the importance of ict in classroom teaching

8/10/2019 THE IMPORTANCE OF ICT IN CLASSROOM TEACHING

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THE IMPORTANCE OF ICT IN CLASSROOM TEACHING

The use of technology (Information and Communication Technology, ICT) in

education is inevitable in current society. From an economical and social point of view, it

is argued that the labour market requires ICT-skills thus, students should be prepared

for the information society. In Malaysia, the Prime Minister has announced 8 new

investment projects worth RM1.4 billion under six National Key Economics Areas

(NKRA) covering agriculture, education, aerospace, wholesale, retail and

manufacturing. This can be considered as one of the effort to improve the nationals

education quality as well as to suit the needs of the stakeholders

Some roles of ICT in teaching and learning that has been cited by practitioners

over the years are to motivate students, to enhance instruction, to make sure students

and teachers work more productively and to help students learn and sharpen

information age skills.

ICT can be used to motivate students in a way gaining their attention. Teachers

say technologys visual and interactive qualities can direct students attention toward

learning tasks (Roblyer and Doering, 2010). Technology can also be use to illustrate

real-world relevance through highly visual presentations. When students can see that

high-level math and science skills have real life applications, it is no longer just school

work, they are more willing to learn skills that have clear value to their future life and

work. Additionally, students who see the application of what they are studying as

authentic and real are motivated by the application to their daily lives.

Besides that, ICT can be used to enhance instruction whereby interaction and

immediate feedback can be supplied to support skill practice. Software such as drill-and

practice type offers many students the privacy, self-pacing and immediate feedback

they need to comprehend and retain lower level skills. ICT also allow access to unique

information sources; the internet connects students with information, research, data and

expertise that are might not be available locally.

In fact, ICT empowers students to engage in the learning process and give them

an interest in their personal education. By integrating ICT into the classroom, students


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have the ability to learn more effectively, collaborate with each other, and explore the

world around them. Anytime, anywhere access to internet-based tools is necessary to

encourage learning inside the classroom and beyond. For example, students who are

always online or having Facebook, they will always explore something and share with

their friends. It unknowingly makes them more collaborate with each other, However,

ICT provided e-learning to the learners. It is a flexible learning to those who are busy in

their own things. Indeed, they are the people who want to work and study at the same

time. E-learning is a way for them to study at home. It is useful and benefit for them.

Other than that, hints and tips are the best practice for them to share their knowledge

and opinion if they have their own ideas.

ICT can be used to make students and teachers work more productively. It saves

time on production tasks whereby software tools such as word processing, desktop

publishing and spreadsheets allow quick and easy corrections to reports, presentations

or publications. Grading and tracking students work will also be quick and easy with the

help of the technology. Additionally, money and other consumable materials can also be

saved when software tools are used instead of using handouts, worksheets or

dissection animals.

It is clear that using ICT asks many questions of the teacher, not only in terms of

designing purposeful learning activities, but also with regard to classroom organization

and the use of different teaching styles. While the traditional teaching model (whereby

the teacher stands in front of a large group of students and issues them with instructions

or passes on knowledge) can also be adopted when using ICT (for example when

telling a class what to do), it is more common to find with the use of ICT that the teacher

works more closely and personally with individual small groups of students. The teacher

becomes more mobile around the classroom, and is able to engage in detailed

discussions with students about the work they are doing, what they are learning and

what they should do next.

ICT in schools provide an opportunity to teachers to transform their practices by

providing them with improved educational content and more effective teaching and

learning methods. ICT improve the learning process through the provision of more


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interactive educational materials that increase learner motivation and facilitate the easy

acquisition of basic skills. The use of various multimedia devices such as television,

videos, and computer applications offers more challenging and engaging learning

environment for students of all ages.

The use of technology in teaching and learning can be very beneficial in

improving the achievement of students as well as enhancing the efficiency of teache rs

tasks. However, in implementing an invention such as integrating technology in teaching

and learning there might be issues that need to be considered. As a teacher, it is good if

we can make use and fully utilised whatever resources that are available to us to

improve our own work as week to bring benefits to the students. All the limitation that

we faced should be taken as a challenge and not as excuses for not trying the best.

ICT integration in teaching and learning at school in Malaysia might not be fully

developed as compared to other developed countries. However, it is good to know that

we are already in the effort of making things work. The effort of preparing the students

for the Information Age has been internalised in the introduction of the Smart School in

the national education system.

the importance of ict in classroom teaching

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