ICT Integration in Education: Key to Enhance Philippine Educational System

By Kerl Adriall P. Daligdig

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) plays a vital role in the communication
process and in the field of uplifting the educational system of one’s country. Technology is rapidly
available and massive since the accessibility and availability is becoming a demand of times. Thus,
shifting from traditional learning to ICT-based learning is highly needed (Aktaruzzaman 2011).
I believe that the widespread use of ICT has still now influenced all fields in life, among
which lies education. It is therefore a potential tool for change and innovation in the education field.
Research studies have brought forward the fact that the utilization of ICT have enabled
students to move to higher-order thinking (Kearney and Treagust, 2001). Thus, students develop
constructive thinking skills. As a result the students are learning in order to prepare themselves for
the future information age. According to Kozma (2005) ICT can be used to enhance student
understanding thus increasing the quality of education.
On the other hand, ICT also had a bad impact on education system. Teachers who are always
show examples of the work from the internet via copy and paste the information, will not a good
example for the students. At the same time, the information and knowledge which come from the
Internet are not necessary correct and reliable.
In contrast, it is now the responsible integration of ICT in learning between the teachers and
the students. Based on the research of Software and Information Industry Association 2000, the ICT
brings more positive impact rather than its negativity. One of them, students who used educational
technology in colleges are more successful because they are more active in learning and in increasing
their self-esteem. Students get to gain confidence because they could do things they had not been
able to do before, that students could explore more and share more ideas with others. More than that,
individuals with ICT skills are more prone to job opportunities.
However, it will take a lot of time in the classroom even up to a year with the support of
experienced teams and it just lead to a poor ICT teaching and learning.
But more significantly, that for an economy to be knowledgeable education should be its
primary necessity. Simultaneously, the teaching strategies in schools are bending towards ICT.
Similarly, Wagner (2003) agreed on that idea that ICT have work in the field of development work
nowadays.
There will always be unfavorable circumstances in integrating ICT in education. After all, the
use of ICT is an opening of world’s opportunities. Given the fact that the goal of any educational
institution is to graduate well-rounded individuals who will be able to become resilient in facing 21 st
century life’s challenges.