What is ICT? What does this mean for education?

What is ICT? What does this mean for education?

“Students perceived ICT as an integrated working tool, that is, a tool they used daily for writing, to communicate with fellow students, and to collect information.” (Rasmussen, I., & Ludvigsen, S. 2009)

“All levels of the educational system studies have found that computers in education have changed the use of learning resources toward an increased use of multiple ICT resources (e.g., Kozma & McGhee, 2003). Findings from studies that have investigated how such resources are actually used find that although some profit, others experience major problems in their efforts to orient themselves because in their experience the complexity becomes too high (e.g., Hartley & Bendixen, 2001). These findings suggest that the introduction of ICT has introduced new obstacles as well as amplifiers for learning. In other words, educational practises are not unaffected after the introduction of ICT.” (Rasmussen, I., & Ludvigsen, S. 2009)

My Summary

ICT stands for information communication software. In education this means technologies such as email, search engines, smart boards, kindles and laptops. The introduction of such technologies has opened up a range of educational opportunities. However technology has also introduced a new set range of problems in our classrooms. Problems such as inequity of the technologies available at home and in the classroom can put some students at a disadvantage, as well as the obvious problem of the technical fluency (or lack of) of both the teachers and students.

References

Hartley, K., & Bendixen, L. D. (2001). Educational research in the Internet age: Examining the role of individual characteristics. Educational Researcher, 30, 22–26.

Kozma, R. B., & McGhee, R. (2003). ICT and innovative classroom practice. In R. B. Kozma (Ed.), Technology, innovation, and educational change. A global perspective (pp. 43–80). Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education.

Rasmussen, I., & Ludvigsen, S. (2009). The Hedgehog and the Fox: A Discussion of the Approaches to the Analysis of ICT Reforms in Teacher Education of Larry Cuban and Yrjo Engestrom. Mind, Culture & Activity, 16(1), 83-104. doi:10.1080/10749030802477390.