Availability and Utilization of Ict-Based Facilites in the Teaching of Biology Concepts

Having the ICT technology in schools it encourages the pupils to access a wide range of information and communication opportunities and enables pupils to store and retrieve, draft and redraft, test and analyse. This develops there learning skills that are required for the National Curriculum. These skills include: Communication skills, problem-solving, investigating, evaluating and analysing and critical

The use of technology in the classroom is an important tool to utilize as an educator. Technology allows for educators to have instant access to a plethora of resources that would not be available if technology was not used in the classroom. Teachers have the ability to plan lessons, create presentations, and have interactive games for students to use as a learning tool through the use of different digital devices. Modern day technology is rapidly advancing and providing teacher with many different tools to use in the classroom to enhance the students learning experience.

Technology of the past 20 years has become a focal point of teaching and learning. As a teacher, it is my job to facilitate the learning for an individual by creating an environment that not only conducive for learning, but also places the child in a position to discover and learn them for themselves. Technology has given teachers to opportunity to take learning beyond the classroom, and has begun to reshape their role in the learning process.

Teachers can use technology within the classroom to assist with providing instructional guidance and education to students. However, the use of technology in the classroom has both its advantages and

Technology in the classroom is important for teachers, parents, and students alike, because technology use has become a necessary skill for survival in today’s vastly expanding technology driven global economy. Research has shown an increase in student’s success rates when exposed to technology in the classroom. Also technology has opened lines of communication between educators and parents to keep students on track, and help teachers educate better.

A review of literature was done and then based on the research; a survey was conducted to find out what factors contribute to classroom teachers’ use of computers in instruction. Two previously tested instruments that were used in large scale surveys were used to develop this survey. Validity and reliability were established through the piloting procedures of Tailored Design Method (Franklin, 2007). A modified pilot study or pretest was done by experts in education, research, and technology. According to Lodico, Spaulding, and Voegtle (2010) any survey should be pilot tested with a small group that was similar to the actual participants.

Society is becoming more reliant upon technology every day. Technology is found in hospitals, banks, grocery stores, homes, and schools across the nation. As technology becomes more prevalent in the classroom, teachers need to learn how to use it effectively. Differentiating instruction, facilitating learning, enhancing communication, and facilitating instruction are all appropriate ways to use technology in the classroom (Standards for Teachers). Once these types of technology are mastered, student performance, creativity, and thirst for knowledge should begin to increase.

The first set of questions were used to see what technology teachers use and how often they use them. The seven different devices that were surveyed are computers, smart boards, mobile devices, tablets/iPads, digital cameras, clickers, and televisions/projectors. Each device was rated based on use either daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, or never. Using this data we can see which devices are used most and least by teachers. These charts also show us which devises teachers and students are most familiar with in the classroom. The most significant statistic from this first set of questions is that 91% of teachers use computers daily and weekly in the classroom (Fig.

In Lavin, Korte, Davies). The result of the study further pushes the notion of how important it is for school staff to understand the given technology so they can distribute the information effectively to their students. All the technology in the world will be ineffective if the teachers themselves are not passionate of their work. “Technology has the potential to transform the learning environment from passive to active and more subject to the control of the learner.” (qtd. In Lavin, Korte, Davies).

The approach of the research is based in qualitative research. It is necessary to show evidence of why schools should be provided with technological resources even if it means changing the educational system. The evidence here is firstly taken from West et al (2013), and in particular their Brookings research on Five Ways Teachers Can Use Technology to Help Students.

The method by which data was collected in this study was through a survey. Twelve schools

Teachers can use technology to teach various subjects and to find out more information on how to present a topic in a new and exciting way. Teachers can also allow students to use technology to broaden their learning experiences tremendously.

Technology can help students in all areas of study. Students need to be able to use this technology since, “Currently and in the near future, it is understood that students need to acquire more autonomous skills of ‘information gathering, analysis, and display’” (Todnem, 2004, p. 1). Furthermore, the use of technology, mainly the internet, provides for variation since “Students find themselves bored and burnt-out of the lecture format to classes, so changing the curriculum and instruction to include things like online assignments and educational videogames can be one clear remedy” (Todnem, 2004, p. 1). Teachers who have implemented technology into their classrooms have noticed changes in their students. The most common of these effects being an increase in motivation. In “Effects of Technology on Classrooms and Students” another positive effect is given “technology effect stressed by many teachers was enhancement of student self esteem” (“Effects,” 2004, p. 2).

The present era has progressed not only in terms of education but also in the department of information technology. People usually resort into using technology for a faster way of communication, to progress in work and in education. Some colleges and universities have implemented the different kinds of technology for purposes of developing a student’s skills and abilities. “Technology is seen in several forms from the simple functions of a calculator used in mathematics to the most complicated computers and technological gadgets” (Flannagan L.J., pg. 07). However, alongside the positive advantages of technology and advanced computer system, there is also a negative side or disadvantages causing problems that need to be solved. While the “ideal goal for educators is to implement technology in the classroom and see definite positive affects on student achievement” (Flannagan L.J., pg. 09). We are living in a world filled with high tech gadgets in the current time like ipads, social media such as twitter, facebook, tumbr and google.

Education is one of the most important professions in the working world. Technology has done many things for us in today’s society especially for education and schools. Technology in the school system has impacted the students and teachers in many positive ways, including virtual field trips, testing tips, teacher resources, class web sites, and lesson plans. With computer use in our schools, we have access to many different sources and various types of learning.