ICT Tools and Uses in the Classroom in Nepal

Introduction to Information and communications technology

Information and communication technology (ICT) is another/extensional term for information technology (IT) which stresses the role of unified communications and the integration of telecommunications (telephone lines and wireless signals), computers as well as necessary enterprise software, middle-ware, storage, and audio-visual systems, which enable users to access, store, transmit, and manipulate information.
The term ICT is also used to refer to the convergence of audio-visual and telephone networks with computer networks through a single cabling or link system. There are large economic incentives (huge cost savings due to elimination of the telephone network) to merge the telephone network with the computer network system using a single unified system of cabling, signal distribution and management.However, definition, as "the concepts, methods and applications involved in ICT are constantly evolving on an almost daily basis."The broadness of ICT covers any product that will store, retrieve, manipulate, transmit or receive information electronically in a digital form, e.g. personal computers, digital television, email, robots. 

Let's see a video focusing on the importances of ICT in the Classroom

      ICT Tools in the Classrooms

     As we know the importance of ICT in education, we also should be aware of the increasing needs of ICT tools that are being applied to assist teaching and learning in the classroom. Among thousands of tools available in the educational fields nowadays, there are five which have caught my attention in terms of their practicality and interactivity.

 First off is the 

1. Social Networks

Social networks

Social-networking tools aren't just for flirting on MySpace. The evolving world of Internet communication (blogs, podcasts, tags, file swapping) offers students radically new ways to research, create, and learn. But, too often, schools use computers as little more than glorified workbooks. Schools should reflect the world we live in today. And we live in a social world. We need to teach students how to be effective collaborators in that world, how to interact with people around them, how to be engaged, informed twenty-first-century citizens. We need to teach kids the powerful ways networking can change the way they look at education, not just their social lives. We don't talk enough about the incredible power of social-networking technology to be used for academic benefit. Let's change the terms. Let's not call it social networking. Let's call it academic networking.

Well, this list could explain some of the advantages of social networking in the classroom.

1. Make literature real. Have students create a Facebook page for a character from literature you are studying like.
2. Follow famous people. Many famous people are on Twitter. Have students follow someone related to what you are studying, such as following President Obama when looking at government.
3. Twitter treasure hunt. Use GPS treasure hunting to send students in search of educational clues.
4. Study geography. Use a combination of Twitter and Google Earth to help teach geography-based lessons. 
5. Connect with other classrooms. Collaborate with another classroom, no matter where they are in the world, to expand learning opportunities.
6. Recent public updates. The recent public updates on Twitter shows the most recent posts from all users and is a great tool to use when studying current events.
7. Field trips. Use Skype to bring the field trip into the classroom when it is difficult or impossible for students to go to the source.
8. Conference with parents. Stay connected with parents through social media to communicate their child’s progress

     2. Blogging for Teachers and Students

 Blogs can do a lot, and it would be impossible to list everything in one place. Blogs strike the perfect balance of providing information anytime and anywhere, social networking and interaction, and the ability to openly share thoughts and achievements.One popular way to use a Blog is to make regular updates about assignments, events, and anything going on in class.

Blogs like these keep students and parents informed and extend the classroom to any place with access to the web. Students love to blog too, and doing so can engage students in their learning and extend collaboration with classmates and even people all over the world!

• Safe and Reliable – Blogs can be completely private or open to the public. Since we only host education related content, blogs are allowed by most school filters where other blogging platforms are not.
• Student Friendly – It is as simple to add to and update a blog as it is to send an email. Teachers can easily create and manage as many student blogs as needed.
• Rich With Features – A few of the most popular features include discussion tools, video embedding, Facebook and Twitter integration, and calendars.
• Customizable – With over 100 different themes which allow for control of colors, images, and layout.
• Research-Based – Engage students in their learning and enhance instruction through collaboration, student portfolios, and endless classroom uses. 

3. Wikipedia in Education

Wikipedia can also be a great educational tool in the classroom. Teachers can require students to improve Wikipedia articles or create new Wikipedia articles. The main reason this is an effective teaching tool is because Wikipedia requires extensive research especially when creating new articles.Wikipedia is also very strict on citations; every line of text in the article has to have a citation. Original work is not allowed in Wikipedia articles. An important of aspect of the education system in the United Kingdom is to teach students how to properly cite outside sources and avoid plagiarism. Editing and creating Wikipedia articles is also a good educational tool because students learn while researching and writing. Wikipedia also allows peer review from both students in the class and third parties. Since Wikipedia already has articles on most topics, it may be helpful for the teacher to provide a list of under-explored Wikipedia topics. Editing Wikipedia also helps out society because people may later access the written articles and use them for educational purposes. Students can have the pleasure of knowing that they contributed to the world's largest encyclopaedia. Wikipedia can be used in a variety of courses. English teachers can instruct their students to write about authors, books, and literature concepts. Social studies teachers can instruct their students to write about historical events. Art teachers can instruct students to write about painters, and sculptors.

