What is ICT?

It was not until later on in my teaching career that the term Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) materialised before me and opened my eyes to what this meant in education.
The term ICT simplified means any technology that has to do with information and
communication.
Information can come in many forms such as sound, video, text, and images, so when you think
of what technology it is available that produces these aspects of information and sometimes a
combination of all these, we refer to such technology as mobile phones, digital cameras, video
cameras for example.
Today information and communication technologies are the one thing and so the repertoire of
technologies expands further to encompass computers and computer-related products, email,
MMS, and other forms of communication.

The Importance of ICT in Education:

Today we do not need to go any further than our own home or even room, to see some form of
ICT in our lives. Whether it be a computer, plasma TV, or mobile phone, we all have them in
some part of our lives. In today’s society, people as consumers of ICT, all strive for the one
dream – the dream of a connected life.
This makes ICT a lifestyle choice for much of the population. In addition, this lifestyle choice is
changing the way we communicate, increasing the rate of consumerism, and changing how we
interact and gather information (Sherringham, Dec 2008/Jan 2009).
ICT has invaded and transformed many aspects of our lives to the extent that we live in an
environment that is dominated by technology which itself is consumer-driven (Semenov, 2005).
No matter how we perceive its presence, there is no denying that it is an important part of our
lives and that it is here to stay.

Key issues to remember in relation to the importance of ICT in

Education are that:
1. E-learning or Online Learning: The presence of ICT in education allows for new ways of
learning for students and teachers. E-learning or online learning is becoming increasingly
popular and with various unprecedented events taking place in our lives, this does not only open
opportunities for schools to ensure that students have access to curriculum materials whilst in the
classroom but also allows them to ensure students outside the classroom such as at home or
even in hospitals can learn.
2. ICT brings inclusion: The benefits of ICT in education is of such that students in the classroom
can all learn from the curriculum material. Students with special needs are no longer at a
disadvantage as they have access to essential material and special ICT tools can be used by
students to make use of ICT for their own educational needs. Despite this, it opens up new
issues related to the 'digital divide' and providing access to ICT tools and resources for those
who are less fortunate.
3. ICT promotes higher-order thinking skills: One of the key skills for the 21st century which
includes evaluating, planning, monitoring, and reflecting to name a few. The effective use of ICT
in education demands skills such as explaining and justifying the use of ICT in producing
solutions to problems. Students need to discuss, test, and conjecture the various strategies that
they will use.
4. ICT enhances subject learning: It is well known these days that the use of ICT in education
adds a lot of value to key learning areas like literacy and numeracy.
5. ICT use develops ICT literacy and ICT Capability: Both are 21st-century skills that are best
developed whilst ICT remains transparent in the background of subject learning. The best way to
 develop ICT capability is to provide them with meaningful activities, embedded in purposeful
subject-related contexts.
6. ICT use encourages collaboration: You just have to put a laptop, iPad or computer in the
classroom to understand how this works. ICT naturally brings children together where they can
talk and discuss what they are doing for their work and this in turn, opens up avenues for
communication thus leading to language development.
7. ICT use motivates learning: Society's demands for new technology has not left out children and
their needs. Children are fascinated with technology and it encourages and motivates them to
learn in the classroom.
8. ICT in education improves engagement and knowledge retention: When ICT is integrated
into lessons, students become more engaged in their work. This is because technology provides
different opportunities to make it more fun and enjoyable in terms of teaching the same things in
different ways. As a consequence of this increased engagement, it is said that they will be able to
retain knowledge more effectively and efficiently.
9. ICT use allows for effective Differentiation Instruction with technology: We all learn
differently at different rates and styles and technology provide opportunities for this to occur.
10. ICT integration is a key part of the national curriculum: The integration of digital technologies
or ICT is a significant part of the Australian Curriculum for example, and this is a trend that many
global governments are taking up as they begin to see the significance of ICT in education.
11. We live in a “knowledge economy": This is an economy where it is vital to have the ability to
produce and use information effectively. It is a time when ICT is pervasive and permeates
throughout all industries in the economy whether it may be health, education, environment or
manufacturing (Moon, Feb/Mar 2007). The significance of ICT in the Australian economy was
emphasised in the recent article by Alan Patterson, CEO of the Australian Computer Society, in
his statement that the “ICT industry now rivals mining in terms of the contribution to the
economy”

Importance of Students Engaging with ICT

It is important for students to engage with ICT so that:

1. Learn 21st-century skills and develop their ICT capability and ICT literacy.
2. Improves their attainment levels.
3. Prepares them for an integrated society dominated by ICT developments.
4. So that they learn the notion of using ICT as a tool for lifelong learning.

