ICT in Education

Globalization and Information community technologies change processes that have accelerated in tandem over the past 20 years have created a new global economy. “Powered by technology, fueled by information driven by knowledge” as said one of the American author. Computers will start replacing people in especially vulnerable fields like transportation, logics, production labor, job services, management, science and other.  In other words, “Digitalizing” will takeover each sphere of our life. Digitalizing time demands creatively, energetic and innovatively young people. That’s why education takes leading  role in social.

 “Learning innovation” was called our regularly pedagogical learning week. Every teacher knows that technologies applied in teaching. ICT supports skills such as critical thinking, creativity, innovatively, working together and etc. However, most of us was worried about questions like: “How we can apply exactly in own subject ?”, “what kind of requirements for teacher and student by using ICT in learning process ?”, “what kind of experiences does have Finland ? ” and etc. Now, let me represent my reflection in short. First day we have lecture with teachers Sirkku L. and Tommi N. from Koulu   primary school. They represented for us principals of important of ICT implementation in education. After the lecture I understood main points in my view.

Nowadays , Every teacher has to aware principles of learning. Such as: “Motivation and decision to learn must come from learners own interest. It means as a teacher we can not force to learn only one side of problem. However, as a teacher we can guide our students from their interest. ICT gives us possibility to manage this problem productively. In front of students and teachers will open gates a range of knowledge in digitizing world. For instance, we can use iTunes University serves to create own book or find another authors. In particularly, IPAD is a tool for an interesting, explorative, deep and student centered learning. Stepping out from the classroom one of the method of modern pedagogic. Also, ICT creates mobile learning environment for students to research different subjects in different circumstance in really life.

Teachers role in modern life changed considerably. Teaching from one book and talking information was  in the past . Nowadays, learning based on problem solving, reflection, thinking and etc. 

Returning tо our main questions such I  mentioned above: “What kind of requirements for teacher and student applying ICT in learning process ?”.  As a teacher we have to aware the content of the learning plan and the curriculum must be crystal clear. Moreover, the goals of the lesson have to set carefully. The evolution of the process must be clearly. The most important thinking to pay attention is the “Teacher needs experience applying IPAD in learning process.”. It means that teachers should learn different training courses and learn by themselves. Also, our students have to take responsibility  of learning. They need to be able to co-operate in meaningful way.

The next day our pedagogical team visited comprehensive and upper secondary school in Riihimaki. To my thinking this visit was very productively for each us. Especially presentation of Mr. Aleksi Lahti. Aleksi L. is a young history teacher. Also, he in charge “ICT project” pilot project that covered 8 schools.  He presented this project for us.

OPS 2016 will be the a new curriculum of Education system of Finland. In 2016, matriculation  examination also will be electronic. As said Mr. Aleksi most of schools is preparing to the changing in 2016. I would like to stress that , preparation beforehand is the good idea for our system also.

The important aim of the project following are:

·         To teach students basic of technology, it development of society;

·         Teacher will have broader view of technology, so that students understand its possibility and treats;

·         Student learn how to use the most essential technology in studding;

·         To prepare student for life.

As I mentioned above, this project covered 8 schools. ICT project big changing for students  and teacher both. 

To manage this changing they use following approaches:

·         Testing devices and apps beforehand;

·         Benchmarking best practices from other school;

·         Blending ICT to “old” pedagogy;

·         Share experiences about trials from social net;

·         At least one the teacher is in charge to continue training.

During the  meeting we discussed about challenges and implementations of ICT project. After the discussion  I understood  following points:

·         ICT project funding by government;

·         ICT project covers 8 school;

·         ICT project costs quite expansive;

·         ICT project is able to change mindset of teacher and students;

·         ICT project just pilot project, which have not achieved final goals .

In addition, I want to tell that some pros and cons side of using ICT in my view.

pros of ICT in education :

•             Through ICT, teacher can easily explain complex instruction and ensure students comprehension;

•             Through ICT, teacher are able to create interactive classes and made lesson more enjoyable. Improve students attendance and concentration;

•             Students can solve problem by working together;

•             Easy share information in learning process.

cons of ICT  in education :

•             Too expensive to afford IPADs;

•             to Teach teachers for use ICT  for learning process;

•             Requirement of own apps. For example, application is in Kazakh language. Third day , we hade lecture with lecturer Sanna. Sanna is the expert of using ICT in learning process. In my view this lesson was very useful for each other. She introduced for us following apps:

·         Google docs

·         Google sites

·         iPAD apps

Finally, I would like to tell that  digitalizing came in each life. We can not avoid in learning process also. ICT is future for us. Thank you for attention)).

Photos with Mr. Aleksi Lahti