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Introduction

It was not until later on in my teaching career that the term Information and Communication Technology  (ICT) materialised before me and opened my eyes to what this meant in education. The term ICT simplified  means any technology that has to do with information and communication.  

Information can come in many forms such as sound, video, text, and images, so when you think of what  technology it is available that produces these aspects of information and sometimes a combination of all  these, we refer to such technology as mobile phones, computers, for example.  

Today information and communication technologies are the one thing and so the repertoire of  technologies expands further to encompass computers and computer-related products, email, MMS, and  other forms of communication.  

The Importance of ICT in Education 

Today we do not need to go any further than our own home or even room, to see some form of ICT in our  lives. Whether it be a computer, TV, or mobile phone, we all have them in some part of our lives. In today’s  society, people as consumers of ICT, all strive for the one dream – the dream of a connected life.  

This makes ICT a lifestyle choice for much of the population. In addition, this lifestyle choice is changing the  way we communicate, increasing the rate of consumerism, and changing how we interact and gather  information.  

ICT has invaded and transformed many aspects of our lives to the extent that we live in an environment  that is dominated by technology which itself is consumer-driven. No matter how we perceive its presence,  there is no denying that it is an important part of our lives and that it is here to stay.  

Key issues to remember in relation to the importance of ICT in Education 

1. E-learning or Online Learning: The presence of ICT in education allows for new ways of learning for  students and teachers. E-learning or online learning is becoming increasingly popular and with  various unprecedented events taking place in our lives, this does not only open opportunities for  schools to ensure that students have access to curriculum materials whilst in the classroom but also  allows them to ensure students outside the classroom such as at home or even in hospitals can  learn.  

2. ICT brings inclusion: The benefits of ICT in education is of such that students in the classroom can  all learn from the curriculum material. Students with special needs are no longer at a disadvantage  as they have access to essential material and special ICT tools can be used by students to make use  of ICT for their own educational needs.  

3. ICT promotes higher-order thinking skills: One of the key skills for the 21st century which includes  evaluating, planning, monitoring, and reflecting to name a few. The effective use of ICT in education  demands skills such as explaining and justifying the use of ICT in producing solutions to problems.  

4. ICT enhances subject learning: It is well known these days that the use of ICT in education adds a  lot of value to key learning areas like literacy and numeracy.  

5. ICT motivates learning: Society's demands for new technology has not left out children and their  needs. Children are fascinated with technology and it encourages and motivates them to learn in  the classroom.  

6. ICT improves engagement and knowledge retention: When ICT is integrated into lessons, students  become more engaged in their work. This is because technology provides different opportunities to  make it more fun and enjoyable in terms of teaching the same things in different ways. As a  consequence of this increased engagement, students will be able to retain knowledge more  effectively and efficiently.  

The Benefits of ICT Training for Teachers 

In today's digital age, it's more important than ever for teachers to have a solid understanding and  judgement about how to use ICT skills appropriately.  

Not only can ICT training helps teachers stay up-to-date with the latest technological advancements, but it  can also benefit their students in a variety of ways. Having a digital pedagogy in early childhood education  and primary education is about having the attitude and the aptitude.  

From improving teaching methods to enhancing student engagement, here are some of the key benefits of  our ICT training for teachers: 

1. Improved Teaching and Learning Experience  

2. Increased Student Engagement and Participation  

3. Access to a Wide Range of Educational Resources  

4. Improved Communication and Collaboration