Various experts around the world articulated the crucial role of ICT integration in the curriculum. They have underpinned the essence of ICT integration in the curriculum.
According to several studies, ICT integration significantly succored learners in their learning experiences. Teachers can use educational technology to design lessons that permit students to absorb the knowledge thoroughly. The approach could yield improved learning outcomes. Also, teachers should engage students in inquiry-based learning that empowers students to research independently, construct questions, find answers, and problem-solve to understand a concept.
Similarly, collaboration is a good life skill for learners. In many ways, students can work together as they perform work through Google Docs, taking exams through Quizlet, or build a classroom webpage. The teachers can utilize activity-related technology to help students learn and improve IT skills. Teachers could introduce e-learning activities that subject students to work with one another to research and complete learning objectives to maximize learning.
Moreover, K-12 is an integral part of primary education. The curriculum prepares and equips the learners with relevant lifelong skills. The activity entails incorporating the ICT learning of the students. The ability to use technology effectively is vital in students’ lives after graduation. The higher education courses offer online lessons mainly in the time of the pandemic. The classes in traditional classrooms were utilizing more e-learning software. Students who can operate technology for educational purposes have the advantage of surviving the learning environment. Mainly, the careers will require an understanding and expertise of Microsoft Office products.
Nevertheless, experts also acknowledged the school’s predicament. One of the struggles teachers face is the attempt to integrate technology into their classrooms. The concern stems from the lack of knowledge to navigate technology or the nuisance of using it. Teachers who experience these concerns also grapple with providing professional development resources. The initiative would assist them in gaining the knowledge to use technology effectively.
With the introduction of technology in the classroom, students would attempt to misuse it for entertainment purposes, defying the educational objective of ICT integration. At times, there is an inadequate scheme to block this activity. It includes the inability to filter activities related to accessing the gaming sites or social media, search for inappropriate content, or use the devices at inconvenient times. Additionally, the lack of software to lock student devices when students use videos and presentations is one of the ICT use issues.
The varied perspectives have yielded ideas to the proponents that would significantly assess the ICT integration status in Bataan National High School Senior High School. In these uncertain times that pushed the education sector into implementing remote learning, ICT integration and maximization are a crucial part of the learning process.
The number of great intrinsic strengths of the school would pave the way for ICT integration in the different learning areas. As discussed, ICT integration scaffolds the learning experiences of the learners. To maximize the system leverage, the school needs to develop a policy software plan that designs ICT use and integration in the educative process. The initiative underscores the core of ICT in the cerebral functioning of the learners. Through the diligent undertaking and the continuous activity of the school to address the system weaknesses, the school would provide excellent ICT services to its vital clientele.
BNHS-SHS is opportune to receive solid and lucid support from the local government. The City/Local Government sails off its direction towards 2025 Digital City. Hence, ICT integration would play a vital role in the realization.
It is, therefore, significant to address the ICT integration issues accordingly to mitigate the weak points in the school’s internal system. With a solid administrative plan, the ICT integration will equip the teachers and learners alike in the pinnacle of the learning process.
By: Aimee Rose P. de Villa|Teacher II| Bataan National High School SHS| Balanga City, Bataan
