The following sub-section presents the research results as per specific objectives of the study. A total of 246 respondents participated to the entire survey questionnaire, of which 48% (118) were male students and 52%(128) were female students which shows a good gender balance among respondents. Table 4 shows that 75.2%(185) responded on the section of students’ skills and commonly used ICT tools and software and 24.8%(61) questionnaires were invalid, 67.5%(166) was a valid responses under students’ attitude towards ICT and their belief regarding its usefulness and 32.5%(80) questionnaires were invalid, 91.5%(225) was a valid response under students’ knowledge in different aspects of ICT and 8.5%(21) questionnaires were invalid.
The following likert scale interpretation was used in evaluating the students’ skills, knowledge and attitudes on effective use of ICT.
Figure 2 shows that mean score was 3.21 and standard deviation of students’ skills and competences on commonly used ICT tools and software in the selected PSS was 0.585. Table 5 also shows the T-test analysis of males and females, with means score of 3.44 for males and 3.00 for females. Both students’ males and female skills and competence on commonly used ICT tools and software was rated as moderate. These skills includes, using: e-mail applications effectively, internet facilities like Bulletin board, mailing lists and discussion groups, web browsers and search engines, Microsoft word, spreadsheet programs and
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
Information technology skills enable an individual to use computers, software applications, databases, and other technologies to achieve a wide variety of academic, work-related, and personal goals. Information literate individuals necessarily develop some technology skills. Information literacy, while showing a significant overlap with information technology skills, is a distinct and broader area of competence. Increasingly, information technology skills are interwoven with, and support, information literacy. A 2011 report from the National Research Council promotes the concept of "fluency" with information technology and delineates several distinctions useful in understanding relationships among information literacy, computer literacy, and broader technological competence. The report notes that "computer literacy" is concerned with rote learning of specific hardware and software applications, while "fluency with technology" focuses on understanding the underlying concepts of technology and applying problem-solving and critical thinking to using technology. The report also discusses differences between information technology fluency and information literacy as it is understood in K-12 and higher education. Among these are information literacy’s focus on content, communication, analysis, information searching, and
Information from Internet source can be inaccurate and may affect students in formulating research questions and answers based on gathered information (Turusheva, 2009). The trend continues whereas students at the beginning level prefer to use Internet sources because of easier access to the material (Turusheva, 2009). This practice may have a devastating effect on to academic study because of the validity issues of millions of information circulating the web. Given its validity, the importance of using the latest technology is the information is updated regularly. According to Turusheva, “it is important to remember that 50% of information from the university becomes old in 5 years.” “Although new technology gives an opportunity to be fully responsible for own studies and trust own communication and information skills (Turusheva, 2009). In this argument, it is important to determine which one is valid and to select the crucial information (Turusheva, 2009). Using the crucial information to integrate into the study will represent a good formulated research result.
The most basic principle of technology is a piece of paper and pen. Due to the abundant usage of applying technology like: tablets, computer desktops and laptops, programs, and websites, they are individually affecting the traditional forms of learning in negative ways (Black, 617). Although, technology can have some forms of promoting positive learning abilities, there are very mixed concerns with everyday usage versus it only being applied when needed for the curriculum. For example, computer literacy is accepted as an integral and crucial part of learning class materials, especially for childhood class projects. Most information is obtainable online via children scholarly websites and school databases. Without an essential school district website, many parents would not be able to view certain important dates, upcoming events for their children to attend; whereas children whom learn to use computer databases for school projects will have the ability to find sources and an abundance of information. Nowadays, it has been proven that children who are much more literate with navigating the Internet, all of its properties, and how computers work in general will be expected to know how to use computers in their near future (Black, 617). Studies also have shown that amongst many educators, using technological tools for educational purposes may be considered a hindrance in regards to adapting and learning the new ways of technology compared to the traditional ways of educating. But, since children are now brought into a society that is extremely literate in operating and navigating these technological devices inside and outside of the classroom, teachers ensure that they are using these devices and programs inside the classrooms for educational purposes throughout the entire curriculum (Black, 617).
