Integrating ICT in teaching and learning

What is mean by ICT integration in the classroom?

I understood that integrating technology into classroom is like cooking a meal for important guests. A chef needs to select ingredients carefully according to the meal to be prepared. He or she knows that after finished cooking, the well prepared meal has to be presented to the guests, so that the quests are well-fed and eager to come back for more. Likewise, technology integration requires a careful selection of instructional materials and thoughtful preparation of lesson plans. So that the teacher can present lesson to students in a manner that they acquire required skills and knowledge and make them interested to learn more.

Integrating technology in the classroom means the use of technologies to introduce, reinforce, supplement and extend skills of children. When we say integrating technology in the classroom, a teacher simply using the computer to reward for good behavior or performance by letting children play game are not truly integrating the technology. It is because here, the computer is considered as separate part of teaching and learning. Teacher who integrates technology should add value to their activities such that, if the technology is taken away, the quality of the lessons would somehow be diminished.

Levels of ICT integration

Under levels of technology integration we learnt three different levels of technology integration and different scenarios under each level. The first level is Basic level of Technology Integration. In this level, the use of technology does not have major role and the new technological techniques do not involve a substantial change in the teaching and learning process from previous methods. The use of technology just made the work of the teacher easier.

2)     The second level is Middle level of Technology Integration. In this level, technology has a very important role to play, providing both students and teacher with crucial materials and activities. The teacher uses the technology to provide support at key points during the lesson. The technology is well-integrated into the lessons. Mostly, at this level of integration, technology supports more-or-less traditional models of teaching. That is, teachers continue to teach in traditional ways, but incorporate technology to supplement these teaching methods.

The third level is High Level of Technology Integration  

Here, technology is use by students to help them through a variety of important learning processes. The   lesson will be highly integrative, allowing student to make links among member of content areas, use various learning tools and develop thinking and creativity skills. It will be difficult to conduct similar project or task without the use of technology. In this level integration of technology promote students’ learning by challenging them with complex and authentic tasks, worked in a collaborative environment were technology is used to furnish students with information to support their inquiry and investigation process. 

So, after learning about these three levels of technology integration and different scenarios, I came to know that the teacher who is integrating technology in classroom should go for High level of Technology Integration to have greater effect in teaching and learning.

Why do we need to integrate technology in teaching and learning?

As I learn about ICT integration I came to know that meaningful integration of technology in teaching and learning has lots of benefits. They are mentioned below;

1)      ICT has the potential in preparing students for life in the 21st century. Through learning ICT skills, students are ready to face future challenges based on proper understanding. ICT can help students to develop the competencies needed for the current globalization. This is because ICT can help students to develop their skills, boost up their motivation and widen their knowledge and information.

2)      Integrating information and communication technology in teaching makes teaching and learning lively. The teacher can deal with each topic using different materials and in creative manner unlike teaching with textbooks. For example, teaching through slide shows, pictures or movies adds innovation to the traditional lecture method.

3)      Using ICT increase motivation of the learners. Working through online learning sources, along with course book offers variety and a change from working through the same old exercise book. Working through a mouse and keyboard is motivating than writing. Learning through online games and quiz are appealing to both young learners as well as to teenagers. Further motivating factor is that the learners can work at own pace. This motivates the students for learning any subjects.

4)      Through ICT a teacher can provide the students rich sources of authentic materials with attractive and friendly interface; vivid pictures and pleasant sounds which arouse students’ interest in learning.

5)      Children can get pictures, images and videos on different software and sites like Google or Yahoo. Viewing videos of plays, sketches of the characters or incidents helps in giving the students a clear and realistic idea of the text.

6)      ICT are also applicable for assessment and evaluative purpose. Using different computer programs, the teacher can conduct multiple choice questions, alternatives and essay type questions. Along with this, the grades of each student can be sent to him or her through tools like Email. Not only this but language concerns like speaking, listening, reading or writing skills can also be evaluated through ICT tools like podcasts, blogs, audio recorders, etc.

7)      Infusing ICT tools in the process of teaching and learning encourage shy students to participate. Students who are quiet in the class are given opportunity to express themselves through blogs, text chat or discussion forums.

These are benefits of integrating ICT in teaching and learning. So, I realized that in order to have effective teaching and learning, using technology is important.

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