ESSAY

RUBRIC: Do teachers have an ally in ICT?

Being a teacher in the 21st century requires using a wide range of ICT tools in order to deliver
more entertaining lessons to the postmodern students that are attending school. However, it
does not follow that whenever teachers use technology in the classroom, the lesson will turn
out to be perfect. Sometimes ICTs are an ally and others an enemy.

There is no denying that when teachers open their computer or take a television in the
classroom, students become highly motivated. It is essential for students of this era to have
the possibility of attending a lesson where the use of technology takes place since this
promotes classroom interaction. What is more, when students find a lesson enjoyable,
concentration and attendance are guaranteed, which is what most teachers expect from their
students.

Leaving the considerable benefits aside, it is time to reflect upon the risks of handling ICTs.
Not until teachers use technological devices in the classroom, will they realize the problems
that may arise. Working with computers, internet connection, television, pen-drives,
projectors can be troublesome because problems of all sort can appear. Sometimes electricity
is cut off all of a sudden or your computer cannot read your pen-drive; in other cases, the wire
to connect your notebook to the TV is not the correct one and that makes it impossible to
deliver the class. Incorporating technology in the classroom usually implies running a risk.

In conclusion, dealing with ICTs in education is quite a controversial issue. On the one hand, it
is undeniable that the use of technological resources makes more attractive and entertaining
lessons since an interactive environment is created, which is enormously appealing to
students born in the age of technology. On the other hand, there will always be technical
problems to be faced that can turn a lesson into a nightmare.