In behalf of the fact, technology is broad, therefore one student may have a better brand of computer than the other. The one with the better brand would have more features allowing them to have the upper hand on getting a better grade on their project, as though to the student who does not have the same resource. Therefore, if the school manages the technology in which students use for there work it will create an even play field. Allowing students to use technology in school personalize and improve the education due to the fact later in their career its going to mandatory to use technology, because technology is native in todays society. “Students use E-books, which is purchasing digital edition instead of the traditional hardcover books in which we are use to. Not only so but it can help to organize because personal technology has features that can help students with their organization. For instance, note taking applications, calendars and virtual sticky notes” (Antonucci, Nicole).
Technology can also be integrated into the class through the use of software. Selecting the software is one of the most important components of success when using it for instruction. One has to take the needs and characteristics of each learner into consideration. There are hundreds of types of software available. The teachers who will be using it with the assistance from the technology coordinator should make the selection decisions about software. There are factors, which need to be addressed when selecting software. They are content, instruction, student-relevance, operation, design, and package components. The area of content says that the objectives should be clearly stated. It should have a purpose for the students and teachers. Moreover, the content has to
In the framework of the teaching of English as a foreign language, the advantages of
ICT has got a great impact on life style of the people at present. The whole world has been connected under one roof as we have the facility of internet. ICT is used in many fields such as education, private sector and government sector and also among young students those who do higher studies. Most of the times in private universities, university colleges and institutes language teachers, practitioners, ELT lecturers, teachers, and students use ICT to get their work done easily. The technology is always on their hands. People use smartphones and they have laptops, tabs. Teachers can prepare their lessons while they travel in the bus. Students can do their homework and they can practice doing repeated exercise via the facility of ICT. Therefore, it is true that we are using the cutting edge technology without any age difference.
Education creates an immense opportunity for the development and at the same time information and communication technology also unlock new door to education (Wims and Lawler, 2007). Many definitions addressed and define the concept of ICT but Blurton (1999) elaborately defined ICT as the different set of technological resources and tools that are used to communicate, store, distribute and manage information. These types of technology include broadcast technology, computer, telephone and internet. ICTs comprise a network system that allows data processing, data storage and retrieval of data (Herselman & Britton, 2002).
Management uses ICT to keep records of students, students’ progress, to address problems and notices regarding education. Teachers use ICT to make lesson plans, worksheets, and attendance, daily records of class, to find and store resources and to assign different assessments furthermore ICT is also used by teachers to motivate students and also the role of the teacher has changed due to ICT. For example Khirawada, 2005 states that “In the context of ICT usage in school the teacher becomes often mediator for student activities promoting team work, stimulating student’s self-control, promoting project work and independent learning and acting as a resource facilitator mediating collaborative learning.” (Khirwadkar, 2005). Moreover Students use ICT for discussions, to make assignments, to do quizzes and to submit
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.
Our classroom text states that “qualitative research is the collection, analysis, and interpretation of comprehensive narrative and visual data to gain insights into a particular phenomenon of interest” (Gay, Mills, & Airasian, 2012, p.7). Qualitative researchers strive to establish validity by eliciting a sense of trustworthiness through neutrality and objectivity, addressing the stability of data, and fair and impartial evaluation (Saldaña, 2013). Researchers favor this method due to its emphasis on observing participants in their natural environment.
Primary research consisted of results from surveys conducted Criterion Corporation and Northeastern University. Secondary research consisted of several articles and other internet sources. The results of this research indicate that technology education needs to be adjusted to better prepare students for using computers.
The today trend tends to see more and more customers using e-commerce and the commercial websites’ growth tend to be exponential. The e-commerce sales rose by 20.1 % in 2014, and up to USD 2,356 billions. In 2016, global B2C e-commerce sales are expected to reach 1.92 trillion U.S dollars. In fact, the development of both NTICs and consumers’ habits tend to make the world much more reactive and competitive.
This research work will therefore enable stakeholders in education, i.e. parents, teachers, government etc., to identify the types of information need by students and also broaden the information search scope of secondary school students. It is also hoped that the finding from this study will serve as catalyst to the government in providing good ICT facilities. Such as a well-equipped library, laboratory equipment and information centers that will boost the teaching and learning processes. It is believed that the outcome of this study will facilitate the creation of a dynamic school curriculum, that will help students and teachers acquire adequate and current information. This will in turn help them to be self- dependent and enable them in solving life’s problem.