MY FORUM

In your opinion what are the issues and challenges in integrating ICT in teaching and learning in our Malaysian Schools.

Information and communications technologies (ICT) are the computing and communications facilities and features that variously support teaching, learning and a range of activities in education. The purpose of ICT in education is generally to familiarise students with the use and workings of computers, and related social and ethical issues. ICT has also enabled learning through multiple intelligence as ICT has introduced learning through simulation games. This enables active learning through all senses and very suitable for students to make sure them not feel bored during lesson. Malaysia schools must use ICT  in education to make sure that Malaysia have same level with other country that already advance about technologies. Unfortunately, there are some issues and challenges in integrating ICT in teaching and learning in our Malaysian Schools.

In my opinion, teacher professional development should have skills with particular application and upgrade themselves with the latest technologies to keep abreast of the latest developments and best practices. They must know very well about ICT because this can help them teach better in class through the interesting teaching tools like animation or something else. This show that they change their instructional design in lesson.Unfortunately, most teacher professional development a quite weak in using ICT in lesson and only use the same strategies of learning as before. So, student in rural area can’t practice themselves in using ICT because teachers not open their mind about the interesting of using ICT in lesson. Most lesson about ICT are in English language. Students that very weak in English will lost about ICT information if teachers don’t teach them first. Specifically, research shows that the use of computers as tutors, for drill and practice, and for instructional delivery, combined with traditional instruction result in increases in learning in the traditional curriculum and basic skills areas. This proven when students got higher test scores in some subjects compared to using traditional instruction alone. Students also learn more quickly, demonstrate greater retention, and are better motivated to learn when they work with computers

The second issue that we will discuss is about the appropriate rooms or buildings available to house the technology. In Malaysia, there are still have many old school. So, it is difficult to use application of ICT in the school because proper electrical wiring, heating/cooling and ventilation, safety and security would be needed. Another basic requirement is the availability of electricity and telephony. Old school at rural areas mostly not have coverage or telephony. Malaysian needs high cost to improve the capacity of the schools and buys materials of ICT like computer and put coverage for internet. The stakeholders for example parents also must active and up to date. They must know the achievement of ICT in Malaysia. So, they can help their childen to learn more about ICT using for example use of computer. However, they are many parents still don’t know  about ICT especially at rural areas. Their houses also not really good to have internet coverage for example houses at Sabah and Sarawak.

As conculsion, all of this must be improve to make sure all students in Malaysia know what happen in this world and help them for creative thinking and ability to adapt and manage in a complex, interdependent world. Through the issues, Malaysia will know how to improve this country.