ICT: Benefits and Issues

Learning benefits

Quick access to a lot of informationStudents are given the freedom to work at their own

paceRemedial and extended lessons can be given in the

same lessonLessons can be given in different languagesQuality material can be accessed despite geographical

location Interaction with peers and experts from outside the

city or countryDifferent intelligences can be catered to and

stimulated

Teaching benefits

Multimedia ICT can enrich learning experience of students

Efficient tracking of students’ progress and skill proficiency

Focus is more on the process than the productEasy identification of learning trends and

problemsCan be of crucial help to the creation of a

student’s portfolio due to opportunities in the Web

ICT-related issues that the country must face

Curricula of educational systems is not keeping pace with ICT innovation

ICT’s needs for monetary resources causes sacrifices to be made in other areas of developments

Technical issues overwhelms the average teacher

Not enough teacher training on how to best use ICT for teaching

Investment in ICT has to be paired with visionary pedagogical insight. New teachers have to be equipped with skills in using new technology. And there has to be realistic expectations from schools venturing into ICT.

Only when these issues are overcome that our students and teachers can truly maximize the benefits from ICT.