If you put a lot of thought into your planning, you will notice a higher degree of engagement and
this can lead to the development of 21st-century skills such as complex thinking, creative
problem-solving, and collaboration.

Technology integration in the classroom is an instructional choice by you, the teacher, and
should always involve collaboration and deliberate planning.

The Benefits of Our ICT Training for Teachers and Their

Students
In today's digital age, it's more important than ever for teachers to have a solid understanding
and judgement about how to use ICT skills appropriately.
Not only can ICT training helps teachers stay up-to-date with the latest technological
advancements, but it can also benefit their students in a variety of ways. Having a digital
pedagogy in early childhood education and primary education is about having the attitude and
the aptitude.

Improved Teaching and Learning Experience.

One of the biggest benefits of ICT training for teachers is the improvement in the teaching and
learning experience. With the use of technology, teachers can create more interactive and
engaging lessons that cater to different learning styles. This can lead to better retention of
information and improved academic performance for students. Additionally, ICT training can help
teachers stay up-to-date with the latest teaching methods and tools, allowing them to provide a
more effective and efficient learning experience for their students.

Increased Student Engagement and Participation.

One of the most significant benefits of ICT training for teachers is the increased engagement and
participation of students in the classroom. With the use of technology, teachers can create more
interactive and dynamic lessons that capture the attention of students and keep them engaged
throughout the class. This can lead to better retention of information and improved academic
performance for students. Additionally, technology can provide opportunities for students to
collaborate and communicate with each other, which can enhance their social and
communication skills. Overall, ICT training for teachers can have a positive impact on the
learning experience of students and help them achieve their academic goals.

Access to a Wide Range of Educational Resources.

Another benefit of ICT training for teachers is access to a wide range of educational resources.
With technology, teachers can easily access online databases, educational websites, and digital
libraries that provide a wealth of information and resources for their lessons. This can help
teachers to create more diverse and engaging lessons that cater to the different learning styles
and abilities of their students. Additionally, technology can provide opportunities for teachers to
collaborate with other educators and share resources and ideas, which can enhance their
teaching practices and improve the overall quality of education.

Improved Communication and Collaboration.

ICT training for teachers can also improve communication and collaboration between teachers
and their students. With the use of technology, teachers can easily communicate with their
students through email, messaging apps, and online discussion forums. This can help to create a
more interactive and engaging learning environment, where students can ask questions and
receive feedback in real-time. Additionally, technology can facilitate collaboration between
students, allowing them to work together on projects and assignments, even if they are not in the
same physical location. This can help to develop important teamwork and communication skills
that are essential for success in the modern workplace.

This importance of ICT training for teachers permeates throughout our online PD for early
childhood teachers and Primary teachers, and throughout all our educational resources. We can
help you ground the development of your digital pedagogy in the following ways:

Learn the Best Practices for Classroom Integration:

To ensure the successful integration of ICT into the classroom, teachers should become familiar
with best practices for teaching with technology. This includes understanding different student
learning styles and designing appropriate lesson plans to incorporate ICT tools. Additionally,
 teachers should be comfortable using the hardware and software needed to effectively teach ICT
lessons. Taking part in ICT training for teachers can help provide teachers with the confidence
and skills they need to effectively use technology in the classroom.

