The use of ic ts

Editor's Notes

• #3: Education is the monopolised entity set to transmit knowledge to individuals in society which is consequently aimed at enriching and encouraging social development. In countries like South Africa with a history of inequality particularly in education, education also serves the purpose of justifying such inequalities.
• #4: In education there is a consistent demand for changes to be made in order for relevance to be maintained. Eric Hoffer, an educational theorist, once said, “[i]n times of change learners inherit the earth; while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.” Considering Hoffer’s words gives greater meaning to the shared ideal that education is a tool that needs sharpening in order to maintain its effectiveness. With the growing trend of “globalising” in all sectors of society being driven by the even faster growing use of technology individuals in society need to be taught in a way that will make adapting to the “New Age” easy.
• #5: In education there is a consistent demand for changes to be made in order for relevance to be maintained. Eric Hoffer, an educational theorist, once said, “[i]n times of change learners inherit the earth; while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.” Considering Hoffer’s words gives greater meaning to the shared ideal that education is a tool that needs sharpening in order to maintain its effectiveness. With the growing trend of “globalising” in all sectors of society being driven by the even faster growing use of technology individuals in society need to be taught in a way that will make adapting to the “New Age” easy.
• #6: As previously highlighted, education serves society. A society with individuals that are educated is a developing society. So in order for South Africa to grow and reach its full potential individuals must be taught in order to reach THEIR full potential.
• #7: As previously highlighted, education serves society. A society with individuals that are educated is a developing society. So in order for South Africa to grow and reach its full potential individuals must be taught in order to reach THEIR full potential.
• #8: Our Apartheid legacy however does not make it easy to apply or implement new innovations as the country still faces many setbacks in terms of distributing basic resources, equating the education system (so that everyone receives quality education regardless of their background) and justified education (in the sense that everyone is taught in a manner that is meaningful to them and opens opportunities).
• #9: The slow progress of Africa does not make things easier as South Africa too is a third world/developing country with relatively high rates of poverty, illiteracy and a lack of vital infrastructure. (NPC National Development Plan, 2011)Compared to developed states SA is on the back foot. 72,2% of Americans have access to the internet while only 6,4% of South Africans have access to and use the internet (DOE Guidelines for Teacher Training). This poses problems for our country in terms of applying the use of technology as it is evident that the priority still lies on first introducing the basic uses of technology.
• #10: The slow progress of Africa does not make things easier as South Africa too is a third world/developing country with relatively high rates of poverty, illiteracy and a lack of vital infrastructure. (NPC National Development Plan, 2011)Compared to developed states SA is on the back foot. 72,2% of Americans have access to the internet while only 6,4% of South Africans have access to and use the internet (DOE Guidelines for Teacher Training). This poses problems for our country in terms of applying the use of technology as it is evident that the priority still lies on first introducing the basic uses of technology.
• #11: But, if changes in society affect changes in education and changes in education affect changes in society maybe there is no need to hold back. ICTs have accelerated social development in the countries in which it they have been used, surely small scale implementation (as an initial step) will affect some changes. The society will grow its own “education” which will in turn aid in social development at a later stage. Investments will be made to teacher training and develop the skills of the educators (the roots of teaching and learning), initially those in training and at a later stage even the current workforce.
• #12: But, if changes in society affect changes in education and changes in education affect changes in society maybe there is no need to hold back. ICTs have accelerated social development in the countries in which it they have been used, surely small scale implementation (as an initial step) will affect some changes. The society will grow its own “education” which will in turn aid in social development at a later stage. Investments will be made to teacher training and develop the skills of the educators (the roots of teaching and learning), initially those in training and at a later stage even the current workforce.
• #13: Proof of the benefits of ICT in education has been identified in Sub-Saharan Africa where in the early 90’s it was found that there was a shortage of fully qualified/competent teachers. Efforts that were made saw countries, states and universities collaborating and forming competence and teacher standards that the candidates (trainees) were expected to demonstrate at the end of the designated programmes. The final product was set in motion by UNESCO and the collaborations were made possible by ICTs.
