Planning and Implementation of ICT-based Education in the Caribbean

 

 

 

 

 

Question: What would you say your role is in ensuring that:These plans are successful?

 

Answer:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Truly having plans are one thing, but implementation of the plans are another.  The Caribbean region so far is trying to ensure that learners here receive the information and practical skills that will help them to effectively use ICT tools in the classrooms because this is what will prepare students to function in the job environment. It is only by allowing student to have hands on learning experience with the tools can the plans for ICT in the classroom be successful, they cannot just listen to or about ICt they have to ‘do’ ICT, for her is where constructivism must be seen.  Therefore, my role for ensuring that plans for ICT in the classroom are successful is to acquire the skills needed as a teacher so that I can revise the curriculum so that it caters for ICT-mediated instruction and mobilise my colleagues to implement its use.

 

Question: Learners develop relevant 21st century skills?

 

Answer:

For learners to develop 21st century skills then my role would be too use ICT in my instructions and to guide students’ usage of the tools so that they can learn from using the tools. Hence it would not just be theory as what, EDTK 2030, (2013, Unit 7) states that many students are doing IT for CXC, but in the workplace they cannot function with what they have. Hence, for me it would be to allow students the practicality of the tools as part of their activities and collaboration as a class, for this will add more value to them knowing what ICT tools are and being able to apply what they know, and skills in their jobs. Additionally my role would be to facilitate students learning using the tools, because ICT develops students critical thinking skills,(McGuiness, 1999),  as such effort should be made on my part to facilitate students learning in such an environment.

 

Question:Your colleagues are not only enlightened but willing to use ICT tools as well?

 

Answer:

My role to my colleagues is to be an encourager to them by showing them the values of ICT- mediated instruction, hence it is advisable that they develop themselves in the area of IC T so that they can use the tools not only for teaching the children, but also for student to engage with the tools doing activities as learning experiences. Professional development in ICT is the key for practitioners to be effective in knowing how to guide student learning with the tools, (Gaible, 2009 cited in EDTK 2030, 2013, unit 7, p. 194) as well as to design curriculum with ICT contents.

 

Question: How would you go about introducing and building ICT use at your school?

 

Answer:

Firstly in introducing and building ICT use at my school I would conduct a needs assessment to see the competence level of of teachers and students use of ICT. Following there will be dialogue with the Administrator of the school with regards to the importance of ICT-mediated instruction, then moving towards redesigning the curriculum so that it can include ICT instruction.

 

 

 

References

Bontere, J. (2013). #CaribbeanICTRoadshow - ICT Impact in Dominica.[Video]. Retrieved from:https://youtu.be/r4lYapHK2H0

 

EDTK 2030: Information Communication Technology in Education. (2013). Regional initiatives for ICT in education. UWI Open Campus, [Essential Reading].

 

McGuiness, C. (1999). From thinking skills to thinking classrooms: A revieve and evaluation of approcahes for developing pupils' thinking . Retrieved from http://www.highreliabilityschools.co.uk/_resources/files/downloads/effectiveness/dfesa.pdf