The Role of Information Communication Technology in Education

Introduction

Providing the quality education is the top priorities of the universities especially in developed countries. The administrators and teachers believe that the traditional teaching is never been the same in the new generation of learners. This idea gives rise to the idea that the education should be a subject in development. Unlike the development in curriculum, the system that the pedagogical settings are attempting to build is the use of computers in teaching.

Background and Problem Statement

The introduction of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in schools is proposed to change the learning and teaching techniques in the schools. The reality-based type of teaching promotes the learning of both teachers and students in which they can use in the future. Since the areas of education is evolving based on the needs and preferences of the students it is appropriate for the schools to turn in the teaching and learning technique through the ICT? Aside from the learning and teaching strategies that can be gained in the application of ICT, what is the role of ICT in the entire education and building the confidence among the students?

Research Aims and Objectives

The main aim of the study is to investigate the role of ICT in education. In order to gain the necessary information regarding the topic, there are four objectives that should be considered. First is to determine the level of understanding of the teachers and the students regarding the application of the ICT among the schools. Second is to identify the impact of ICT in teaching proficiency and the effectiveness of it in learning by reviewing the pedagogical settings that uses the principles of ICT. Third is to recognize the perception of the students in terms of innovative teaching. And lastly is to identify the constraints or barriers that might affect the successful implementation of ICT in education.

Literature Review

Generally, young people of today are aware about the importance and uses of computers. At an early age, a child can learn to use the computers and his experience in using the technology might be continued until he reached the university level (Loveless & Dore, 2002). However, many educators argued that the use of ICT in teaching is a crucial resource. This is true upon the comparison between the developed and developing countries as based on their educational level. For example, New Zealand identified the potential in ICT application and therefore the government has identified a number of success factors for local economic development. Due to economies of scale and scope, central government can reduce transaction costs and add value by acting as a catalyst and facilitator for the formation of economic development networks for capability building and for ensuring the provision of quality information. This includes the strong Internet access and ICT penetration, and electronic commerce which make New Zealand to be a country with very high rate of engagement with new technology (Toland & Yoong, 2005). However, when these facts are compared to the educational level of South Africa and other African countries, the education seems to be less important because of the high position of economic and political depression due mainly in part on the imposition of the foreign model. In addition, there is a slow pace of development in Africa like the means of communication were not constructed as traced back in colonial period. The colonization has negative effects in the country which affects the economic and political lives of the people. Faced with problems such as poverty, poor infrastructure with regards to electricity and telephone lines as well as low education levels and computer skills, the South African government decided on focusing the ICT in education. However, the plan is not that strong unlike the other countries (Langmia, 2006).

Methodology

The applied method in the study is the use survey and interview. In the survey, the students will be the participants and will answer a questionnaire in a Likert Scale form. Through that, the researcher/s will determine the openness of the students as well as the perceived outcome in the application of ICT in education. On the other hand, the interview will be held among the group of the teachers and will be asked about the activities that might involve in teaching through the use of ICT. The answers of the educators will be the basis of the study is the ICT is an answer in achieving the quality education or it is just another burden and workload for the educators. Both results will be analyzed and at the end, the role of the ICT in education will be assessed and concluded.

References:

Langmia, K., (2006) The Role of ICT in the Economic Development of Africa: the Case of South Africa, International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology, 2(4):144+

Loveless, A., & Dore, B., (Eds.) (2002) ICT in the Primary School, Open University Press, Philadelphia

Toland, J., & Yoong, P., (2005) Learning Regions in New Zealand: the Role of ICT, International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology, 1(4):54+

Parent's Contribution to the Success of Children in Education - Philippines Setting

Introduction

The parental involvement in the children’s education is a globally accepted fact which represents an effective motivating factor for the children. The involvement of the parent in the education of their children might comprise the techniques to increase the relationship and success towards the education. Aside from the aid of the teachers, the parents are encouraged to positively influence their children in pursuance towards their success. The devotion of parents in supporting their children can definitely increase the relationship between the parents and their children.

Background and Problem Statement

Filipinos, the people of the Philippines, preserved their culture, tradition, and values that can reflect in the family bonds. The family members enjoy the close bonds because of the extended families that live together under one roof. This is a normal norm in the Filipino family to enhance and preserve the values, in the future pass it to the next generation. Because of the strong family ties and close relationships, the parents have an obvious influence in the lives of their children. The parents are often taken as a model for inspiration, guardian, and adviser of the children in learning. And because of this fact, how far do the parents contribute in the success of their children’s education?

Research Aim and Objectives

The main aim of the study is to discover the essential factors that might contribute in the role of parents in influencing the education of their children. In order to satisfy this aim, there are three objectives that should be considered. First is to recognize importance of education among the Filipino families. Second is to identify the socio-economic status of the families. And third is to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of parent’s contribution in the education of their children.

