Importance of Computer Education in PS, UPS, High Schools

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Introduction
The field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is evolving at such a pace, where concepts, technology and terminology are continuously changing. ICT helps to bridge the digital divide amongst students of various socio economic and other geographical barriers. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is universally acknowledged as an important catalyst for social transformation and national progress.

Information and communication technology which is a by-product of science and technology explosion has revolutionized the world of learning. It is very essential to integrate the IT with education in order to have the advantage of ICT education. Around the world, policymakers and educators have high hopes for ICT in the classroom as a springboard to students “21st century skills”—that combines the competencies of problem solving, critical thinking and managing their own learning is needed for success in the global workplace.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has dominated in every walks of life affecting right from bus & railway reservations, hotel industry, online money transfers , bill payments, in class room teaching and learning process, distance education, e-learning and film making etc..

The learning activities through ICT make a difference. Students are much more likely to learn to solve real-world problems and collaborate productively with their peers, if their learning activities are carefully designed to offer opportunities.

The aim of 21st Century education is being redefined. It is not only for employment generation but also to create a better world through understanding and development of human qualities.

In this context, the Government of India has announced 2010 – 2020 as the decade of Innovation. For which reasoning and critical thinking skills are essential. And these skills are to be inculcated at the school level for which ICT tools and techniques should be integrated into class room instructions right from the primary education level, so that the children develop the required skills. In this matter the web is an open source and the child should know how to grab it.

According to UNESCO education is important to achieve the Millennium Development goals; the following are reasons for which the ICT in education is a key aspect. i.e., ‘More people would grow and develop; More people would learn and know; More people would be equal and just; More children would survive and live; More mothers would be healthier; More people would be able to combat illness; More people would think of the future; More people would work together.”

The purpose of this material is to create awareness and practice among the student and teacher communities with a “diverse set of technological tools, resources used to communicate, create, disseminate, store, and manage information.” These technologies include computers, internet, broadcasting technologies (radio and television) and telephony.

The relevant and contemporary content, lucid language, attractive illustrations and constructive exercises make the learning of computers more meaningful and enriching.

The journey of the student starts right from the ICT tools available in and around such as Radio, Tape recorder, TV, mobile and Computer. The students of primary level learn to draw by using MS & Tux Paint, learn to type small words, sentences, paragraphs, making documents by using typing tutor and MS Word. Moving away a little from these applications, the students can learn MS Excel for mathematical calculations & graphs and MS PowerPoint for making subject wise presentations. Further the students learn the concepts of Data Base Management System (DBMS), Internet, Networking and computer languages, maintaining the computers and its peripherals. The students are also introduced to learn about the Antivirus, Computer security and privacy and open source software technologies.

This material is useful in acquiring the concepts in a better way which make the student journey in learning more fruitful and engrossing. It has been developed in tune with the guidelines given by NCF-2005 and with various activity based methods. This will lay down a path to create interest to take up high level computer education courses in future and career.

The government had initiated Computer Education and Computer Aided Learning in selected Primary, Upper Primary and High Schools. A huge number of teachers in the State already had been trained to use computers in their regular class room transactions and a lot of computer aided learning material also has been developed and supplied to schools.

As part of Education Technology policy, the Education Department of Andhra Pradesh has been developing a large quantity of material in the form of Audio ( Radio Programs under Vindam Nerchukundam), Audio and Video based programs ( SIET and SAP Net) and Computer based programs(CDs) in collaboration with NGOs.

The Objectives of the ICT in School Education:

• To inculcate the ICT skills among the students of government schools.
• To bridge the digital divide between rural and urban students.
• To create computer awareness and literacy among students and teachers.
• To provide ICT environment in the schools to make teaching-learning process an effective and interesting
• To train the teachers on computer syllabi, emerging information and communication technologies.
• To develop confidence in students to use computers in future.
• Student-centered pedagogies that promote personalized and powerful learning for students;
• Extending learning beyond the classroom in ways most relevant to knowledge-building and problem-solving in today’s world; and
• ICT integration into pedagogy in ways that support learning goals. It is important to note that ICT use is not a goal in itself, but a tool to broaden and deepen learning opportunities.

Teaching Learning Process
The ICT material has been developed from class 1 to class 10. The teacher can act as a facilitator to help the students in their learning process. In every Unit the teacher explains the concepts and students do the activities/projects with ICT tools and finely able to integrate with their subjects.

Academic standards and Assessment
Academic Standards
The students are able to operate and use the ICT tools
Students are able to learn subject wise contents through the ICT tools

Assessment Process
At the end of the each chapter exercises and projects have been given. On the basis of the students performance appropriate grade may be awarded in summative assessment.

 ICT@School Scheme