ICT in Education

Over the last decade, governments all over the world have been promoting the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in education. This should not be surprising as it is widely believed that ICTs can improve access to and quality of education. While there is agreement that ICT can be a powerful tool to help reaching educational goals, turning this potential into reality remains a tremendous challenge. ICT integration is often extremely complex, with challenges ranging from a lack of electricity, computers, connectivity etc. (infrastructure-related constraints) and/or finances, to challenges with respect to the capacity-building of teachers, students as well as policymakers and educational managers at all levels (with a view to improve their knowledge, skills, awareness and attitude).

Some examples

In different partner countries, and in particular in Kenya, Zambia, Vietnam and Cambodia, VVOB is working with educators on integration of ICT in education. Objectives of the collaboration range from improving educators’ basic ICT skills (through training and setting up of computer labs), to enhancing exchange and collaboration with the help of online open resource centres. We also work on teachers’ use of ICT to improve teaching and student learning. Different ICTs are introduced to pre- and in-service teachers, and these educators are encouraged to reflect on pedagogical aspects and to apply and try out innovative approaches in teaching.

Although VVOB support may involve the provision of ICT facilities, this is never the backbone but only complementary to our main approach being the capacity development of teachers, education managers and administrators and policymakers as the key stakeholders of the ICT integration process. And this capacity development mostly happens through providing strategic and technical advice, training and promoting knowledge-sharing and dialogue amongst various stakeholders.