Introduce Your Students to Best Practices in Digital

Citizenship:
Now that you have the tools and approach to use ICT in the classroom, it is important for
students to understand how to safely and appropriately use technology. Digital citizenship refers
to the responsible use of technology and decisions which impact both digital as well as physical
communities. It involves teaching lessons on internet safety, website evaluation, data literacy,
online etiquette, and other topics related to using technology with a sense of responsibility and
respect. Many resources are available online which can help teachers develop age-appropriate
lessons on digital citizenship.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of ICT in Education

There are many reasons why you should use technology in the classroom. There are also
disadvantages too.
My personal reason is that technology to use in the classroom should:

1. Support subject learning

2. Technology can be used as a tool for learning other than a media for fun and;
3. Enable you to develop student ICT capability and ICT literacy alongside subject learning.

Below I have outlined what I consider to be the advantages and disadvantages of technology in
the classroom. In general, school technology should always be used by students as a tool for
learning and a means to an end by teachers. It should never be used just because it is there.
Additionally, simple exposure to technology in the classroom and the haphazard teaching of ICT
skills will not sufficiently develop a child's ICT capability either when it is integrated in the
curriculum or as a subject itself. Here are what I consider the pros and cons to technology in the
classroom.

 Advantages
E-learning or Online Learning
The presence of ICT in education allows for new ways of learning for students and teachers.
ICT brings inclusion
Students with special needs are no longer at a disadvantage as they have access to essential
material and special ICT tools can be used by students to make use of ICT for their own
educational needs.
ICT promotes higher-order thinking skills
One of the key skills for the 21st century which includes evaluating, planning, monitoring, and
reflecting to name a few.

ICT enhances subject learning

It is well known these days that the use of ICT in education adds a lot of value to key learning
areas like literacy and numeracy.
ICT use encourages collaboration
 ICT naturally brings children together where they can talk and discuss what they are doing for
their work and this in turn, opens up avenues for communication thus leading to language
development.
ICT use motivates learning
Society's demands for new technology has not left out children and their needs. Children are
fascinated with technology and it encourages and motivates them to learn in the classroom.
ICT in education improves engagement and knowledge retention
When ICT is integrated into lessons, students become more engaged in their work. This is
because technology provides different opportunities to make it more fun and enjoyable in terms
of teaching the same things in different ways
ICT use allows for effective
We all learn differently at different rates and styles and technology provide opportunities for this
to occur.
ICT integration is a key part of the national curriculum
The integration of digital technologies or ICT is a significant part of the Australian Curriculum for
example, and this is a trend that many global governments are taking up as they begin to see the
significance of ICT in education.

Disadvantages of the technology to use in the Classroom

In my opinion, there are much fewer disadvantages of technology in the classroom.
Technology use in the classroom can be a distraction
True! Students may appear usefully occupied with the task when in fact they are working very
inefficiently and failing to exploit the potential of ICT. They may divert from the intended task
without it being too obvious. However, this is the reason why you should monitor technology to
use in the classroom in addition to observing their learning progression in ICT.
Technology can detract students from social interactions
Oh no! This is not true. Some believe it is, however, you need to remember that technology in the
classroom has a way of bringing students together. It has a natural ability to promote
collaboration amongst students and also, there are many ways for students to socially interact
with technology in the classroom like blogs. Do I need to go….?
Technology can foster cheating
This is perhaps true. Although, there are many ways or tools should I say for teachers to prevent
this. Tools such as Turnitin etc. If this is referring to the Internet….then you should also think it no
different than a student passing on a book to another student and pointing out the same lines.
Not all students have equal access
Out of all the cons, this may be more valid and hold more weight. If there is one thing that a
pandemic teaches governments is that technology at times like this, increase the digital divide.

The Best ICT Tools in Education

1. These ICT tools for learning are affordable - you probably have them in your classroom or
school already.
2. They are generic - this means that they are widely available and commonly used by both
students and teachers.
3. Content-free - this type of software challenges children intellectually.
4. Children in control of technology - the ICT becomes a tool for learning in a variety of different
ways and the demands
5. Develop student ICT capability and ICT literacy - this is amplified when you support and
scaffold ICT learning in key learning areas.

How to use ICT tools in the Classroom

To unlock the potential of technologies to use in the classroom, you need to:
o Establish a starting point each students' ICT learning and embed formative assessment in a
primary school in key learning areas such as literacy and numeracy.
o Plan for progression in ICT learning progression in the Learning Continuum of the Australian
Curriculum.
o Employ evidence based ICT teaching strategies that support ICT learning alongside subject
learning.

