childhood education: the role of information technology
...All and Framework for Action to meet Basic Learning Needs”. This declaration encouraged Nigeria to step up educational activities to achieve education for all. The Universal Basic Education (UBE) bill recently passed by the Senate, part of which i) provides free education for children between ages of 7 and 17 ii) criminalizes failure of parents and guardians to send their children to school, and iii) grants free lunch for children in all primary school and JSS in the Country; is a welcome development. All these activities are in agreement with the Nigerian Policy on Education as stipulated in the National Policy on Education (NPE, 1998). The rest of the educational system is built upon the primary (childhood) level, this level is the key to the success or failure of the whole system. NIGERIAN NATIONAL POLICY ON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Nigeria also recognizes IT as the bedrock for national survival and development in a rapidly changing global environment. In the National Policy on IT, the mission statement is to use IT for education, creation of wealth, poverty eradication, job creation and global competitiveness. Part of General Objectives i) To ensure that IT resources are readily available to promote efficient national development. ii) To empower children, women and the disabled by providing special programs for the acquisition of IT skills. iii) To empower the youth with IT skills and prepare them for global competitiveness. iv) To integrate IT into the mainstream of education and training v) To establish new multi-faceted IT institutions as Centres of Excellence to ensure Nigeria’s competitiveness in international markets. THE ROLE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN CHILDHOOD EDUCATION While education is seen as continuous preparation throughout life, Onwu (1993), enumerated the objectives of science education as; • observing and exploring the environment; • explaining simple natural phenomena; • developing scientific attitudes including curiosity, critical reflection and objectivity; • applying the skills and knowledge gained through science to solving everyday problem in the environment; and • developing self – confidence and self-reliance through problem solving activities in science. To achieve the objectives of education as defined by the society, suitable methods of teaching are necessary. New and emerging technologies challenge the traditional process of teaching and learning and the way education is managed. IT is not only an important area of study in its own right, but also a major impact across all curriculum areas. IT provides easy world wide communication with access to a vast array of data, challenging assimilation and assessment skills. Rapid communication, plus increased access to IT in the home, at work and in educational establishments, could mean that learning becomes truly lifelong activity. Essential Needs for Effective Childhood Education Aremu (2002) states that, what engages the attention and interest of the young ones most is what they can see, touch, manipulate and modify in short events and puzzles that they can investigate. Watson (1993), found out that, children spent longer time on the learning task when they use IT facilities, which is another desirable outcome, because pupils spend longer time on task given shows that their interest is well motivated. According to Okediran and Augustus (2002), ICT in teaching and learning; i) reduces learning redundancy; ii) increases the perceptual scope of the teacher; iii) motivates the learner by making learning easier, more interesting and challenging; iv) provides the teacher with some reflective time for improvement; and v) makes record keeping and evaluation easier. According to Abdalla (2003), students say they like working with computers because computers: a) Are infinitely patient b) Never get tired c) Never get frustrated or angry d) Allow students to work privately e) Never forget to correct or praise f) Are fun and entertaining g) Individualize learning and are impartial to race or ethnicity h) Are self-spaced i) Do not embarrass students who make mistakes j) Make it possible to experiment with different options k) Give immediate feedback Are great motivators l) Are more objective than teachers m) Free teachers for more meaningful contacts with students. One Computer Classroom With one computer in a classroom, it is possible to effectively conduct a lesson and different concepts could be taught. Burkhart (1999) summarizes the strategies and applications for the one computer classroom in few points: 1. Computer as teacher’s tool • keep records, manipulate information and produce letters • produce a class newsletter • Create customized follow-up work for lessons • Communicate with other professionals and subject experts via e-mail 2. Computer as multi-media flip chart: • You can put the whole class on overhead or small group on the computer monitor • Reading groups; have the computer to read vocabulary words • Record information from a group • Demonstrate writing or editing skills. • Color text and figures • Plot simple survey information 3. Computer is a tool for students’ individual input: You can have your students use the computer as a tool for individual input as part of a larger group or class project • Lists; each student adds one item related to discussion topic • Science topic; students type questions of things they want to know about • Enter personal information or opinion for plotting 4. Computer as learning centre: • Use atlas or encyclopedia • Spell checker during writing times • Calculator • Dictionary • Use commercial software that goes along with your curriculum topic There are many other areas of classroom application with the computer. Uses of the Internet for the School Child The Internet as part of IT facilities provides an authentic and motivating opportunities for children to read and write. At childhood level, teachers have more success when groups of children write to groups of children in another class. The teacher can also have pairs or small groups of children to access a website and collect data or information that can be used by the whole class. The instructional uses of the internet for the child could be summarized as: 1. Communi...