Impact of Information and Communication Technologies On Education
Impact of Information and Communication Technologies On Education
Impact of Information and Communication Technologies On Education
Introduction
Information and communication Technologies have taken over almost in all aspects of
life. As the world is moving at a fast to digital technologies, so for people to be in the
race of survival it has become a necessity for everyone to be able to have the ability
and skills to interact with the new dimension of life; including the computer, internet,
smartphones, etc. According to Sampath Kumar and Basavaraj (2016), Information
and Communication Technology (ICT) is one of the rapid development technological
fields in the global society. Also to implement Information and Communication
Technologies in education is an important need for every country, to upgrade their
education standards. As stated by Demirci (2009), it is becoming increasingly
important in our daily lives and in our educational system. Implementing ICT in
classroom make classroom interactive and student-centered. Castro Sánchez and
Alemán (2011) stated that ICT assists in transforming a teaching environment into a
learner-centered one. According to Lu, Hou and Huang (2010) since learners are
actively involved in the learning processes in ICT classrooms, they are authorized by
the teacher to make decisions, plans, and so forth. By ICT it means the computers,
smartphones, projectors and not only this using teleconferencing, E-learning (learning
through online portals), distance learning (attending video lectures at home) for
learning are all included in ICT. It not only benefits students but also educators as
Serhan (2009) stated that ICT fosters autonomy by allowing educators to create their
own material, thus providing more control over course content than is not possible in
a traditional classroom setting. In another research Samuel & Zaitun (2007) stated
that, ICT in its different “shapes” and “shades” is also expected to, massively, cut
down the workload of teachers and students by making planning and resources
available on the Internet.
Research Questions
1. What are Information and Communication Technologies (ICT’s) and is there any
influence of ICT on the teaching-learning process?
2. What are the benefits of implementing ICT in education?
3. What are the barriers in implementing ICT in education?
4. Which tools in ICT are most popular and has the most positive impact on the
teaching-learning process?
5. Based on the research, what do the investigator feel should be done to implement
ICT’s in the education system of Pakistan?
2
Impact of Information and Communication Technologies on Education
Literature Review
What are Information and Communication Technologies?
Pelgrum and Law (2003) state that near the end of the 1980s, the term ‘computers’
was replaced by ‘IT’ (information technology) signifying a shift of focus from
computing technology to the capacity to store and retrieve information. This was
followed by the introduction of the term ‘ICT’ (information and communication
technology) around 1992, when e-mail started to become available to the general
public.
According to UNESCO (2002) information and communication technology (ICT)
may be regarded as the combination of ‘Informatics technology’ with other related
technology, specifically communication technology. The various kinds of ICT
products available and having relevance to education, such as teleconferencing, email,
audio conferencing, television lessons, radio broadcasts, interactive radio counselling,
interactive voice response system, audiocassettes and CD ROMs etc. have been used
in education for different purposes.
In the view of the above definitions, Information and Communication Technology
(ICT) encompasses all technical equipment and facilities that convert, process, save
and transfer various types of information in digital form. It includes voice telephony,
data communication and computer, radio, television and similar technologies. Copper
wires, fibre optics and a variety of wireless technologies can be used for
communication and for the exchange of data.
technology with efficiency and effectiveness. For example, in an ESL listening and
speaking class, students may be asked to practice their pronunciation using an online
audio dictionary. They are required not only to listen to the native pronunciation from
the dictionary, but also to learn the definitions and examples of a new vocabulary
item. They then have to make a recording of their own pronunciation and provide
examples of how this new word is used in context. Before completing this task, they
have to know which browser to use in order to search a suitable online audio
dictionary. They will have to browse several online dictionaries, and select the one
that best meets their learning needs. In addition, finding good software to record their
voice is another prerequisite for these learners. Therefore, the whole learning process
enriches students’ learning skills and broadens their knowledge beyond what they
already know.
By using ICT, students’ creativity can be optimized. They may discover new
multimedia tools and create materials in the styles readily available to them through
games (Gee 2007, 2011), CDs, and television. With a combination of students’
autonomy, capability, and creativity, the use of ICT can improve both teaching and
learning quality.
2. Whelan (2008) also identified more barriers from the student perspective,
including: subpar technical skills that reduce access to ICT in classroom; an
insufficient number of academic advisors and lack of timely feedback from
instructors; and reduced interaction with peers and instructors.
3. Low teacher expectations and a lack of clear goals for ICT use in schools (Al-
Bataineh et al. 2008).
4. A lack of teacher collaboration and pedagogical support, as well as a lack of
experience among cooperating teachers (Ertmer and Otternbreit-Leftwich 2010).
5. Insufficient time to master new software or integrate ICT during a class period
(Almekhlafi and Almeqdadi 2010).
6. Insufficient skills for managing teaching materials (Frederick, Schweizer and
Lowe 2006).
7. Low software competence and habitual ways of conceptualizing what and how
students should learn (Goktas, Yildirim and Yildirim 2009).
8. Limited knowledge and experience of ICT in teaching contexts (Honan 2008).
9. A lack of specific knowledge about technology and how to combine it with the
existing pedagogical content knowledge to support student learning (Hutchison
and Reinking 2011).
