Chapter 7 How to Use ICT in the Classroom Effectively: The Technological Blend

Abstract

Over the past years, across the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member states, major investments in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in schools have been made, and a shift towards a more technology-oriented curriculum is observable. However, evidence exists that literacy levels and mathematical skills of students who have computers and other ICT equipment/devices in their classrooms dropped. This highlights a challenge that the education systems worldwide have to address today, that is, how to use ICT in a classroom in a way that boosts the skills’ acquisition process rather than undermining it. The objective of this chapter is to explore this issue. The argument is structured as follows. First, existing technologies in the education system and their effects on society are addressed. Then research is presented concerning investments in technology by OECD countries and their implementations. Following the digital divide and other obstacles which surfaced due to technological advancements are discussed; lastly a pilot study of 62 students in OECD countries was conducted exploring any correlation between technology in classrooms, higher training and academic standing of students.