How does ICT enhance Teaching and Learning?

There is a list of reasons which demonstrate how ICT can enhance teaching and learning in
the 21st century. However, some of the main ones include:
o Student motivation.
o Student attainment levels.
o Student engagement in subject learning.
The following list of ICT tools used in classroom teaching is categorised into various areas of
learning.

ICT Tools for Developing Literacy

With the 'new literacies' comes new ICT skills as literacy is no longer limited to reading paper
books and texts. Today, new literacies brings the learning of new technologies which are
essential for students to master if they are to be literate for the 21st century. New technologies
can be used to do traditional things in a different, more motivating way. As a
consequence, teachers are challenged not only to integrate technology into traditional aspects of
literacy instruction but also to engage students in emerging technological literacies.

o Word processing has close links to literacy and language development. Being proficient in word
processing skills is something which students will continually use and build on throughout their
school career.
o Blogs are an excellent way for students to collaborate and communicate using an online word
processor.
o Wikis ('What I Know Is'): These can be a repository of knowledge for students and like blogs,
the possibilities for wikis are wide open. There can be research projects, writing projects, and
library projects just to name a few.
o Emails - great for developing online literacy skills. We all write differently online and for
different audiences too.
o Web creation and design: These are really online word processors and so the possibilities in
literacy lessons are endless but can be limited to the teacher's own capabilities in ICT.
o Web searching (Information literacy skills): The ability to find information is a vital skill to have
in the 21st century. What strategies are available to navigate electronic texts and the internet?
Where are the signposts and clues?
o Drawing and graphics programs: Visual literacy is equally important today than ever before.
Imagine demonstrating to your students how to use one of these drawing or graphics programs
so that they can use it creatively in order to add an image to a newspaper article, to understand
how pictures can sometimes tell a thousand words just by the colour, expressions or medium
used
o Digital video: Harness the power of video to help students develop their language skills.
o Spreadsheets and Databases: Who said that these can't be used in English lessons? What
about opportunities for the teaching and reinforcement of a range of higher-order language skills,
such as keyword selection and the skimming and scanning of text?

ICT Tools to Promote Literacy and Language Development in

Early childhood Education

Child development is the most general educational goal for early childhood teachers.
ICT can be used to support the learning and development of both literacy and language in early
years education.
This is mostly conducted through collaboration with other children around computers where the
quality of discussions can be quite interesting.

o Computers offer a ‘print-rich’ learning environment for young children. You will most likely find
that there is a lot more attention to detail in their conversations than in other situations. Some
believe that this may to do with the abstraction the computer provides as it allegedly forces
children to talk more and physically do less.
o Developmentally appropriate programs - There are a few things that you need to remember in
terms of choosing the most developmentally appropriate programs. It is important that you look
for programs that promote speaking, listening, reading, and writing. There are programs that can
record children’s voices. The Gruffalo App is one such example that allows children to record
their voices in time with the story being told. They can then listen to their own voice throughout
the story as it is being told.
o Internet - The Internet can also help children learn literacy skills in their home language and in
the language of their friends.
o Word processors - these offer possibilities for children to compose and write without needing to
have mastered the production of letters by hand. ICT learning tools for early childhood education
offers such a variety of ways for children and photos and videos is another method to develop
literacy and language skills. The reason why this is the number one activity for this is that it
allows children to weave together words and pictures.

There are other tools such as multi-link headphones, digital cameras, webcams, audio
recording software, walkie-talkies, telephones that also encourage the development of
speaking and listening skills.
Interactive whiteboards and smartboards promote writing skills on a large scale. However,
these are mostly used in collaboration with the ones I discussed earlier.

