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Investing in ICT for Quality Education
By Neil Romano S. Manaog
Master Teacher I, Naga Central School I
Naga City, Camarines Sur
The investments of the government and private sectors in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) have indeed contributed to young Filipinos’ access to quality education.
Although not all schools in the Philippines are wired to the Internet yet, those with access to ICT tools make the most of the technology. In our region, many of our students and teachers utilize ICT in their learning and teaching. Using ICT tools is fundamental in mining class topics, and in doing school assignments, research work and other scholastic activities.
Students show more enthusiasm in an ICT-integrated classroom. I have observed that classroom instructions using traditional tools like chalk and blackboard are becoming less and less appealing to my students. I discovered that using computers, LCD projectors and interactive topic exercises not only motivate my students but also helps me in managing the classroom. ICT tools save time and enrich students’ learning experience. Because of their interest in the subject and the tools used for instruction, students are inspired to participate in the activities and to learn how to create and manipulate their own learning tools.
Even the teachers challenge themselves to learn more about new teaching strategies. Teachers use audio-visual presentations and even introduce recorded lessons in their classes. We are very fortunate because our school has been provided with enough tools to help teachers improve their teaching strategies.
With the onset of ICT integration in education, today’s teachers, regardless of what subject they teach, need to acquire new skills that will enable them to maximize the potentials of ICT and the Internet. Basic skills include the use of e-mail, designing lesson presentations, making grades on spreadsheets, creating simple letters and programs, research work and even online content development. I believe that the acquisition of these skills is needed, or else, the full potential and relevance of the Internet in educational studies won’t be realized by the students. With regards to online shared learning, teachers today should also recognize that learning should not be limited in the classroom. With the Internet, collaborative projects can be undertaken where two or more classes or groups from various geographical locations can work on a common project.
I believe that the success of ICT integration in education can be achieved through the collaboration of teachers, school administrators, government and private sectors. Investing in education wins big. Investing in ICT for quality education reaps greater rewards for the youth, the teachers, our future.
(Published 08 September 2008, Smart Communications, Inc.)
