Integration of ICT in developing the 21st Century Skills in Mathematics Teaching

and Learning

Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

 demonstrate clear understanding of the different 21st century skills;

 appreciate the importance of integrating ICT in the development of the different

21st century skills;

 familiarize the different technological tools that are essential in teaching and
learning mathematics.

I. Introduction

A. ICT (Information and Communication Technology) in education

Information and communication technologies (ICT) is defined as a diverse set of

technological tools and resources used to transmit, store, create, share or exchange
information. These technological tools and resources include computers, the Internet
(websites, blogs and emails), live broadcasting technologies (radio, television and
webcasting), recorded broadcasting technologies (podcasting, audio and video players,
and storage devices) and telephony (fixed or mobile, satellite, vision/video-
conferencing, etc.)

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education is the mode of

education that use information and communications technology to support, enhance,
and optimize the delivery of information.

Worldwide research has shown that ICT can lead to an improved student learning and
better teaching methods

B. 21st-century skills in mathematics education

• 21st Century skills are 12 abilities that today’s students need to succeed in their
careers during the Information Age.
The twelve 21st Century skills are:

• Critical thinking: Finding solutions to problems - it is essential to improvement. It’s

the mechanism that weeds out problems and replaces them with fruitful endeavors.

• Creativity: Thinking outside the box - This skill empowers students to see concepts in
a different light, which leads to innovation. In any field, innovation is key to the
adaptability and overall success of a company. Learning creativity as a skill requires
someone to understand that “the way things have always been done” may have been
best 10 years ago — but someday, that has to change.

• Collaboration: Working with others - means getting students to work together,

achieve compromises, and get the best possible results from solving a problem.

• Communication: Talking to others - communication is the glue that brings all of these
educational qualities together. It’s crucial for students to learn how to effectively convey
ideas among different personality types. Without understanding proper communication,
students in the 21st Century will lack a pivotal skill to progress their careers.

• Information literacy: Understanding facts, figures, statistics, and data - Information

literacy is the foundational skill. It helps students understand facts, especially data
points, that they’ll encounter online.

More importantly, it teaches them how to separate fact from fiction. In an age of chronic
misinformation, finding truth online has become a job all on its own. It’s crucial that
students can identify honesty on their own. Otherwise, they can fall prey to myths,
misconceptions, and outright lies.

• Media literacy: Understanding the methods and outlets in which information is

published - it is the practice of identifying publishing methods, outlets, and sources while
distinguishing between the ones that are credible and the ones that aren’t.

Just like the previous skill, media literacy is helpful for finding truth in a world that’s
saturated with information. This is how students find trustworthy sources of information
in their lives. Without it, anything that looks credible becomes credible.

But with it, they can learn which media outlets or formats to ignore. They also learn
which ones to embrace, which is equally important.

• Technology literacy: Understanding the machines that make the Information Age
possible - technology literacy goes another step further to teach students about the
machines involved in the Information Age. Technology literacy gives students the basic
information they need to understand what gadgets perform what tasks and why.
This understanding removes the intimidating feeling that technology tends to have.
Technology literacy unmasks the high-powered tools that run today’s world. As a result,
students can adapt to the world more effectively. They can play an important role in its
evolution.

• Flexibility: Deviating from plans as needed - is the expression of someone’s ability to

adapt to changing circumstances. Flexibility is crucial to a student’s long-term success
in a career. Knowing when to change, how to change, and how to react to change is a
skill that’ll pay dividends for someone’s entire life.

• Leadership: Motivating a team to accomplish a goal - is someone’s penchant for

setting goals, walking a team through the steps required, and achieving those goals
collaboratively.

• Initiative: Starting projects, strategies, and plans on one’s own- True success also
requires initiative, requiring students to be self-starters. Initiative only comes naturally to
a handful of people. As a result, students need to learn it to fully succeed. This is one of
the hardest skills to learn and practice. Initiative often means working on projects
outside of regular working hours.

• Productivity: Maintaining efficiency in an age of distractions- 21st Century skills

require students to learn about productivity. That’s a student’s ability to complete work
in an appropriate amount of time.

• Social skills: Meeting and networking with others for mutual benefit - Social skills are
crucial to the ongoing success of a professional.

These skills are intended to help students keep up with the lightning-pace of today’s
modern markets. Each skill is unique in how it helps students, but they all have one
quality in common. They’re essential in the age of technology.

II. Integration of ICT in Mathematics Teaching

A. Digital tools for interactive lessons

• GeoGebra - is a program that you can run in a web browser or a standalone app that
you can use to demonstrate math concepts in graphical representations.

• Prodigy - This game aims to teach through the game instead of outright basic learning
math, and still give your student/child the math education they need. This game allows
for great progress tracking, as teachers or parents check the questions their student or
child is having trouble with, track how they’re doing alongside their peers, adjust grade
level, set goals, access video lessons, and more. This game has basic, free features, or
you can buy an upgraded version for $6.25-$8.33 per month.

• BuzzMath - improves class participation through digital lessons, interactive questions,

and targeted activities. You can focus on developing your curriculum and have
BuzzMath design the right activities to improve recall and application. Students also
gain a complete glossary of mathematical concepts for ease of referencing as well.

B. Online platforms for collaborative learning

• 360Learning is one of those online learning collaboration tools that can be used for
peer learning. There are diverse collaborative tools that make it possible to develop
professional skills and train new employees and customer-facing teams. Their intuitive
course authoring suite requires no technical skills to use and enables anyone to create
courses and collaborate in just a few minutes. It provides space for meaningful
interactions such as hubs, group pages, and forums.