  

There’s a reason that the Wikipedia entry normally comes in at the top of a Google search. Google relies heavily on inbound links to rank a site, and Wikipedia is one of the most commonly linked sites on the Internet. Here’s another secret, Wikipedia is vetted by volunteer academics. Wikipedia’s motto is “no original thought,” meaning that everything must be cited, and uncited material is quickly removed. In fact, studies have shown the Wikipedia is about as accurate as Britannica. However, because of the reliability issues of the information in the Wikipedia, teachers and students should aware of some crucial points.

                  Why Wikipedia In Schools?

• Wikipedia has a policy that requires its contributors to cite verifiable online sources for the items they are writing. While enforcement of this rule for more obscure topics on the site can sometimes be lax, the more popular articles usually have citations. One useful way to use Wikipedia is as a jumping point to other potentially more trustworthy resources, which appear as citations at the bottom of many Wikipedia entries.

• Disputed historical and political events are often influenced by the Wikipedia contributor's ideology, even if done so unintentionally.

• Often, articles without citations (for example, articles that appear incomplete or that may not be neutral in their viewpoint) are labeled as such by a banner at the top of the page. This allows other editors to look for and pick up the slack, and for readers to be aware that the given article is unreliable.

• The debate surrounding Wikipedia also makes the site a good jumping off point for lessons about evaluating Web sites and information for reliability, and for lessons on critical reading.

• You do have to cite Wikipedia, no matter how mundane the information. WikiHow has a step-by-step guide forciting a Wikipedia article.

 4. iPad

iPad is a line of tablet computers designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc. primarily as a platform for audio-visual media including books, periodicals, movies, music, games, and web content. Its size and weight falls between those of contemporary smartphones and laptop computers. The iPad runs the same operating system as the iPod Touch and iPhone and can run its own applications as well as iPhone applications. Like iPhone and iPod Touch, the iPad is controlled by a multitouch display a departure from most previous tablet computers, which used a pressure-triggered stylus as well as a virtual onscreen keyboard.

iPad is one of the latest ICT tools being used in the classroom today. China for example has integrated the use of this gadget in the classroom teaching where every student bring one to school and use it during their the lesson. One of the major importances of having iPad to assist classroom learning is the wide selection of education based application available from the Apple Apps Store. Most of them are free and some cost mostly below a quid. Therefore, most teachers have resorted to this tool in order to help them develop students’ interest during the lesson.                                                            

5. Interactive Smart Board

Presentation tools are increasing in popularity for educators who want to share ideas and information with large or small groups of students. Interactive applications are in demand for educators who want to involve their students in learning with technology. The electronic interactive whiteboard is a device that combines both of these attributes, offering shared learning experiences for large or small groups, as well as for distance learning.

First of all, what is an interactive electronic whiteboard?

It is a presentation device that interfaces with a computer. The computer images are displayed on the board by a digital projector, where they can be seen and manipulated. Users can control software both from the computer and from the board. Participants can add notations, and emphasize by using a pen and or highlighter tool. By using his finger as a mouse, the teacher or student can run applications directly from the board. Another user at the computer can also have input. Any notes or drawings can then be saved or printed out and distributed to group members.

So, what does it have to do with the classroom learning?

