ICTs in schools provide an opportunity to teachers to
transform their practices by providing them with improved educational content
and more effective teaching and learning methods. ICTs improve the learning
process through the provision of more interactive educational materials that
increase learner motivation and facilitate the easy acquisition of basic skills.
The use of various multimedia devices such as television, videos, and computer
applications offers more challenging and engaging learning environment for
students of all ages.
ICTs in school education initiatives that focus on the following
areas are most likely to successfully contribute to meeting the Millennium
Development Goals:
·
Increasing access through distance learning
In almost all the developing countries of South Asia,
distance learning has been an important component of the education policy of
these nations. It is probably in this domain that traditional ICTs like radio,
television, and audio cassettes were first deployed in the education space.
·
- Enabling a knowledge network for students
With knowledge as the
crucial input for productive processes within today’s economy, the efficiency
by which knowledge is acquired and applied determines economic success.
Effective use of ICTs can contribute to the timely transmission of information
and knowledge, thereby helping education systems meet this challenge.
·
- Training Teachers
The use of ICTs can help in training teachers
to accomplish the targeted tasks on a mission mode. Moreover, ICTs provide
opportunities to complement on the job training and continuing education for
teachers in a more convenient and flexible manner.
The Government of Delhi, in India, has been a pioneer in
using ICTs for better administration of the education system. The Department of
Education, Government of Delhi, with 40,000 employees, 928 schools, and more
than 120,000 students under its administrative jurisdiction has developed a
comprehensive and functionally effective Web-based and GIS-based Management
Information System (MIS).
Twenty-first century teaching learning skills underscore the
need to shift from the traditional teacher-centered pedagogy to more
learner-centered methods. Active and collaborative learning environments
facilitated by ICT contribute to the creation of a knowledge-based student
population. Education leadership, management, and governance can also be
improved through ICT by enhancing educational content development and
supporting administrative processes in schools and other educational
establishments.