Categories of ICT use - ICT, Boca Secondary School

Categories Of ICT Use

(1)  Economic development:  Computer technology plays a significant role in increased production levels, to exploit this, it is of utmost importance to create a knowledge based wealth of people in the operations of such technology. To paraphrase this interesting saying - humans are incredibly brilliant and slow, machines are incredible stupid but efficient - unknown.

It is also worthy to note, the economic gains to be attained from a producer’s rather than a consumer’s standpoint. Possessing the skills needed to produce technology therefore is also imperative to economic growth.

(2)   Knowledge based development: Computer technology has made and continues to make long strides in its development.  It is clear, given its progress from its inception stage, that these strides are not only long but very swift. For a country to effectively take advantage of this, it becomes necessary to adequately prepare the citizens in this regard. As it is popularly purported, success is when opportunity meets preparation.

(3) Curriculum development:  Computer technology offers significant assistance to teachers in both the preparation and execution of learning and teaching concepts.

(4)  Simulation: Computer technology affords students the opportunity to carry out certain tasks otherwise restricted based on the classroom environment. It allows for and caters to all modes of learning, specifically those who learn kinesthetically.

(5)  Virtual learning:  Learning now has limited boundaries, in terms of time, space and access.  Computer technology has revolutionized how, when and where we are able to learn, given the unlimited resources and avenues available to use, via the World Wide Web.

 ICT - Boca Secondary School

Background

The use of ICT in Boca Secondary School is very limited. There is one IT lab in the school with seventeen computers (about 10 fully functioning) and one white board. There is one laptop for teaching purposes but the charger has retired making the laptop obsolete.

Worthy to note

-While choices in subjects are offered and this reduces the number of students in that class, a mainstream class consists of about 30 students.  

-Teachers may carry their laptops to school but it is generally not used within the classroom.

Use of ICT

For one term, one teacher may carry his/her class to the IT lab to use the whiteboard to showcase a film or presentation.

In the area of Information Technology, the use of PowerPoint presentations, students’ interactions with the whiteboard, short explanatory films and thought provoking scenarios and practical experience with computer software are integrated at most three times a week.

It could be argued that:

   (1)   Teachers’ knowledge on the use and importance of ICT in teaching and learning is very limited.

   (2)   The IT lab does not facilitate the number of students in terms of computer usage

   (3)   The classroom in not conducive to use personal laptops to project presentations etc.