• The interactive electronic whiteboard is great for demonstrations. In the survey, many technology teachers and specialists reported enthusiasm for the board in staff development or computer class to show students how to use a particular application. Because the presenter can run the application from the board, using his finger like a mouse, it is easy to show the important features of particular software.
• The interactive electronic whiteboard is a colourful tool. Research indicates that students respond to displays where colour is employed, and marking can be customized both in the pen and in the highlighter features to display a number of different colours. Width of lines can also be adjusted to add flexible marking choices.
• The board can accommodate different learning styles. Tactile learners can benefit from touching and marking at the board, audio learners can have the class discussion, visual learners can see what is taking place as it develops at the board.
• All ages of students respond favourably to board use. Interactive whiteboards were originally used in the business world for group meetings. As they have gained popularity in schools, teachers have reported success with the youngest learners through students in academic settings.
• Distance learning is an excellent setting for interactive whiteboard use. Since they can be connected for distance communication, they have value to users at more than one site concurrently.
• One-computer classrooms can maximize the use of limited computer access by using the whiteboard. Students can work together with individuals contributing at the board, other participants at the computer, and the group as a whole discussing the activity.
• The interactive whiteboard is an excellent tool for the constructivist educator. Author David Johassen coined the word "mindtool" to describe devices or applications which encourage use of technology to encourage critical thinking in students. Attributes of mindtools include ease of use, group interaction, ready availability of software to be used.
• The boards are clean and attractive tools. There is no messy chalk dust or other by-product, which can limit use. While the board can be used with regular dry erase markers, it is more likely to be used with the electronic marking feature, which employs either stylus or finger, and thus requires no cleanup.
• Students with limited motor skills can enjoy board use. Because of large format, it may be easier for students to run programs by tapping on the board rather than mouse clicking. Also, teachers with young students report success having them write on the board with their fingers rather than the stylus.

It is interactive. Users can be contributing directly by input both at the computer and at the board. The combination I liked best was for the teacher to be stationed at the computer, with students at the board and in the class offering suggestions and physically contributing ideas and actions.
Korean Smart Class
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_xzBx9atPU

ICT in Classrooms of Nepal

Nepal ICT Policy 2072 Highlights

In detail  do find in this PDF file link!
http://www.youthmetro.org/uploads/4/7/6/5/47654969/ict_policy_nepal.pdf

           ICT tools in Nepali classroom context

 Based on the importance of all ICT tools listed, it is no doubt that they can be used as powerful teaching aids in the classroom. Mostly private sector schools have been found using ICT tools in teaching learning some years earlier.  In Nepali education context, the government with its global paetners has just made policies to spend a lot improving ICT infrastructures in most of the community/public schools in order to promote an effective and interactive learning environment for the students. It is also for the teachers to assist them use materials to ensure full participation from students in the lesson. With more interactivity in the lesson, students will be more focused on the subject of the lesson as they can show their interest and contribution by engaging with the learning content. It is also the government concern to integrate the use of ICT in the classroom based on their ICT policy in education. From a report entitled ‘Integrating ICT in teaching and learning’, there are three main focuses why ICT is being put into practice in the classroom.

·         ICT will be used as an enabler to reduce the digital divide between the country’s schools by enabling ICT access for all students;  

·         ICT will be used as teaching and learning tools in education, taught as an independent subject and integrated into others; and

·         ICT will be used to enhance efficiency, effectiveness and productivity of management in education.

However, there are several challenges which can limit the usage of the ICT tools in the Nepali classroom. In order to cope with the continuous development of ICT infrastructures, the government has to be prepared with possible solutions for any challenges which can bring difficulties with its implementation. 
The table below summarizes the some of the challenges and solutions as the guideline for the ministry to maintain the effectiveness of ICT integration in the classroom.  

	Challenges/ Issues	Solutions
1.	Continuous monitoring and coaching of innovative use of technology in schools	Dedicated division in the Ministry of Education to manage all the teaching and learning related ICT initiatives. Making full use of school management systems to increase efficiency and monitoring. High level Technical Driving Committee to coordinate and facilitate all ICT initiatives in schools.
2.	Changing the mindset of teachers and stakeholders .	Change management training and regular monitoring. Schools to devise own change management programmes.
3.	Rapid change of technology	Forward planning with the help of industry leaders to predict future trends.
4.	Increasing operating costs	Training local students to be a member of Cyber Brigades to do small technical maintenance works. Leveraging on the various ICT incentives already existing in schools. Getting more industry players and the community to be involved in schools projects as part of smart partnerships.
5.	Maintenance of hardware and software	Set up of centralized help desk
6.	Producing course-wares compatible with rapid changing needs of schools	Training teachers to build own materials. More on demand TV programmes to be streamed via web TV.
7.	Capacity building of qualified persons	Continuous training programmes to improve culturisation of ICT in schools and to improve competencies in Integrating ICT in T&L.

Some more videos to be useful on it! Pls, view the following links get more informations- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxcrt0S2hP0-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBLCeHvhogY-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ii9hQnIBO_k -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_xzBx9atPU etc.