Information and Communication Technologies ( ICT) are part of technological culture. This concept includes not only computing, information and communication technologies.
ICT is in constant change that affects all fields of society, including education. Technology is a necessity for today’s society that is experiencing incessant progress. Thanks to it we are within reach of more knowledge, consequently, the demand for ICT tools in education is higher and more demanding. In this way, ICT has become a tool to strengthen new technologies in education.
What are ICT in education?
New technologies applied to education improve the teaching and learning process and also the management of educational centers. ICT should be used as a resource to support subjects and also for the achievement and progress of ICT competencies . The use of these should not be a parallel action to the teaching process, but rather it should be incorporated.
ICT in teaching is favorable in multiple ways. They offer a very plural content and knowledge base that adjusts to the demands, needs and interests of the students. Including ICT in the daily life of the classrooms makes this environment coexist with the tastes and hobbies of the students.
Use of ICT in the classroom
The use of ICT in the classroom must be adapted to a series of aspects to ensure favorable use. This must be suitable for the abilities of the students and their knowledge of technology. The material provided must be appropriate for manipulation, discovery and creativity and encourage cooperation among the class.
Advantages and benefits of ICT in the educational field
ICT in education has many benefits and advantages for the learning and motivation processes of students.
- They improve the interaction of students with the subject, thanks to the active role they acquire. In this way they feel more motivated thanks to their involvement.
- These methods generate great interest in them since it allows them to expand knowledge in the subjects that interest them.
- In addition, they enhance creativity thanks to the countless tools available to them.
- The use of ICT in the classroom causes greater cooperation thanks to the forums and tools that facilitate group work, consequently communication is also improved.
- ICT develops critical thinking in students by having a much more complete vision thanks to the great variety of points of view that they can find on the Internet.
ICT resources for education from LEGO Education
With LEGO Education teaching becomes more practical, more experimental and less theoretical. Robotics allows each student to work at their own speed and optimal learning where the level of difficulty responds to the abilities of each student. And that is called attention to diversity.
With the LEGO Education methodology, classes are never conventional. Assembling parts is just the excuse. Behind it there is a very positive educational work that allows the students to organize, adapt, assign roles to each other and complement each other.
LEGO Education has various educational robotics resources adapted to each stage of learning:
ICT tools in early childhood education
In early childhood education we have the Coding Express resource that allows children ages 2 and up to learn the basics of early programming such as sequences, loops and conditionals. We also have the STEAM Park that develops fundamental STEAM skills and inspires young minds to collaborate, build, play and learn.
ICT tools in primary education
In primary education we have the LEGO Education WeDo 2.0 , an ideal robot for students to learn educational robotics, programming and STEM in an enjoyable and effective way. While Simple Machines are an experimentation tool that introduces students to the basic principles of gears, levers and pulleys, while laying the foundation for learning science and technology. Simple and Motorized Machines allow students from 8 years old to become real scientists and engineers, discovering concepts such as forces, movement, measurement and energy in a fun way.
LEGO Education SPIKE Prime is a new STEAM learning solution for upper primary and lower secondary students that helps students develop confidence and critical thinking skills.
ICT tools in secondary education
In secondary education we find LEGO MINDSTORMS Education EV3 , a robotics kit recommended for children aged 10 and up that allows robots to be built and programmed through the use of motors, sensors, gears, wheels, axles and other technical components.