Literature Review

The culture and tradition of the Filipinos is unique. From birth to old age, the family members are keeping the close ties between them. This means that an ideal Filipino family has a member that includes the grandparents. This unique characteristic of the Filipino family affects the other generations. In terms of the education, it is the responsibility of the parents to provide the education on their children. However, the socio-economic status of the family plays an important in the educational level of the children. This means that rich or wealthy family up to the middle-class family can provide the continuous education for their children – from primary to tertiary school. On the other hand, the average family up to the considered poor family has a limitation in responding to the literacy needs of their children. It is explained to the recognizable inconsistency and big years in gap in education. Still, sending their children in schools are the priorities of the parents as part of the fundamentals of civilization. The country, in holistic view, is in the pursuance of three objectives: poverty alleviation, social equity, and sustainable economic growth. Both the parents and government believe that with the help of education, poverty can be reduced, the divided societies will be equal in rights and treatment, and the economy can be robust because of the increase in opportunities. The country manifested as a human capital that are essential in the countries under the capitalism. And with the help of education, there is a significant result in human development. As an assessment of the educators, sociologists, and even clinicians, the influence of parents draws an effect on the behavior, literacy level, and overall development of the child. It is because of the significant parental care in the family; the parent can participate in the education of the children, influence them, and even manipulate their children or creating the decision on which the parents are right and appropriate for their children. However, this type of autonomy of the parents over their children has positive and negative effects.

Methodology

The suggested method in the study is the use of survey and interview. In the first phase of the method, the survey using the design of Likert Scale will be conducted on the 100 participants. The participants are comprised with the students and working class with the age range of 15-35 years. The survey has the intentions to reveal the perception of the students and working people regarding the importance and influence of the parents in their education. On the other hand, the interview will take effect on the 5 teachers/educators and 5 parents. The interview will draw the analysis regarding the techniques of the parents in influencing the education of their children and the recognition of the teachers in the success of their students.

References:

Eder, J.F., (2006) Gender Relations and Household Economic Planning in the Rural Philippines, Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, 37(3)

Schiller, K.S., Khmelkov, V.T., & Wang, X-Q., (2002) Economic Development and the Effects of Family Characteristics on Mathematics Achievement, Journal of Marriage and Family, 64

UNDP, (2003) Country Level Impact Assessment (CLIA): The Philippines, United Nations Development Programme [Online] Available at: http://www.undp.org/evaluation/documents/CLIA-Philippines.pdf [Accessed 29 July 2010].

Orientation and Mobility needs of Students with Visual Impairment at the University of Ghana

Introduction

Education is important to cast away the ignorance. As part of the political agendas, there should be no hindrances that can prevent or as an adherence an individual to avail the education. This is the start of the new era’s acceptance that education belongs to everybody. Because of the increasing challenges due to globalization, many individuals failed to finish their studies because of the identified hindrances like the problem in poverty and priorities for food, shelter, and security.

Background and Problem Statement

If the children that are complete in senses and functions well fail to complete the attendance in school, how much more the individuals who are physically disabled or unable to function well as a normal person? In order to promote the education among the children with mobility disorders such as visual impairment, many educators proposed that there should be a special treatment for those people. First, the institutions should address the mobility needs of the students in order to learning objectives of the universities.

Research Aim and Objectives

The main aim of the study is identify the orientation and mobility needs of the students having the visual impairment, particularly in the University of Ghana. It is important that all the students receive their social rights and have an equal participation in the pedagogical settings to help them explore their potentials. There are three objectives provided in order to facilitate the investigation of the study. First is to determine the level of understanding of the teachers and administrators regarding the students that have mobility problems. Second is to recognize the effective intervention of the universities towards the visual impaired students. And third is to promotion of equal rights for the visually impaired students.

Literature Review

Visual impaired students are protected in the society and not the reason to degrade themselves. Often, the students having the visual problems took their own dog and used them as their guide. On the other hand, inside the classroom, the teachers provide the tape-recoded books, Braille, e-text, and other alternative medium for learning. It is also important that schools provide Braille signs around the campus to help the students know their route. Various programs are already established for the children that have visual impairment. Even if there are available programs, still it remains ineffective because of the teachers’ lack of necessary skills to teach according to the differential needs of these pupils. However, it is stressed that the early interventional measures at the primary school level have implications for the education, social growth, and developments of blind children. With the use of instructional and interventional measures there is a great possibility for the visual impaired students to follow the other students’ progress in education. The outcomes of the interventions are placed into the school system which should be yearly reviewed to keep updated and cope with changes. However, the success of the intervention lies in the ability of teachers. Therefore, it is important that training among the teachers as basis on service should be emphasized. Students with low vision have some limited or residual vision which is very useful as far as the performance of daily activities is concerned. This is an indication that the majority of the visually impaired population the world over, and have varied needs and thus teachers must have that ability to adjust. The specific intervention might be also critical in retaining some children with visual impairment in school, rehabilitating other and helping in developing relevant skills in them. In this case, the importance of early intervention is thus critical as a first point of providing support for students with low vision and an importance consideration for being successful in an inclusive context, especially if encourage to use their vision (Avoke, Yekple, Dogbe, & Mamah, 2006). The other suggested interventions are the use of individualized education, systemized personnel development and training, parent training, and expanded time for learning (Perkins School for the Blind, 2009)

Methodology

The suggested method in the study is the use of comparative case studies. This is appropriate for the study in order to identify and satisfy the requirements involved in the study. The ideas included in the case studies should be focused in the effective collaboration of teachers in the pedagogical settings centering in the interventions for the visually impaired students. The case studies are an advantage method for the study in order to relate the various situations to the real-life situations.

