Page 73 - DLIS408_INFORMATION_TECHNOLOGY-APPLICATIONSL SCIENCES

Information Technology and Application

Notes Uses

The use of ICTs in education extends beyond classrooms with computers and an Internet connection.
There is a wide variety of ICTs currently available to schools and universities that can be
implemented to enhance students’ overall learning experiences in numerous ways. Those schools
and universities that have implemented ICTs primarily use these technologies to fulfill three
objectives:
Increase Networking Opportunities: ICTs helps connect schools to other schools, as well as
individuals within those schools to one another. This ability to network is especially
important for students in rural areas and students in developing countries.
Provide Distance Learning: With the advent of ICTs, learning has become Web-based. As
a result, ICTs have started to replace correspondence schools.
Supplement Traditional Learning: One of the most common uses of ICTs in education
involves students using software programmes such as Microsoft Word to produce other-
wise traditional written assignments.

Advantages
As with other technologies that have been implemented in education throughout the years, ICTs
offer a number of advantages to both students and educators when successfully integrated into a
learning environment. Some of these advantages include:
Increased Access to Resources: Unlike the traditional classroom that is locked at the end of the
school day, ICTs allow students to access educational resources from anywhere at any time.
Interactive Learning Experiences: Many educators deliver information to their students in
the form of lectures. ICTs allow students to access information through videos, podcasts,
and a variety of other interactive media, which creates a more engaging learning experi-
ence for students.
Student-Centered Learning: In a traditional classroom, students cannot control how
lessons are planned. Through the use of ICTs, students can take control of their learning
experiences. Students can decide when class is in session, as well as how the lesson material
will be presented.

Did u know? Increased access to resources is especially valuable for students with special
needs and those students who live in rural areas or developing countries.

Disadvantages

Although ICTs can enhance student learning in many ways, there are some disadvantages associated
with implementing these sophisticated technologies in schools and universities around the world.
Some of these disadvantages include:
High Costs: Implementing ICTs in the education setting can be quite costly regarding
updating existing infrastructures, training teachers and developing quality course materials.
To make matters worse, funding for such projects is often scarce.
Teacher Training: Many teachers are unfamiliar with using ICTs in the classroom and are
resistant to incorporating such technologies into their established pedagogies. To succeed,
the use of ICTs in education needs to be supported by well-trained teachers.
Uncertain Success Rates: Currently, no large-scale studies have been conducted that show
whether or not the use of ICTs in an educational setting will result in a measurable increase
in individual student achievement, making school administrators hesitant to invest in
these technologies.

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