ICT
is an essential component of school, intellectual diffusion and research
programmes assessment. Nkanu and Usang (2007) remarked that these trends make
it possible for teachers to break away from professional isolation with
information and communication technology, they can easily connect with other
teachers outside their immediate environment with sources of teaching materials.
Before now, the observed,
learners were dependent on teachers and librarians
for information but now, availability of ICT facilities in schools is helping
them to redefine the role of teachers and librarians thus enabling them to
focus on analyzing information and sharpening their critical thinking skills.
It is in the same stead that the Federal Government of Nigeria emphasized in
section II (102) (A) of the National Policy on Education that:
A
Network of Educational Services Centre in Nigeria (NESCN) shall be setup to
provide a forum for exchanging of ideas on the development and use of
innovative materials for improvement of education. All states, teacher resource
centres, university institutions of education and other professional bodies
shall belong to the network of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Obviously, ICT would bring about
collaborative, provide participation, cooperation and interactive learning
environment, as well as enrich the curriculum content. Studies conducted
worldwide indicated that students working in a collaborative environment using
technology-infused instruction have had better academic achievement (Cheorg,
2008; Lee Predhan & Dalgarno, 2008; Barwach, 2006 and House 2006 cited in
Masole, 2008). ICT as a technological-based instruction methodology facilitates
the achievement of content and objectives of the curriculum since it enables
students to access accurate information easily unlike the traditional methods
require strenuous co-ordination. Nkanu and Usang (2007) observed that the
educational system has undergone major structural changes. That is from
pedagogical methodology to the current phase of more sophisticated, but user
friendly technology-based instructional methodology. The complexity resulting
from the enormous instruction co-ordination mechanism is reduced or eliminated
with the new system (ICT and E-Learning).
ICT is also important in that it has
enabled learners to see things and master them faster than as it was in the
olden years. Appreciating this, Udensi (2006:124) stated:
In
fact, our ways of life have been greatly touched and influenced, ICT equipment
have brought about speedy, timely and efficient information processing which is
very significant to people. Again, ICT equipment have made it possible for
modern man to see more information in a day the people hundred years ago used
to see in whole year.
ICT also help learners in the
acquisition of four basic language skills of listening, speaking, reading and
writing. Acquisition of these four basic language skills is very important
because when learners acquire them they can easily master the concepts in the
curriculum of all levels of education faster. To that end, Okereka (2007)
emphatically stressed that, ICT increases reading skills. Computer had made the
teaching and learning of writing (essay) can now be better enhanced by using
computer programmes that corrects errors and provide feedback. Through ICT
learners can make use of the most up-to-date texts from the conventional
library. This will help the learners to get access to relevant texts which will
help the learners to get access to relevant text which will help them in their
lesson.
Furthermore, ICT helps in erection of
individualized and collaborative instruction. With the use of computer,
learners can learn individually and collectively with or without the teacher in
the classroom. Hence, Tuoyo (2007) stated that computers are tools for teachers
and students. They can be useful for erection of individualized and
collaborative instruction and can manage and generate instructional research
and administrative data. Thus makes full implementation of curriculum in all
levels of education easier and more practicable; hence there is greater hope of
realizing the national educational goals as enumerated by Federal Republic of
Nigeria (FRN, 2004).
ICT assists in evaluation of students’
performance. Evaluation is a very important aspect of curriculum
implementation. With the use of ICT, evaluation of students’ performance is
easy for both teachers and administrators, since it provides immediate feedback
to the students. With provision of immediate feedback, students and teachers
can find out the area of strength and weaknesses for modification. Commenting
on the usefulnesss of provision of feedback to the learners, Mkpa (2007) stated
that it is an established fact that most effective learning occurs by engaging
and giving him immediate feedback on his performance as he learns.
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