References:

Avoke, M., Yekple, Y., Dogbe, D., & Mamah, V., (2006) Low Vision Children in Regular Classrooms in Winneba, Ghana [Online] Available at: http://www.icevi.org/publications/icevi_wc2006/19_mixed%20topics/Papers/afr_014_mawutor%20avoke.pdf [Accessed 13 July 2010]

Perkins School for the Blind, (2009) Advancing Education for All Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired with Multiple Disabilities [Online] Available at: http://www.perkins.org/assets/downloads/international/positionpaper_english6-2.pdf [Accessed 13 July 2010].

The Effect of Vocabulary on Listening

Introduction

With the help of language, people understand each other. With the help of words, people can identify the type of conversation. With the help of listening, there is a communication. Vocabularies on the other hand are the way that people comprehend on the information given to them. Through enhancing the vocabularies, a student can understand the thoughts given to them. This is also same by simply watching movies. Because people can understand the thoughts delivered for them, they can easily jump into that particular and make assumptions or conclusions.

Background and Problem Statement

Vocabularies may just be a collection of words that conveys one idea. This might appear to be simple but most of the students find it difficult to master the vocabulary because of several factors such as the learning disability, lack of social skills, lack of self confidence, and many others. However, teachers and school administrators currently pursued the importance of vocabulary in learning. Because of the benefits brought by vocabularies, the teachers find it easier to teach if the students can easily comprehend the similarities of the words, their differences, and meanings. It is also easier to teach while listening, aside from preparing the visual aids. In this case, what is the effect of vocabulary on listening of the students?

Research Aim and Objectives

The main aim of the study is to provide the comprehensive approach on the effects of vocabulary on listening skills of the students. In order to provide this aim, the study should satisfy the three objectives. First is to understand the level of literacy among the students. Second is to recognize the intervention of the schools or the pedagogical methods in order to achieve this trait. And third is to determine the factors that affect its success, as well as perceptions of the students.

Literature Review

Many children are born with hearing disability which makes it hard for them to understand the things around them. As immediate actions of the social workers, the establishment of the schools that focuses on giving attention on the special children is a great help for the parents. In the continuous aim of the schools to deliver the changes towards the children, they were first assessed based on their movement. The behavior of the children regarding the non-verbal characteristics might be the result of the poor focus and the lack of interests of children in conversation. Although some of them are interested, they are still in favor in playing. This is where the interaction of an adult is important and attending to the children’s needs is one of the common and basic steps that might divert their attention in playing into conversation (Padula, 2006). As the child grows, the changes occur as well the way he/she interacts with others. Apparently, if the child managed to master the vocabulary, it can be the basis of his learning. The incidental learning is the process of learning about something without any intention of doing so. Normally, when the attention or the interest of the child is captured, learning might follow. Also, this is the kind of learning one thing while there is an intention of learning the other. In terms of language acquisition, incidental learning is said to be an effective way of learning vocabulary from context or books. Languages or the vocabulary can be acquired depending on the activity involved. If the child has he ability to listen (which is the most difficult skill to possess because of the disturbing factors), the vocabulary can be enhanced. For such, encountering one single word might lead to the full knowledge and understanding the meaning of the word. The child should maintain this process in order to acquire the knowledge that he aims to. Many suggested that inquiry should be partnered with reading to expose the child in more in-depth vocabulary (Brown, Waring, & Donkaewbua, 2008).

Methodology

The suggested method in the study is the use of comparative case studies. This is an advantage for the study for it gives the opportunity to view the various scenarios that a student, or the teacher, or both faced during the process of learning. In addition, the case studies are based on the real-life situations in which the study can easily apply. The learning gained by reviewing the cases are the key in determining the effects of vocabulary in listening, as well as obtaining the significant effects of listening in enriching the vocabularies of he students.

References:

Brown, R., Waring, R., & Donkaewbua, S., (2008) Incidental Vocabulary Acquisition from Reading, Reading-while-listening, and Listening to Stories, Reading in a Foreign Language, 20(2) [Online] Available at: http://nflrc.hawaii.edu/rfl/October2008/brown/brown.pdf [Accessed 19 July 2010]

Padula, M.L., (2006) Case Study – The Listening Program: Mary Clare, Age 2 years 10 months, Bilateral Occipital Stroke [Online] Available at: http://www.thelisteningprogram.com/PDF/Case_Studies/CS_MaryC_Age3_Stroke.pdf [Accessed 19 July 2010].