The use of ICT by Teachers in School

Last week, I went to my former school at Sekolah Rendah HMJM Kiulap. I had interviewed most of the teachers about the importance of ICT in School and how teachers use ICT in teaching.

Based on the interview, almost all teachers agreed about the importance of ICT as one teacher spoke out that "Today we are in the ICT era, technology is in our daily lives so pupils must be exposed to these technologies to be at par with others with no choice". I am impressed with the teacher's statement which implies positive attitudes towards changes in teaching and learning styles with out any hesitation, despite her 16 years of teaching experience.

Some of the teachers who has more than 20 years of teaching experience have difficulties in using ICT as an aid for teaching. They are more comfortable using the hand-made teaching aids and resources. But some of the teachers would seek help from their expert colleagues to get resources from websites or use ICT, well at least they had showed effort in adapting to the changes and be updated to the technologies.

Overall, I respect the teachers that they are strongly committed and taking the challenge positively as to use ICT in teaching and learning processes to the maximum. Most of them mentioned that "ICT must be included in teaching as being emphasise in the SPN 21". The new SPN 21 encourages teachers to use ICT in teaching and get pupils to practice and familiar with the technology (ICT) as early as Pre-School to Year 6. " As starting this year, Pre-School has given one period to go to Computer lab to familiarise with the technology" said the ICT teacher.

ICT has many benefits to teachers and the school itself. It helps teachers to get resources easily, helps teachers to do their job easily and more efficiently, save time in preparing lesson plan, worksheets for pupils as well as helps them in teaching effectively. ICT helps schools to achieve its goal to produce quality teachers and pupils.

ICT in Teaching and Learning

ICT is not only refer as using a computer or producing worksheets for pupils' activities. It has a very wide meaning especially in teaching and learning processes. ICT includes the ability of teachers and pupils to use the resources that can be retrieved from ICT for teaching and learning purposes. This includes the use of other forms of technologies such as IWB, OHP, Projector, Computer Software (e.g. excel, PowerPoint) and many more.

ICT enhances teaching and add colours in learning process. It helps teachers and pupils "explore Es of learning environment" (retrieved 15th August 09, from http://eduscapes.com/tap/tap100.html)

• Excite
• Enhance
• Engage
• Experiment
• Exchange
• Explore

"Today, ICT is an integral part of our everyday lives. Children especially have an intuitive grasp of how technology works. They love to use it to play and to learn.

It is no surprise, then, that ICT in the classroom has been linked with positive improvements in attainment and motivation". (retrieved 15th August, 09, from http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/)

The benefits and advantages of computers in the classroom are many and varied:

• ICT helps motivate and engage children
• ICT helps prepare children for the world of work
• ICT opens up new opportunities in teaching and learning
• ICT helps schools to maximise ALL their resources
• ICT is flexible

Mathematics & Technology

Technology in Mathematics usually referred as computers or calculators. But people just can not see the benefits of technology in the teaching and learning of Mathematics as it help learning process more enjoyable and build pupils' interest and confidence in Mathematics. There are topics which really makes the learning of mathematics more easy and meaningful with the use of Mathematics and ICT.

ICT also provide teachers with lots of resources such as teaching strategies, teaching methods and interactive activities for pupils. Teacher can benefit the ICT in teaching especially the Primary School pupils to build strong foundation in their conception of Mathematics learning to be used in future learning.

Learning Mathematics

Learning Mathematics is slightly different from learning other subjects. In Mathematics, teachers must make sure that pupils had understand each concept of the Mathematics elements before they generalise it. Understanding of Mathematics concepts are essential before pupils can really get the idea and able to visualise Mathematics concept without any misconceptions. To develop and build pupils' skills and understanding in teaching Mathematics, teachers must teach using manipulative, concrete materials, multiple methods to suit pupils' capability as well as Information Communication and Technology (ICT) in mathematics learning to add colours to pupils' learning. In SPN 21, teachers are expected and encouraged to make full use of ICT.

Inquiry & Technology

How can Technology help Teachers in Inquiry-Learning?
Inquiry and Technology

Science teachers must be well prepared and familiar with inquiry learning. Teachers should follow a set of principles or steps to conduct inquiry learning classroom. Pupils should also provided with the opportunities to learn and develop their capability through the use of ICT in inquiry as a value-added to learning of Science in Primary Schools.

Learning Science

Science as Inquiry - Inquiry is one of the methods that teachers must practice in teaching and learning Science. Inquiry is a problem-based learning as it allows pupils to discover things by themselves. Inquiry learning is pupils' centered and allow pupils to think critically.
"An old adage states: "Tell me and I forget, show me and I remember, involve me and I understand." The last part of this statement is the essence of inquiry-based learning. Inquiry implies involvement that leads to understanding. Furthermore, involvement in learning implies possessing skills and attitudes that permit you to seek resolutions to questions and issues while you construct new knowledge". (retrieved from http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/inquiry/index.html)
Therefore to make pupils develop understanding and skills in Science pupils must be exposed to many forms of learning as well as technology where the Go Science book had provide websites for pupils to look up and try out the activities by themselves.

Introduction

Teaching Science and Mathematics in primary school is very exciting. I have been teaching Science and Mathematics in Year 4 -6 for about 5 years at Sekolah Rendah HMJM Kiulap. It has been a very wonderful experience which at the same time I have learnt new things from my pupils as well. Teaching Science and Mathematics is not all about facts, numbers, formula or rules which will make pupils demotivated to learn as it sounds complicated. Teacher must include variety of teaching ways to grasp pupils' interest and confidence towards the learning of Science and Mathematics. These include building pupils' skills in Information Communication and Technology (ICT) which is interrelated with the learning domain of the SPN 21 where pupils should be equipped with essential ICT skill in line with rapid technological advancements and globalisation.