Early Childhood Education: The Effect Of ICT On Students’ Performance
The importance of ICT is quite evident from the educational perspective. Though the chalkboard, textbooks, radio/television and film have been used for educational purpose over the years, none has quite impacted on the educational process like the computer. While television and film impact only on the audiovisual faculties of users, the computer is capable of activating the senses of sight, hearing and touch of the users.
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ICT has the capacity to provide higher interactive potential for users to develop their individual, intellectual and creative ability. The main purpose of ICT consists just in the development of human mental resources, which allow people to both successfully apply the existing knowledge and produce new knowledge.
The collective and rigid nature of learning and the passive nature of the learning associated with the use of radio, television and film do not contribute any innovative changes to traditional methods in education system. Information and communication technologies are being used in the developed world for instructional functions. Today, computers perform a host of functions in teaching and learning especially as many nations are adding computer literacy, reading and writing literacy skills students will need for succeeding in a technologically developed world. At the instructional level, computers are used by pupils to learn reading, mathematics, social studies, art, music, simulation and health practices.
2.0 ICT
Information Communication Technology (ICT) will mean all electronic system that has to do with information gathering, processing and disseminations. These include all forms of computer system (mainframe, mini, micropalm pilot etc.). Information technology is a technique and the equipment that facilitates the acquisition, recording, processing, storing, retrieval, transmitting and receiving information that has been processed using some electronic equipment and appropriate methods. Information Communication as the scientific, technological engineering and management techniques used in information handling and processing. The term Information Communication Technology originated from the coming together of three (3) technologies (micro electronics, computer and communications). Microelectronics are made from the reduction of electronic circuits on sting silicon chips so as to receive a small raw data and organize it into meaningful information. Computers are the major platform upon which Information Communication Technology stands on communication. The processes of telecommunication using telephone and telegraphic lines to send messages from one place to another, is the third aspect of Information Communication Technology.
3.0 EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
The period of early childhood is until the age of eight years. One of the reasons that early childhood is regarded up to the age of eight is to enable him or her acquire a smooth understanding of the entire education from the level of play group to pre-primary and from pre-primary to the level of primary. The early childhood education is in an organized form to a major extent. The teachers and the other members of the pre-school, who are involved in this education are required to be systematic and methodical in their workings and conduct. It requires efficiency in its format and implication. Within this framework, the term ‘care’ holds much significance. When imparting any kind of learning, understanding or information to the students, the teachers need to take into consideration, the aspects of care and thoughtfulness. In pre-schools, students are young, hence, they need to be taken care in terms of various aspects, such as, learning, playing, health, emotions, diet, nutrition, and psychoanalysis. These are important for the overall development of the child. The main purpose of early childhood education is to lead to effectual growth and development of the students. It creates the foundation for learning among the students, so that they are able to develop their skills and abilities efficiently from the early age. Early childhood care and education also makes provision of information and knowledge to the families and communities of the students, with the purpose of contributing towards their effective growth and development. In pre-schools, learning begins with play, when students begin to take pleasure in play activities, then at the next level, they are taught drawing and colouring strategies, which enables them to develop an interest in art. At the next level, students are taught academic concepts, such as alphabets, numbers etc.
Education is a comprehensive area. It covers skills, knowledge, attitudes, habits, communication, cognitive skills, intellectual abilities, wisdom, astuteness, righteousness and honesty. These factors are essential for the development of the mind-set of the students and it also contributes towards their progression. The students have to be well prepared to enter the education system at the formal level. In order to seek admission in formal schools, it is vital for the students to possess adequate understanding of academic concepts, so that they can appropriately cope up with the teaching-learning methods, provided to them by the teachers and enhance their performance. Early childhood education renders an effective contribution in the facilitation of learning and education.
4.0 ICT, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND STUDENTS’ PERFORMANCE
It is pertinent to say at this point that with the advancement of science technology, information communication technology have paved the way lo schools and contributing immensely to education in general. The uses of ICT in teaching early childhood education in secondary schools, for education purpose rally referred to as computer application. The use of ICT in teaching early childhood education in secondary schools, on involves computer taking over a central part of the direct instruction of students. The system is programmed to carry out the instructional strategies thereby maintaining a form of conversational interaction between students and the system. Information communication technology (ICT) is so compelling a tool that it cannot be stopped. Computing place in the hands of well supported teachers and students can be an agent of catalyzing education accomplished of a kind that is without precedent, there has simply been no other tool like it is in history of education. There are variety of ways used to describe educational use of ICT in teaching early childhood education in secondary schools, which tend to either supplement or replace traditional instruction while focusing on the knowledge and skills of the regular curriculum. Of all forms of computer usage in the classroom, the one that is of interest to the researcher is the use of ICT in teaching early childhood education in secondary schools. ICT is taken to be a teaching tool, which is employed in the teaching and learning process. It is an interactive instructional technique whereby a computer is used to present the instructional material and monitor the learning that takes place. It often refers to drill and practice, tutorial or simulation activities offered by themselves or as supplement to tradition. Teacher-directed instruction. Several researchers had confirmed the use of ICT in teaching early childhood education in secondary schools, as an aid to instruction and their positive effect on student’s performance