• Padlet is a digital bulletin board similar to well-known Pinterest but designed

especially for collaboration. It’s like a wall or a notice board, where the entire class can
allocate documents, links, video, and images online for further implementation. For
example, you can collect important classroom files or have students gather resources
for research. A powerful feedback tool will help you assess students’ work.

• Nearpod is a free online platform for delivering interactive presentations and

assessments. Find ready-made lessons and videos, create them in minutes, or upload
materials from Google Slides, PowerPoint, or YouTube. To conduct an interactive
discussion, you just click on any slide of your lesson, insert a topic on the slide, and
when reaching it, learners can give textual, audio, or video responses instantly.

III. Challenges and Opportunities

A. Barriers to ICT integration

There are several barriers to the integration of Information and Communication

Technology (ICT) in mathematics education. Here are some common barriers:
1. Lack of Infrastructure: Insufficient access to computers, internet connectivity, and
other necessary hardware and software can hinder the integration of ICT in
mathematics classrooms.

2. Limited Teacher Training: Many mathematics teachers may lack the necessary
skills and training to effectively use ICT tools in their teaching. This can result in a lack
of confidence and reluctance to integrate technology into their lessons.

3. Resistance to Change: Some teachers and students may resist the integration of
ICT in mathematics education due to a preference for traditional teaching methods or a
fear of technology. Resistance to change can slow down the adoption of ICT in the
classroom.

4. Cost: The cost of acquiring and maintaining ICT resources can be a significant
barrier, especially in schools with limited financial resources. High costs can prevent
schools from investing in the necessary technology infrastructure.

5. Curriculum Constraints: The existing curriculum and assessment methods may not
align with the integration of ICT in mathematics education. This can create barriers to
incorporating technology into lessons and assessments.

6. Lack of Technical Support: Inadequate technical support and troubleshooting

resources can make it challenging for teachers to effectively use ICT tools in their
mathematics classrooms. This can lead to frustration and hinder the integration
process.

7. Equity Issues: Unequal access to ICT resources among students and schools can
create disparities in learning opportunities. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds
may have limited access to technology, which can widen the digital divide.

It is important to address these barriers through professional development programs for

teachers, investment in infrastructure, curriculum reforms, and equitable access to
technology resources. By overcoming these barriers, ICT integration in mathematics
education can enhance learning experiences and promote mathematical understanding.

B. Strategies to overcome challenges

To overcome challenges in mathematics through ICT integration, consider these

strategies:

1. Teacher Training: Provide comprehensive training for mathematics educators to

effectively integrate ICT tools into their teaching methods.
 2. Interactive Digital Content: Develop or curate interactive digital content that
aligns with the curriculum, making complex mathematical concepts more
accessible and engaging.

3. Online Learning Platforms: Utilize online platforms that offer interactive

lessons, collaborative features, and adaptive learning technologies to cater to
individual student needs.

4. Simulations and Virtual Labs: Integrate simulations and virtual labs to allow
students to explore mathematical concepts in a dynamic and visual way,
enhancing understanding through practical applications.

5. Gamified Learning: Implement educational math games and gamified elements

to make learning enjoyable and to motivate students to actively participate in
mathematical activities.

6. Blended Learning Models: Combine traditional teaching methods with online

resources, creating a blended learning environment that provides flexibility and
personalized learning experiences.

7. Digital Assessment Tools: Use digital assessment tools to conduct formative

assessments, track student progress, and provide timely feedback to address
individual learning needs.

8. Collaborative Online Spaces: Foster collaborative learning environments by

utilizing online platforms where students can work together on mathematical
problems and projects.

9. Adaptive Learning Systems: Implement adaptive learning systems that adjust

the difficulty level and pace of content delivery based on individual student
performance, catering to diverse learning styles.

10. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR): Explore the use of VR and
AR technologies to create immersive experiences, allowing students to visualize
and interact with abstract mathematical concepts.

IV. Impact on student outcomes and engagement

Integrating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education can

significantly enhance student outcomes and engagement. ICT tools, such as interactive
multimedia, online resources, and collaborative platforms, provide diverse learning
experiences. This integration fosters a more dynamic and interactive learning
environment, catering to various learning styles. Additionally, ICT facilitates real-time
feedback, adaptive learning, and encourages self-directed study, all of which contribute
to improved academic performance and sustained student engagement.

V. Future Directions

A. Emerging technologies in mathematics education

The future direction of mathematics education is likely to be shaped by emerging

technologies. Virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and interactive
simulations hold promise in transforming how students learn and apply mathematical
concepts. These technologies can provide immersive experiences, personalized
learning paths, and real-world applications, making abstract mathematical ideas more
tangible and engaging. Furthermore, adaptive learning platforms and data analytics can
offer insights into individual student progress, enabling educators to tailor instruction
effectively. As technology continues to advance, the integration of these tools can
revolutionize mathematics education, making it more accessible, interactive, and
relevant.

References:

 https://learningportal.iiep.unesco.org/en/glossary/information-and-
communication-technologies-ict

 https://stories.linways.in/ict-enabled-educationd190bcc91bf0#:~:text=Information
%20and%20Communication%20Technology%20(ICT,learning%20and%20better
%20teaching%20methods.

 https://www.icevonline.com/blog/what-are-21st-century-skills

 https://www.edapp.com/blog/online-learning-collaboration-tools/