Information Communication and Technology in Education is the mode of Education which uses information and communication technology to support, enhance and optimise the delivery of information. Worldwide research has shown that ICT can lead to an improved student learning and better teaching methods. Integration simply means to blend into a functioning or unified whole.

Blending ICT in education is important for a number of reasons namely:

Better teaching and learning methods

ICT helps a teacher to guide his/her students and expose them to a new way of learning and to the 21^st century teaching and learning methods, for instance using a projector to teach.

Also, when a teacher grades students using the online grading system, then they are able to keep track of the performance of their learners and can easily improve on the performance of their students.

Improves engagement

It is important to acknowledge that students are already interested and engaged in using technology. When technology is integrated into lessons, students are more interested in the subjects they are studying. Technology provides different opportunities to learning more and within a more relaxed environment, that is, teaching same things in new ways. For instance, teaching concepts that students tend to think are tough like Moles in Chemistry would encourage students to have a more active participation in the learning process which would be difficult to achieve through the normal teaching and learning ways – thus improving on performance.

Encourages collaboration

Learners can easily practice collaboration skills by getting involved in different online activities. For instance, by sharing their documents or assignments via email to the teacher. Technology can encourage collaboration with students in the same classroom, same school or even a different school in the country.

With this, they are able to collaborate with people hence learning collaboration skills. Collaboration skills are crucial and will come in handy when the students progress to their career lives as it is a top skill required in all organizations so solve problems and progress towards a common goal.

Students can learn useful life skills through technology

When we use technology in our classrooms, both the learners and teachers can develop skills essential for the 21^st century learners; for instance, they are able to gain the skills they will need to be successful in the future. The modern learning is about critical thinking, forms of communication and leadership skills and solving complex problems among other reasons.

In addition, technology can help develop many practical skills like maintaining proper online etiquette and writing emails. These skills are important and can be developed in the classroom.

Prepares them for integrated society dominated by ICT developments

In the current society we live in, most things are digital and for one to survive and live well, they ought to be acqainted with ICT.

Therefore, when we integrate our teaching and learning methods with ICT, then we are able to prepare our learners to be able to live well in our society that is dominated by ICT developments; for instance, they can apply for a job via email.

Encourages individual learning

Different learners have different abilities and they also learn in different ways. Technology thereby provides great opportunities for making learning more effective for everyone with different needs for example; learners can review difficult concepts or skip ahead if they need to and they can learn at their own speed. This also provides opportunities for special needs’ students.

When internet is accessible to students, it gives them a range of resources to conduct research in different ways which in turn can increase the engagement.

Improves knowledge retention

The use of ICT in learning makes learning enjoyable. Incorporating the use of videos in learning for instance – a learner can retain more knowledge. Since use of ICT provides an avenue of teaching using different ways, learners are able to retain knowledge.

Encourages Homework

Homework has always been the greatest challenge for most students and parents too. Therefore, the use of ICT encourages students to do their homework because sometimes with the homework they are asked to look for a concept through the internet.

ICT has brought about changes in teaching and learning in our institutions and thus improving the engagement of both the teachers and students in the learning process.

Therefore, it is important for us to integrate ICT into our education. Individuals should not think that ICT is a distraction, but should recognise it for the great benefits it brings – encouraging active participation of learners in the classroom.