Effective use of ICTs

To be able to implement effective ICT, it is vital that you really understand what it means to you. ‘Effective ‘ is obviously a subjective term, but if we are forced to quantify it, I believe it would be fair to say that effective ICT means making use of ICT to: engage and enthuse learners; raise achievements; enable better understanding; foster improved communication and have a positive impact on workload (Gurstein D, 2004).

ICT in education

The steady change in technological advances, the information explosion, and rapid knowledge attainment is demanding a new learning environment in secondary schools. A great cause of concern, however, is the lack of use of available ICT in education. Although teachers are mostly aware of the multiple advantages of the use of ICT in teaching-learning situations, they do not implement ICT in their teaching. This lack of use of ICT in education seems to be even more of a problem in developing countries such our country. In order to address this problem, the aim is to determine the extent to which teachers in disadvantaged and privileged schools make use of ICT in their teaching. To identify possible constraints that impede the implantation of ICT and to provide recommendations to facilitate and encourage the implementation of ICT in teaching-learning environments.

Electronic collaboration

Electronic collaboration is a process of monitiring, critiquing and cooperating in the project or programs by using internet, groupware, e-mail, etc.Technology plays an important role in our day to day tasks and by enabling collaboration we not only deliver the task but also provide an opportunity to get the best out of the staff involved. In many cases the larger the organisation the more advanced the requirements to be able to collaborate effectively. This may mean staff working together despite being geographically dispersed or working remotely. In either case technology is able to help overcome these boundaries and enable people to share information efficiently and in a timely manner.

E-learning in the classroom

The ability to connect, communicate and collaborate with educators and student in all parts of the world using online tools has changed the way I teach in the classroom, as well changed the way I work as an administrator. A 21st century educator is connected, communicates in reliable and responsible way, and ‘flattens’ the walls of their classroom in appropriate ways to enhance the educational learning experience of all. Therefore, every topic, every unit of work, every opportunity needs to be reviewed in terms of how it can be made relevant through external contact and collaboration. Gone are the days where it was too difficult to bring the world into the classroom. You, the teacher, are only limited by your imagination! With tools such as Skype, wikis, blogs, Elluminate etc there is no excuse for not staging a real-time or asynchronous link-up to support your curriculum objectives. There is also no excuse any more for not participating in a global project, a more deliberated, designed, planned and executed approach to collaboration via internet (Harasim L. M, 1995).