ICT In Primary Education: Benefits And Tools
ICT (information and communication technologies) in primary education are essential, as they allow children to search for the information they need and organize what they have found. Also, computer literate children early in life are better able to cope with the modern world.
ICT can be defined as the set of tools used in the treatment and transmission of information quickly and efficiently by a large number of people. All this without taking into account the distance that separates them.
As children progress through the school system, they become more responsible for their own learning. So there are many experts who believe that, therefore, ICT should be integrated into the curricula. All schools are expected to produce computer literate and independent students.
Brief historical overview on the use of ICT in primary education
In 1985, the first institutional project to integrate ICT in the classroom was launched: the Atenea Project. Together with him comes the Mercurio project for the introduction of computer and audiovisual media in the curriculum. Its development occurs with the appearance of the personal computer.
The second stage arrives in 1995. It is a stage linked to the appearance of the internet. Since then, the plans for the introduction of ICT in education have state and regional components.
Currently, it is sought that broadband internet access is available in all schools. The implementation is carried out little by little and seeks, in addition, that there is no distinction between geographical areas.
Benefits of using ICT in the classroom
Characteristics of ICT such as its flexibility in interactivity, the ability to distribute information flows and virtuality are so important that, practically, one cannot think of an educational present in primary school without such technological tools (Begoña Gros and David Contreras, 2006).
The use of ICT in education is a key point to improve the results of the teaching-learning process. We just have to look at constructivist theories. They are tools that allow both teachers and students to obtain great benefits with their use.
In addition, they allow students to explore, observe, solve problems, and discover things for themselves. The use of ICT also stimulates interaction between peers and between teachers.
Thus, it extends the learning experience – that is, it raises the bar across the curriculum by improving the delivery of lesson content. It certainly allows students to participate in class in many and varied ways.
Create a teaching without borders that comes from the four walls of the classroom. ICTs make education work anytime, anywhere. Students and teachers can continue to access resources even from home.
Also, its use enriches the curriculum, as it facilitates access to a large amount of information. Thus, it expands the limits of learning. In addition, the quick connections allow the learning materials to be both viewed, downloaded and worked on quickly.
Adequate ICT in the primary education classroom
Regarding education, specific services have been created for the educational intervention of ICT. They are, above all, very useful technological tools for learning and reinforcing content in the classroom and outside of it.
We can mention some examples:
- Specific portals of official, state or autonomous organizations.
- Creation tools and supports. For example, interactive whiteboards or e-notebooks.
- Online learning material provided by textbook publishers.
- The intranet ( internal computer websites with a structure similar to the internet) of the centers.
- Educational games : the student learns in a playful way.
Many studies show that student motivation increases with the use of ICT. In effect, this use entails an educational transformation in the methodology in the classrooms.
We conclude by recalling that ICTs have a positive and direct impact on the current educational environment, since this area is immersed in the information society. The .NET generation assimilates the use of technological tools in a natural way, therefore, we must use this to take advantage of the benefits that ICT brings to education.
