Putting the ‘C’ back into ‘ICT’

Being an ICT Educator, I often start my teacher training sessions reminding teachers about 3 things:

1. Doesn’t mean that when you are a user, you are also an expert.
2. What you think you know about teaching with IT, throw it out the window. Chances are, you were not properly trained.
3. Learn to communicate with your students.

Today I want to talk about point number 3, Communication.

I often remind and correct teachers that the term ‘IT’ is no more valid and they should be using ‘ICT’ instead. Why is adding ‘Communication’ important? It is important in today’s context because as we continue to live in greater interconnected world than ever before, with ready access to the Internet via mobile phones, tablets and computers, communication is a key area students MUST learn to navigate and survive.

Today, no one is a loner. No man is an island; no matter how hard you try. As much as you try to disconnect, we somehow end up being part of a online community that is always there 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Teachers today do not seem to engage their students much online, maybe due to a heavier workload in school, fear of loss of privacy among other reasons, but I like to challenge the teachers out there, “If you are not talking to your students outside the classroom, how do you teach them about how to communicate online?”

Now before you jump to any conclusions, my point today is what kind of communication culture do you have with your students? I always joked that the scariest question a student could ask me is, ‘Teacher, Can we have your mobile number? We want to add you to the class whatsapp group.”. Now that’s a scary thought isn’t it?

There are more ways other than just giving them an email address, facebook account or using whatsapp/messaging system.  How about a class blog? Use that to start building a online culture within your class. How about a message board? A place where students can post questions for the next day’s lesson? So there are ways you can still communicate online with your class and yet maintain your privacy.

Consider the fact that social media and the Internet has played a larger role in recent societal life. Spreading of information, exchanging of ideas and always-on access. How ready are your students to handle all of that?

So if you have not tried, maybe make a conscious effort to do so this year. Start with baby steps and don’t be afraid to fail. Give it a shot and never be afraid to ask another teacher for help too.

Its time we start putting the ‘C’ back into ‘ICT’.