The use of the information and communication technologies in teaching opens up a whole aspect of teaching that enhances student’s overall learning and development that will better prepare them for the workforce. In today’s society the use of ICTs is increasing all the time and so therefore it makes sense to incorporate and teach the technology in classrooms. It was mentioned in an ICTs for learning design workshop by Scot Aldred that by correctly including ICTs in the classroom students will not only be more engaged but also perform a lot better overall in their class work.
It isn’t enough to include ICTs into teaching without some sort of framework in which to base the technology. Kearsley and Shneiderman 1998 Engagement Theory involves engaging students in activities with others in worthwhile tasks summarised by three components Relate, Create and Donate. (Kearsley and Shneiderman) 1998, states that there are three means in which to accomplish engagement, which are:
1.Collaboration- involves students sharing information and ideas and working on solving problems and assignments. Email is one very important component of collaboration as it allows communication for all activities.
2.Project-based assignments- this is where the definition or explanation of the task is given. Usually the teacher gives a list of suggested topics which helps give students an idea of possible projects. Also, the teacher may use a certain websites that contains all the relevant information so that students can access and use that information in designing and completing projects.
3.Authentic focus- this component provides students with practice and experience of providing information or presenting some sort of work to an outside customer. Examples include charities, organisations, companies and other schools. Students not only gain valuable experience but also learn skills and knowledge. They also have more involvement in team work and developing an understanding of how to use their knowledge in the outside world.
Before learning about ICTs and how to include them in the classroom, I simply saw them as a way to reward students who have been well behaved or to include them as an extra activity that adds something new to the learning experience or a novelty for the students. However, what I have learnt is that all students have the right to use ICTs to both enrich and enhance their overall learning. This can be supported by what is known as the knowledge economy. Wikipedia defines knowledge economy by the use of knowledge technologies to produce economic benefits and more jobs. The European Commission states that in a knowledge economy creativity and innovation become more important than basic productivity in routine tasks. Therefore, workers need to be able to use ICT applications as everyday working tools. Furthermore, ICTs have a positive impact on the quality of jobs by enabling people to use higher skills, increase their responsibility, work more efficiently, better manage information and also combine their work and private life.
It can be seen that the engagement theory not only provides a framework to effectively teach ICTs but also provides students with the best opportunities to use ICTs which in turn will ultimately prepare and enable them to meet the needs of the knowledge society.
References
European Commission, More and better jobs in a knowledge-based economy, viewed 21 May 2010.
http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/tl/ecowor/ework/index_en.htm
Kearsley, G and Shneiderman, B 1998, Engagement Theory: A framework for technology-based teaching and learning.
Friday, May 21, 2010
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