• #14: Proof of the benefits of ICT in education has been identified in Sub-Saharan Africa where in the early 90’s it was found that there was a shortage of fully qualified/competent teachers. Efforts that were made saw countries, states and universities collaborating and forming competence and teacher standards that the candidates (trainees) were expected to demonstrate at the end of the designated programmes. The final product was set in motion by UNESCO and the collaborations were made possible by ICTs.
• #15: Proof of the benefits of ICT in education has been identified in Sub-Saharan Africa where in the early 90’s it was found that there was a shortage of fully qualified/competent teachers. Efforts that were made saw countries, states and universities collaborating and forming competence and teacher standards that the candidates (trainees) were expected to demonstrate at the end of the designated programmes. The final product was set in motion by UNESCO and the collaborations were made possible by ICTs.
• #16: ICTs can only be positive particularly when one considers their effectiveness. Textbooks, which are currently, and have been for many years, the main sources of knowledge are fixed and at times out dated unless schools buy newer updated versions consistently which is quite expensive. The encyclopaedia offers standard, relevant and reliable knowledge which is updated relatively on a regular basis. It is effective for research learning but the content is not flexible enough and fixed on particular perspectives. ICTs provide knowledge which is vast and limitless from varying sources. Based on the fact that it is not biased many aspects of content and perspectives are considered. There is collectiveness in ICT learning and the influx of information and knowledge is substantial. This equates to large-scale social productivity and social progress.
• #17: ICTs can only be positive particularly when one considers their effectiveness. Textbooks, which are currently, and have been for many years, the main sources of knowledge are fixed and at times out dated unless schools buy newer updated versions consistently which is quite expensive. The encyclopaedia offers standard, relevant and reliable knowledge which is updated relatively on a regular basis. It is effective for research learning but the content is not flexible enough and fixed on particular perspectives. ICTs provide knowledge which is vast and limitless from varying sources. Based on the fact that it is not biased many aspects of content and perspectives are considered. There is collectiveness in ICT learning and the influx of information and knowledge is substantial. This equates to large-scale social productivity and social progress.
• #18: ICTs can only be positive particularly when one considers their effectiveness. Textbooks, which are currently, and have been for many years, the main sources of knowledge are fixed and at times out dated unless schools buy newer updated versions consistently which is quite expensive. The encyclopaedia offers standard, relevant and reliable knowledge which is updated relatively on a regular basis. It is effective for research learning but the content is not flexible enough and fixed on particular perspectives. ICTs provide knowledge which is vast and limitless from varying sources. Based on the fact that it is not biased many aspects of content and perspectives are considered. There is collectiveness in ICT learning and the influx of information and knowledge is substantial. This equates to large-scale social productivity and social progress.
• #19: ICTs can only be positive particularly when one considers their effectiveness. Textbooks, which are currently, and have been for many years, the main sources of knowledge are fixed and at times out dated unless schools buy newer updated versions consistently which is quite expensive. The encyclopaedia offers standard, relevant and reliable knowledge which is updated relatively on a regular basis. It is effective for research learning but the content is not flexible enough and fixed on particular perspectives. ICTs provide knowledge which is vast and limitless from varying sources. Based on the fact that it is not biased many aspects of content and perspectives are considered. There is collectiveness in ICT learning and the influx of information and knowledge is substantial. This equates to large-scale social productivity and social progress.
• #20: ICTs can only be positive particularly when one considers their effectiveness. Textbooks, which are currently, and have been for many years, the main sources of knowledge are fixed and at times out dated unless schools buy newer updated versions consistently which is quite expensive. The encyclopaedia offers standard, relevant and reliable knowledge which is updated relatively on a regular basis. It is effective for research learning but the content is not flexible enough and fixed on particular perspectives. ICTs provide knowledge which is vast and limitless from varying sources. Based on the fact that it is not biased many aspects of content and perspectives are considered. There is collectiveness in ICT learning and the influx of information and knowledge is substantial. This equates to large-scale social productivity and social progress.
• #21: Many approaches are being considered in terms of fully applying and setting in motion this ICT innovation. The first steps for SA would inevitably be to offer the most basic skills training and move on from there. Provision of internet coverage also follows closely.
• #22: At a later stage ALL teachers will be expected to have undergone ICT training, this will in turn help with the implementation of the White Paper on e-Education. The effect ICT use will have on our society is immense and the face of education will change forever and potentially widen the scope of opportunity and life-long learning.