Course: EDTK 2030.

Information and Communication Technology in Education

Course Coordinator: Rehana Seepersad

Course Tutor: Sayyid Cato

Students Name: Andre Lewis

ID# 807003299

Technology as an ICT tool for Learning Learning can be defined as the acquisition of knowledge or skills through study, experience, or being taught. Through Information Communication Technology (ICT) students can learn in a variety of ways. There are three main theories in learning which ICT students learn from. These theories include: Behaviourism. Cognitivism Constructivism

Behaviourism This theory focuses that instruction can be achieved by observable measurable and controllable objectives set by the instructor and met by the learners who elicit a specific set of responses based on a controlled set of stimuli. The use of this learning theory in ICT functions as an instructor student relationship. The teacher/instructor tells the students exactly what needs to be done in order to achieve a specific outcome. Students are required to follow step by step instructions to accomplish or obtain desired goals in this learning style. Examples: Steps to log on to your email. Steps to send an email. Steps to attach documents.

Cognitivism This theory focuses on an individuals state of being through which passes individual thought s and feelings making up ones personality and character. Cognitivism focuses on the inner mental activities involving the mental processes such as thinking, memory, knowing, and problemsolving need to be explored. Students of ICT utilizing this learning structure learn through interaction with the technology. The exposure allows them to gain knowledge through experience.

Examples: Students are taught how to send an email, and then send emails to different individuals, then multiple persons. Students learn how to access a link, and then send a link to a person via email, and then broadcast a link to their peers.

Constructivism This theory believes that learners have some prior knowledge or experience as a basis to test their hypothesis, build their own set of content to solve particular problems set by d instructor. ICT students that are exposed to this style learn via discovering, interacting and team work rather than being instructed what to do. Examples: Students are asked to gather information on a specific websites and summarize their findings. Students are placed in groups and asked to put information into a PowerPoint presentation without any previous knowledge.

Affordances and Constraints An affordance can be defined as the attributes that provide potential for action while constraints were the conditions and relationships between attributes that provide structure and guidance for the course of actions (Kennewell, 2001, p. 106) In the Information Technology classroom of my organization students have access to computers to utilize the internet. There are fifteen working computers housed in a classroom known as the computer room. Unfortunately the room is often used as an area to house pupils when their teacher is absent and also to hold various meetings of many of the schools clubs. The lack of a permanent Information Technology teacher calls on teachers with limited knowledge to try and instruct and guide pupils to increase their knowledge base in the subject.

Email as a tool for learning According to Oxford dictionaries.com email can be defined as messages distributed by electronic means from one computer user to one or more recipients via a network. The use of email as an ICT tool in education can be a very powerful tool to assist in the teaching learning process. Notes on various subjects, messages to students and parents, links to websites where informational videos can be viewed are some of the major advantages of the internet. There is also no need to print or take down notes thus paper is saved and notes sent to emails cannot be lost or destroyed as easily as those printed. Affordances Students have some access to computers on the school compound, at home or at internet cafs in their community. Some students may already be computer literate or have some knowledge on how to operate a computer due to previous exposure.

Constraints Limited access to computers and by extension the internet and emails may put some students at a disadvantage while giving others a major advantage. Student with limited knowledge may first have to be instructed about the use of the internet and emails.

Potential solutions and Steps to be taken

There are two potential solutions: 1. Increase exposure to Computer and internet use. 2. Educate students and teachers on Information Technology.

Increase Exposure Emails can be a useful tool to educate individuals. The many ways in which a teacher can pass on information via emails will become null and void if students cant gain access to facilities. A schedule for class time is integral for that exposure. In addition to a class schedule students in classes should have their own class laptop/pc where in pairs they have an assigned schedule for the week in which they can access emailed information and work on online projects. Parents should also be encouraged to purchase a computer and have internet access at home. Steps to increase exposure 1. Approach administration to the assignment of a computer period for each class and disallow students who are not scheduled to be there to enter the computer room. 2. Class fund raisers can be held during the year as well as sponsorship from organizations can be sort to assist in the purchasing class computers. 3. Laptops/ computers bought in classes will be sent to the classes they are promoted to at the beginning of the school year.

Educate students and teachers The benefits of emails and the internet cant be properly utilized if teachers and students cant operate the systems. In order for this tool to be used efficiently and effectively both parties as well as parents should know how to operate them. Steps to educate 1. A workshop on IT and the affordances of emailing and the internet should be organized. 2. A workshop or weekend classes for students and parents should then be held. 3. A yearly class during the July/ August for new teachers entering the organization should also be established so that continuation is established.

Emailing and its affordances can be a useful tool in the education of students in the region and internationally. With globalization and the ever expanding technological advances, soon technology will be a necessity in not just education but our everyday lives.

References: Day, David and Lloyd, Margaret M. (2007) Affordances of online technologies: More than the properties of the technology. Australian Educational Computing

Lenord, David C. (2007) Learning Theories: A Z. Greenwood Publishing Company.

Oxford Dictionaries. Com Retrieved 20/09/13. http://oxforddictionaries.com

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES

Undergraduate Coursework Accountability Statement (To be completed by student)

ACADEMIC YEAR: 2013/2014 COURSE CODE: EDTK Education NAME: Andre Lewis

SEMESTER: 1

TITLE: Information and Communication Technology in

ID: 807003299

1. I hereby certify that I am the author of the attached item of coursework and that all materials from reference sources have been properly acknowledged. 2. I understand what plagiarism is and what penalties may be imposed on students found guilty of plagiarism. 3. I certify that this paper contains no plagiarised material. 4. I certify that this is my own work and that I did not receive any unfair assistance from others (including unauthorized collaboration) in its preparation. 5. I certify that this paper has not previously been submitted either in its entirety or in part within the UWI system or to any other educational institution. 6. In the case of group work: a. I certify that the individual work of each member of the group has been clearly indicated; b. that where no such indication has been given, I take the responsibility for the work as if it were the section of the paper for which I am solely responsible; and c. that I have not collaborated with any members of the group to breach the Universitys regulations.

Signature Andre Lewis Date: 21/09/13