10. Excessive focus on teaching technical or operational skills rather than course
content (Lim 2007).
11. Pressure to improve scores on national examinations (Liu and Szabo 2009).
12. A lack of recognition and encouragement of the timely and effective use of ICT
(Tezci 2011a).
13. A lack of in-service training on the use of ICT (Yildirim 2007).
14. Technical problems in the classroom (Yildirim 2007).
15. Classroom management with large class sizes (Tezci 2011a).
16. A lack of motivation, and technical and financial support (Liu and Szabo 2009),
17. Uncertainty about the possible benefits of using ICT in the classroom (Yildirim
2007).
18. Lack of specific and definite ideas about how integrating technology into
instruction will improve student learning (Al-Bataineh et al. 2008).
19. School inspectors focus more on the quantity of course content and student test
scores than on ICT usage (Yildirim 2007).
20. A lack of appropriate administrative support for the effective use of ICT (Lim
2007).
21. Administrative mandates to improve examination results, which shifts the focus
away from using ICT to engage students in higher-order thinking activities
(Goktas, Yildirim and Yildirim 2009).
22. A lack of appropriate course content and instructional programs (Yildirim 2007).
23. A lack of appropriate hardware, software, and materials (Yildirim 2007).
Definitions
Friesen found that, in the early
days of
blended learning, the term
could mean ‘almost
any combination of
technologies, pedagogies and
8
Impact of Information and Communication Technologies on Education
wholly fair, it does highlight the danger of pursuing technology without adequately
considering how it contributes to the learning process.
Smart Boards:
According to Blau, 2012, “the interactive whiteboard can lead to a pedagogic change
and improve students’ achievements”. Tikochinski, & Zorman, 2011 stated that, “Use
of smart boards includes possibilities offered by the regular whiteboard, together with
other means that enable interactive teaching and learning. Blau (2011) listed three
characteristics that transform the smart board into an efficient pedagogical tool:
A. Divergent learning—the ability to skip from pages on the screen to the internet in a
structured and fluid manner. This ability simulates the associative organization of the
student’s brain and contributes to the organization and clarity of the lesson as
perceived by the student.
B. Smart boards serve as a cognitive tool that expand students’ mind and facilitate
supported joint thinking. Since some of the mental load is transferred from the
students to the board, they are free to engage in higher thinking processes.
C. Interactive learning—smart boards enable interactions between study contents and
the students themselves, both face-to-face and online.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Smart Board:
Many studies show that students’ achievements increase significantly once interactive
whiteboards are used for teaching purposes. Teachers who use smart boards in class
report a rise in the quality of teaching. This rise is facilitated by the ability to conduct
lessons that combine multimedia, which attract the students’ attention and
imagination in creative ways. According to Becker & Lee, 2009, “the interactive
whiteboard has the advantage of adapting the manner in which the study material is
conveyed to the students’ personal learning style”. Dori & Kurtz, 2015, states the
major contribution of smart boards is that, “they afford choices on various topics,
contribute to understanding the material, to developing knowledge, organizing
information, self-efficacy in carrying out assignments in a friendly environment,
increase the efficiency of learning at any location and contribute to it, as well as to the
representation of products that generate a sense of success, pleasure, and contribute to
a more creative and higher standard learning product”. Manny-Ikan et al., 2011, found
that, “smart boards contribute significantly to both parents and students, and therefore
it is necessary to add smart classrooms throughout the entire school system”. Clark
(2012) claimed that “the benefit of smart boards is that teachers can save comments
and explanations on the smart board, and thus record lessons for future use by
students who missed class due to an absence or illness”. However although many
studies show that use of smart boards improves learning and makes teaching
meaningful, a study that examined the ability to solve problems and thinking skills
among students in smart classrooms and students in classrooms with regular boards,
found that it was the students who study in classrooms with regular boards who were
better off. Students who studied in smart classrooms claimed that there were often
technical problems and that the teachers were not sufficiently proficient. Shuck &
Kearney, 2007, “claimed that the smart board encourages motivation to learn, raises
the level of concentration, and has a strong effect on behavior”. In conclusion, the
disadvantages and advantages appear to be rooted in the teacher and students’ use of
17
Impact of Information and Communication Technologies on Education
the smart board. The efficiency of smart boards depends on wise use by the teacher,
with the aim of making the material accessible for the students. Hadad & Gazit, 2012,
suggested that, “teachers must teach how to use smart boards, prepare themselves well
for each lesson, and use all the aides available to them”.
Simulation:
The term simulation is used to describe the activity of producing conditions which are
similar to real ones. Hyland (2009) has declared that, “a simulation is a problem
driven event that occurs in a clearly described realistic situation. Teachers can use
simulations as an ideal technique to use language communicatively and creatively”.
There are various kinds of simulations used in different fields of knowledge (e.g.,
marine simulations, the medical simulations, flight simulations, military simulations,
computer and educational simulations). The training and educational simulations in
turn fall in three categories:
A. Live simulations in which real people use simulated equipment in the real world.
B. Virtual simulations in which real people use simulated equipment in a virtual
environment or a simulated world.
