INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES ICTs FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING

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INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES (ICTs)
FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING

• Globalization and technological change-have
  created a new global economy, powered by
  technology, fueled by information and driven by
  knowledge.

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• This process which accelerated in the last 20
  years has implications for the nature and purpose
  of Educational institutions.

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• As a result schools have to change from being
  mere venues for the transmission of prescribed
  set of information from the teacher to the
  learner.

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• According to Alvin Toffter, the illiterates of
  the 21st century will not be those who cannot
  read and write but those who cannot learn ,
  unlearn and relearn.

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• ICTs, are potentially powerful enabling tools for
  educational change and reform. Among others , it
• Help expand access to education
• Strengthen the relevance of education to the
  increasingly digital work place.
• Raise educational quality.
• Make teaching and learning , an engaging and
  active process connected to real life at work
  place.
• However, this is not automatic as we have to
  consider
• _Curriculum and pedagogy.
• _Institutional readiness
• _teacher competencies
• _Long tem financing etc.

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Types of ICTs used in Education

• e-learning is learning at all levels, both formal
  and informal, that uses information network.
• Blended learning combine traditional class-room
  practice with e-learning solutions.
• - Students in traditional class can be assigned
  both print based and on-line materials and have
  on-line mentoring sessions.
• - Blending was promoted by recognition that not
  all learning is best achieved in an
  electronically mediated environment particularly
  one that dispenses with a live instructor
  altogether.
• Open and distance learning.
• Common wealth definition- a way of providing
  learning opportunities that is characterised by
  the separation of a teacher and learner in time
  or place or both. Conventional approaches to
  teacher education have not met all the demands
  upon the profession and this has led to in
  interest in open and distance learning
  alternatives.

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EXAMPLES

• Cyber Teacher Training Centre in South Korea
  offers self-directed, self paced web-based
  courses for primary and secondary school
  teachers. On-line tutorials are also offered.
• In China large scale radio and TV University
  offer radio and TV based teacher training.
• The potential for each technology varies
  according to how it is used.

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THE PROMISE OF ICTs IN EDUCATION

• On line cause materials can be accessed 24/7.
• Educational programming broadcast over radio,
  TV brings together the instructor and learners
  who are in different locations. and the
• Certain types of ICTs such as teleconferencing,
  technologies enable the instructions to be
  received simultaneously by multiple
  geographically dispersed learners.

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THE USE OF COMPUTERS AND INTERNET FOR TEACHING
AND LEARNING

• Learning about computers and internet in which
  technological literacy is the goal.
• Learning with computers and internet in which
  technology facilitates learning.
• Learning through computers and the internet which
  integrates technological skills development with
  curriculum applications.

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THE USE OF COMPUTERS AND INTERNET IN DISTANCE
EDUCATION

• AVU initiated in 1997 uses satellite and internet
  technology to provide distance learning
  opportunities.
• Telecollaboration an education endeavor that
  involves people in different locations using
  internet tools and resources to work together.

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ISSUES ON THE USE OF ICTs IN EDUCATION

• Like any other educational tool or mode of
  educational delivery, ICTs do not work for
  everyone, everywhere in the same way.
• Enhancing access
• Raising quality
• Equity of access
• Cost
• Sustainability

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CHALLENGES ON THE USE OF ICTs IN EDUCATION

• What are the implications of ICT enhanced
  education for educational policy and planning?
• What are the challenges related to
  infrastructure?
• What are the challenges with respect to capacity
  building?
• - Teachers
• - Educational Administrators
• - Technical support specialists
• - Content developers
• Language and content.
• Financing the cost of ICT use.

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ABOUT SCHOOLNET LESOTHO (SNL) PROJECT

• We as SNL having recognised the significant of
  ICTs in facilitating educational change, aware of
  the issues and challenges, we have started our
  own humbled project with the assistance of Open
  Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA).

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PILOT SCHOOLS

• The project was piloted in six schools
• MohalesHoek High School in MohalesHoek.
• Matikoe High School in Maseru.
• John Maund High School in Maseru.
• ST. Agnes High School in Berea.
• Molapo High School in Leribe.
• Mafeteng High School in Mafeteng.

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• The schools were provided with
• 10 pcs per school
• Network cabling
• CD based interactive subject based software.
• Internet access
• The challenges already mentioned in this
  presentation were indeed realised in the
  implementation of this pilot project.

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• As we ponder the issues and challenges of
  introducing ICTs in our education, I want to
  leave you with a quote from Thomas Paine.
• we have this consolation with us that the
  harder the conflict the more glorious the
  triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too
  lightly. It is dearness only that gives
  everything its value.