ICT Tools for Primary Schools

o Word processing – a basic and important skill to have for students through their formal
schooling. Students are expected to progress in their skills through primary school and should be
able to save documents, save them in different formats and understand what those formats
 mean. You should effectively help students to develop key typing skills and provide them with
access to printers.
o Spreadsheets – as with word processors, to be able to save documents and to have sufficient
typing skills. Primary exit skills include being able to set up columns, using basic formulas,
inserting and deleting rows, changing font size etc.
o Information literacy skills – web searching is an essential skill in the information age. Students
need to know practical skills and critical skills such as understanding domain names and what
they mean; knowing which are more trustworthy; knowing which are more useful for information
and research.
o Animation (clay or drawing) – stop motion is the best for students to practice and they can craft
a story and develop their higher-order skills as they plan, monitor and evaluate their own work.
o Presentation software – you could use Prezi or PowerPoint, whichever one you prefer and are
familiar with the most. Ensure that by the end of primary school, they leave with skills such as
being able to create handouts and notes pages, setting up animations, designing their own slide
design and inserting tables, images, and smart art graphics.
o Blogging – this is a type of website or part of a website that can be updated with new content
from time to time. Most are interactive and allows students to have a controlled online presence.
o Web 2.0 – one of best ways to develop higher-order skills for students. It includes Twitter,
Facebook where you can create a class page and Tumblr which is awesome for digital images
with short titles.
o Publishing programs – the most familiar of these is MS Publisher which is great for developing
literacy skills which makes it extremely useful in primary education.
o Making a video – yep….students can create a video, edit it, and evaluate it as most iPads
contain a recording camera. Students can transfer it to a program where can continue to piece
together their work.
o Web design – students can do this anywhere and at any time these times. Did you know that if
they have MS Word that they can create a single web page using this program? Awesome right!

How can ICT in Education help your students today?

The other day, I came to understand a huge realisation of what is happening at the moment with
the global pandemic. You may have noticed it yourself but the digital divide between those who
are ICT capable and those who are not is being heavily exposed.

What is ICT in Education?

There is much ICT entering the education sector these days it is almost hard to keep track of.
However, depending on where you work you may not have access to them and so I will make
this quite simple for you to understand. You don’t need the latest and greatest ICT in education
to achieve your goals in integrating ICT in your learning environment.
o Content-free and generic – meaning that most of what you can successfully integrate ICT with,
you already have;
o Challenge students intellectually;
o Gives students full control over the technology;
o Provides a high degree of decision-making on behalf of students.

I am referring to here ICTs in education such as word processors, databases, spreadsheets,

coding programs, multimedia programs like presentation software.
 What are the most used ICTs in education?
o Blogs and social networks;
o Planning through ICT tools;
o Data storage in the cloud;
o Interactive whiteboards.

Understanding why schools need to invest in ICT in

education
o Increased motivation and engagement of the students;
o Develop student ICT capability;
o Active collaboration;
o Develops discernment;
o Searching for sources on the Internet;
o Increasing student interest in learning;
o Interactivity;
o Enhancing creativity;
o Increased communication and;
o The personalisation of learning.

What is a school ICT policy?

When determining 'what is ICT policy', the meaning comes to that a school ICT policy is a
document that sets out how you use ICT in teaching and learning and indeed, throughout the
wider context of the school itself. It should form the back-bone to the school’s developing ICT
culture which is the combination of the realisation of relationships, beliefs, attitudes, and
ideologies of all staff that works within the school.

The school ICT policy consists of the following sections:

1. Introduction - should outline what you want the policy to achieve.
2. Vision statement - an agreed vision for the future of ICT.
3. Mission statement - outlines how the school intends to achieve its vision.
4. Shorter statement outlining what is meant by the term ICT in the context of the school and what
exactly is its scope and significance.
5. Overall aims - The aims are developed within the ICT Policy as the long-term goals that the
school seeks to achieve.
6. Explain how the school will meet the requirements for the National Curriculum in terms of ICT
capability development.
7. A statement about how ICT will be used and ICT capability developed in all subjects of the
curriculum.
8. Summary of the ICT resources.
9. Brief statement about health and safety use of ICT.
10. Relate the policy to other policies.
11. Refer to whatever teacher professional development and training, including how individual
staff needs are identified and how progress is monitored.
12. Describe how planning and teaching are monitored.
13. Describe technical support.
14. Acknowledge the extensive use of ICT by children outside of school.
15. Make reference to the use of ICT for administration purposes.
16. Refer briefly to legal or ethical issues including licencing, copyright and data protection.