The usage of technology in Jamaica’s classrooms

In Jamaica, education is a very important factor in our society. Education can be defined as a process of teaching and learning in schools, basic, primary, secondary, colleges, or universities to improve knowledge and develop skills.   

What was an initiative that was implemented?  

The initiative that was implemented was known as the "e-Learning Jamaica's Tablets in Schools Project." In Jamaica, e-learning it aids technology by improving the education process in schools with teachers and students. They provided a virtual learning environment that assisted students with different resources to prepare them for their different major examinations. Students also get to experience a mix of traditional learning with updated approaches but exciting ways to enhance the teaching and learning process in schools.  

How was this initiative implemented/ "rolled out"?  

This project came around with the assistance of the "Ministry of Science, Energy, and Technology with This project came around with the assistance of the Ministry of Science, Energy, and Technology, collaborating with the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Information (MOEYI) along with the Universal Service Fund (USF) to implement the Tablets in Schools (TIS) Project in selected public educational institutions over the next eleven years. The rollout of the TIS project will see the use of tablets as the major support strategy in the teaching and learning process. The Government of Jamaica will be providing tablets to selected public schools that serve pre-primary and primary-aged students throughout Jamaica, as well as the ten (10) teacher colleges and twenty-two (22) state care facilities for a total of 1,106 institutions." 

What are some of the information received from society as it relates to the effectiveness of the initiative? 

• "Visible changes in students' readiness for classes and conducting research for their assignments". 
• "Student stated, "I love to play games on the tablet. The tablet helps me to count. There are many games—football, baseball—and I love all of them. I spell, write, and draw”.
• "The TIS project has impacted throughout the college. Many of our students would not have been able to afford these devices given the economic cons, but through this project we have access to the technology that we use to enhance the teaching and learning experience". 
• "The Tablets in Schools Project benefited both my son and me. Children learn faster with technology as they can see improvement immediately. The apps teach him to write as they show him how to trace letters, count, and so on". 
• "The results from using the tablets are remarkable. We were just so happy to know that the entire student population and the academic staff could actually have an e-device to do our schoolwork because not everyone was lucky enough to own a device”.

Some main objectives of this project are: 

• Provide tablets and audiovisual equipment for use by teachers and students in classes and facilitate access to the internet.
• Transform the learning process by integrating ICTs within the curriculum and during assessments, encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, decision making and digital citizenship inclusive of the values inherent in collaborating and communicating through the integration of ICTs in the education system.

Did the initiative aid you or anyone you know? If yes, please explain.

References:

https://www.elearningja.gov.jm/testimonials-2/#

https://www.elearningja.gov.jm/about-us/#

 

Use of Technology in Jamaica's Classroom

 

Technological tools can be best defined as digital, electronic, or physical resources that can support educators in conveying and testing of content or physical resources.  

 

 What would you say are three technological tools in Education? Three technological tools that can be found in Education are: 

 

* Google Classroom 

*Zoom  

* Kahoot  

 

 

What is Google Classroom, Zoom and Kahoot? 

 

*Google Classroom is referred to an educational platform derived by google for learning institutions to assist teachers in issuing assignments to students through online platform. Zoom is known as a video conferencing medium where persons can meet to discuss the lesson and plan a group presentation. While Kahoot is an educational forum which teachers use for quizzes and interactive activity with the lesson. 

 

How is this cost effective? 

 

By using Zoom, it's beneficial for a person who reside in Manchester, but Class is in Kingston, and they are unable to make it. This allows people to save funds. By having classes on Zoom, it also gives students a chance to rewatch the lesson once recorded. Kahoot is better used for quizzes by testing students' capability and knowledge of a topic. So, instead of teachers marking 20 different papers they could simply use this medium and get the marks of the students. Also, for google classroom, it was designed for the communication of educators with students and share files (assignments/projects) instead of these physical sheets of pages teachers could request pdf files and they review it in the comfort of their home. It also provides gains to learning materials and resources with quick responses.  

These tools are used regularly in our Caribbean classroom in the 21st century. Educators use Zoom as a medium of presenting information to students and having classes online. Also, for Kahoot, teachers in classrooms use this medium to test students. I remember doing kahoots in school to see what we remembered from the lesson that was thought. It's also interactive, so students tend to have fun while playing. With google classroom, teachers still use this tool to communicate assignments to students and parents. Assignments are placed in the containers with a due date that they should be completed by. Teachers and Parents may also meet in this forum by starting a google meet. 

 

I feel that the evolution of the tools influenced and benefited instructors, students, and even parents in good ways. It allowed parents to save a significant amount of money by having their children attend lessons online. The pandemic compelled us to use these techniques. Although the pandemic has passed, we continue to use them, and I personally benefit from being able to complete my assignments online and send them to my professors in pdf or word file format. These technologies are also quite simple to use; for Zoom, you log in using the credentials provided by the developer and provide your name where permitted. Then you'll be attending the meeting; it's as simple as ABC. For Kahoot, click on the URL your teacher emailed you; next enter your email address to receive the code; once received, enter the code and your name. Once you've finished, you'll be in the forum with your peers, and the teacher will begin the quiz, from which you'll select the proper answer. When the game is done, you'll see who won. Finally, while signing up for this forum on Google Classroom, you will utilize your email. Once you're in, you'll see your various subjects and assignments assigned by the teachers. 

 

Technological Tools

On the other hand, how about you? What technological tool assisted you best?