C. Constructive simulation in which simulated people use simulated equipment in a
simulated environment.
In simulations, for instance, the necessary facts are provided to the participants for the
functional part such as their age, job, gender, etc., while in role plays, participants
have to invent facts or act out scenes based on a provided specific description or
script. Moreover, participants in simulations take on functions, responsibilities, and
duties according to their own preferences and personalities, instead of acting or
playing the role. In addition to these differences, imagination may be involved in
simulation, however avoidance of invention of key facts is a must. Consequently, as
Bambrough, 1994, points out, “simulations are different from other role activities in
which the roles function within a structure and the elements of this structure are
represented in a dynamic way”. Another distinction can be made between simulations
and games. Considering the similarities, both simulations and games are autonomous.
However, the participants of a game have only one role who has the same duty, they
are always players and their duty is to win the game. The difference between the two
techniques lies within the degree of reality of function. Simulations provide reality
(i.e., simulations always present a high degree of reality of function, otherwise they
are not simulations) whereas games present little or no reality of function. In this
regard, there is no clear-cut division between simulations and games; rather it is a
continuum. Ranalli, 2008, stated that, “it helps learners to set realistic and
communicative goals, assesses the features of a language use situation, and helps
students to plan responses and have control on the execution of such plans”. In a
similar vein, Freiermuth, 2002, stated that, “simulation gives learners the opportunity
to solve problems without the authoritative persuasion of the teacher by providing a
learner-centered context”. Simulation can have a salient influence on the way students
perceive their classroom activities and environment. Such perceptions reflect one’s
needs, emotions, and expectations. In the domain of education, students’ perceptions
of classroom activities consist of four main constructs namely; interest, challenge,
choice, and joy (Gentry, Gable, & Rizza, 2002) each of which has a significant
association with other student-related issues, such as, student involvement (Lee, Yin
18
Impact of Information and Communication Technologies on Education
& Zhang, 2009); self-regulating learning and motivational beliefs (Kharrazi &
Kareshki, 2010; Ghanizadeh & Alishahi, 2010); students’ goal-orientations
(Jahedizadeh, Ghanizadeh, & Ghonsooly, 2016).
Methodology:
Research Population:
The overall total of respondents for this research was 53 teachers from private
primary and secondary schools. The questionnaire was randomly distributed to the
respondents with teaching background regardless of gender, race, and teaching
experience. There are no preferences set as long as the respondents come with
teaching. Since the targeted respondents for this research are meant for individuals
with teaching background. Hence, the questionnaires distributed are not equal in
numbers where teachers from secondary schools dominate the overall population as
compared to teachers from primary schools.
Research Tool:
A survey questionnaire with a total of 41 items was used as the main instrument in
this study to analyze the impact and effectiveness of ICT integration in teaching and
learning in private schools. A total of 53 questionnaires were distributed where all
respondents were asked to read the statements given and choose their answers based
on 4-Likert scale ranged from 4= Strongly Disagree, 3= Disagree, 2= Agree and 1=
Strongly Agree. The questionnaires consisted of 4 sections. Section A is about the
demographic background of the respondents consists of 6 items that includes gender,
teaching experience, type of school, preference of teaching style, highest academic
qualification and the ability of handling ICT in teaching. The other 3 sections in the
questionnaire focus more into teacher’s perception and the elements of effectiveness
of ICT integration in schools. Section B comes with 15 items that looks into teacher’s
perception of ICT in teaching, section C consists of 10 items that looks into the
effectiveness of ICT integration for students in learning meanwhile section D comes
with 10 items that looks into the effective elements of ICT integration in teaching.
The questionnaire used for this quantitative study was adopted and modified from the
original questionnaire designed by Gulbahar and Guven (2008) that is considered
suitable for this research. Some of the items are designed and developed accordingly
with the title chosen so that the items developed are able to provide the answers
needed for research questions.
Procedure:
The questionnaire was modified before it is being finalized and distributed to the target
group of respondents. The data was collected within 1 weeks through random distribution.
After 1 week, all the complete filled-up questionnaires were gathered and collected for
further data analysis to get the output and findings for the research.
Research Design:
In this research, quantitative methodology was used to collect and analyze the data
obtained from all the respondents. The questionnaire was developed and finalized it
19
Impact of Information and Communication Technologies on Education
before being distributed to the targeted group of respondents. Few sections on the
questionnaire were designed specifically to address research objectives in regard with
the effectiveness of ICT integration for students in learning and effective elements of
ICT integration in private school. Therefore, the questionnaire was distributed to
obtain the data from the respondents.
Statistical Analysis:
All the data collected from the respondents were gathered together to be analyzed. The
analysis includes both descriptive and inferential analysis. Descriptive analysis is used to
analyze the frequency and percentage of the overall population in the demographic
background. Besides, it is also used to determine the mean, standard deviation, frequency
and percentage to identify the effectiveness of ICT integration for students in learning as
well as the effective elements of ICT integration in teaching in private schools.
Results: