ICT integration in teaching science

Introduction

Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) have become the most basic building
block of modern industrial society in a very short time. Mastering information technology and
understanding basic skills and concepts of ICT are now highly regarded by many countries
(Daniels, 2002; Rampersad, 2011). ICT has been increasing at an amazing rate in instruction
among teachers. Ict integration in education is to enables teacher to challenge students and
promote higher order thinking skills

It can be used to train students in skills which they will need in further education and as an
ongoing learning process throughout the rest of their lives and for their future jobs, e.g., wording
processing, email communication etc.

It can provide access to information and communication outside the classroom e.g., via the
Internet.

- It can be used to support teacher development via external networks.

- It can support and potentially transform the learning and teaching process.

Background

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education is the mode of education that
uses information and communications technology to support, enhance, and optimize the delivery
of information.

ICT can lead to an improved student learning and better teaching methods.Proved that an
increase in the use of ICT in education with integrating technology to the curriculum has a
significant and positive impact on students’ achievements. The results specifically showed that
the students who are continuously exposed to technology through education has better
‘knowledge’, presentation skills, innovative capabilities, and are ready to take more efforts into
learning as compared to their counterparts.

Literature review
ICT integration in education generally means technology-based teaching and learning process
that closely relates to the utilization of learning technologies in schools. Due to the fact that
students are familiar with technology and they will learn better within technology-based
environment, the issue of ICT integration in schools, specifically in the classroom is vital. This is
because, the use of technology in education contributes a lot in the pedagogical aspects in which
the application of ICT will lead to effective learning with the help and supports from ICT
elements and components (Jamieson-Procter et al., 2013).

The aim of ICT integration is to improve and increase the quality, accessibility and cost-
efficiency of the delivery of instruction to students; it also refers to benefits from networking the
learning communities to face the challenges of current globalization (Albirini, 2006, p.6).

It is right to say that almost all ranges of subjects’ starts from mathematics, science, languages,
arts and humanistic and other major fields can be learned more effectively through technology-
based tools and equipment. In addition, ICT provides the help and complementary supports for
both teachers and students where it involves effective learning with the help of the computers to
serve the purpose of learning aids (Jorge et al., 2003

Reflection and Thought

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) can impact student learning when teachers
are digitally literate and understand how to integrate it into curriculum’s schools use a diverse set
of ICT tools to communicate, create, disseminate, store, and manage information. In some
contexts, ICT has also become integral to the teaching-learning interaction, through such
approaches as replacing chalkboards with interactive digital whiteboards, using students’ own
smart phones or other devices for learning during class time, and the “flipped classroom” model
where students watch lectures at home on the computer and use classroom time for more
interactive exercises. When teachers are digitally literate and trained to use ICT, these
approaches can lead to higher order thinking skills, provide creative and individualized options
for students to express their understandings, and leave students better prepared to deal with
ongoing technological change in society and the workplace.

For instance
The Mobile learning (m ‐learning) as a form of e ‐learning is a rising trend where the education
has outgrown the physical constraints of the classrooms and acquired mobility. Students access
information whenever and wherever they want, and institutions that provides such advanced
technological terrains is rising in number day by day.

Access of course materials through remote devices,

Online digital repositories for lectures, course materials, and digital library,

Online/ cloud based academic management systems,

Which raise that ict integration play a wide role in education

Role of ict in teaching science

ICT play a vital role in teaching of science it facilitate the transaction between producers and
users by keeping the students updated and enhancing teachers capacity and ability fostering a
live contact between the teacher and the student through e-mail, chalk session, e-learning, web-
based learning including internet, intranet, extranet, CD-ROM, TV audio

Knowledge is growing rapidly and modern technology requires teachers to learn how to use the
technology in their teaching. ICT has a great role in teaching science for the students that can
grow knowledge, promote intellectual quality through higher order thinking, improve problem-
solving skills, improve communication skills and increase the exploration of knowledge through
internet media

Implementations

ICT enhances the quality of learning and improves the quality of education. is consistent with the
study by Gallego et al. Who argue that, for a successful improvement of the quality of
education, a country needs implementation of ICT policies and regulations that must be effective
and vigorous at all levels?
 ..Wu (2013) suggested that this is probably because science is relatively more abstract to
students, and science teachers may be more likely to adopt technologies to help students
overcome their learning difficulties.

 they need to develop sound pedagogical skills to successfully integrate ICT into the
science curriculum

 2 need to possess basic ICT skills such as word processing, PowerPoint, and accessing
the Internet

 A national programme to train all existing teachers in the use of ICT

 Presentation Programs. ..