICT knowledge and the student: computer ratio. Our school have 45 computers in the computer lab and the total number of learners is 1 800. This is a huge challenge to educators as they cannot reach each and every learner and give them the attention that they deserve regarding their computer needs.

My school (Phumula Gardens Primary) is well resourced in terms of computers and other technological resources. Educators have access to computers including the internet. The challenge is that educators are not utilizing these ICT tools for teaching and learning. Educators use computers for monitoring learners’ performance and for administrative purposes. Educators do not have enough time to work on computers hence the lack of computer literacy among educators and the lack of training regarding the integration of ICT into different learning areas.

ICT status in schools.

The Department of Education (DoE) and the Department of Communication (DoC) 2001 published the joint document, Strategy for information and communication in education. The document clearly gives notice of the intention of the Education and Communication Ministries to intervene in education through stating the following outcomes:
Schools will have access to the Internet-linked computing facilities for learner and educator use.
At the end of the Foundation Phase, all learners will have used computers in the acquisition and enhancement of their numeracy and language skills.
Learners and educators will have basic competence in the use of word-processing, spreadsheet, flat data base, e-mail, and web-browser application.
Are the school doing justice to achieve this aim?