Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are permeating different areas of society, including education. But do you know how to incorporate them into the classroom? Here we tell you how.
Learn more about→¿Por qué aprender en contexto?
What are ICTs?
According to Ortí (2011) “ICTs are the set of technologies that allow access, production, processing, and communication of information presented in different codes (text, image, sound…)” The internet, which can be accessed through a computer, and the various mobile devices that exist, which allow the exploration of new information and other means of communication, are among the elements that best characterize these new technologies.
Some Benefits of Using ICTs
- Reduce time and space barriers between different cultures.
- Allow access to a large amount of data in a short period of time.
- Increase interconnection and automation.
- Allow the exchange of information and the adaptation of resources to users’ needs.
- Facilitate the digitization process since different multimedia formats are used to transmit information.
- Promote innovation and creativity.
Why Are They Important in the Classroom?
ICTs have brought great benefits to education. They open up new spaces for interaction that promote learning, such as websites, forums, and educational platforms. They also improve communication between teachers and students through tutorials and informative websites, videos, emails, and audio conferences.
On the other hand, they strengthen active learning through experimentation in learning ecosystems that provide different elements for interaction, such as CloudLabs simulators, which promote the development of competencies, assign roles to students, and provide productivity tools.
Learn more about→Digital responsibility
How to Integrate Them Within the Classroom?
If you want to include ICTs in your classes but don’t know how, here are some steps to follow:
- Familiarize yourself with the platforms, computers, or programs that will help you improve your classes.
- Set your class objectives and identify which ICT tools you can use to achieve them, such as a video, a conference, an educational platform, etc.
- Keep in mind that your role as a teacher will be to facilitate the construction of knowledge by creating a learning environment for students in the use of ICT.
- Try to keep yourself constantly updated by learning about and experimenting with new technological tools.
- Establish a schedule of activities with a clear learning path for your students.
- Guarantee access to quality resources, such as CloudLabs virtual laboratories, where your students can have meaningful learning experiences in different areas of knowledge.
Finally, remember that the ICTs provide different tools to help your students relate concepts, apply their knowledge in different situations and become more involved in their learning process.
Learn more about→How to Encourage Research and Scientific Projects?
References
Castro, S., Guzmán, B., & Casado, D. (2007). Las Tic en los procesos de enseñanza y aprendizaje. Laurus, 13(23), 213-234.
Jaramillo, P., Castañeda, P., & Pimienta, M. (2009). Qué hacer con la tecnología en el aula: inventario de usos de las TIC para aprender y enseñar. Educación y educadores, 12(2), 159-179.
Ortí, C. B. (2011). Las tecnologías de la información y comunicación (TIC). Univ. Val., Unidad Tecnol. Educ,(951), 1-7.
