The use of ICT in social studies classroom: The Pakistani context
Date of Award
8-1-2005
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Master of Education (M. Ed.)
Department
Institute for Educational Development, Karachi
Abstract
The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a teaching tool in developing countries is still a new strategy for most of the teachers in this context. This study was conducted with an aim of finding out how teachers in developing countries use ICT as a teaching tool. The study will help teachers and teacher educators to better understand how the use of technology (ICT) in the classroom can help to enhance the teaching of social studies in schools. A case study approach was used to study one teacher of Social Studies who teaches lower-secondary school. The study investigated typical ICT resources used by the teacher in teaching the subject; how and in which ways the teacher used ICT in teaching Social Studies and the factors that influenced the teacher's decision about the selection of learning activities and resources. After the analysis of data, it was found that the teacher used ICT as a source of information for herself and her students. It was also found that teacher's use of ICT as a simulation tool was instrumental for enabling students to visualize abstract concepts and aid better understanding. The study also found that the teacher's use of ICT was primarily motivated by the capacity of ICT resources to motivate students during the learning process; thus, providing relevance of the ICT resources to the topic of study. It was evident that the teacher believes that the use of ICT in today's world has become a necessity rather than a choice. The study further indicated that teacher's beliefs about teaching and learning play an important role in the use and selection of ICT materials. It was evident that the teacher's exposure to new concepts about learning influence the teacher's use of ICT. It was, however, further found that much of the use of ICT by the teacher was dominated by the use of CDROMs and internet to achieve conceptual understanding. Less evidence suggested the achievement of higher order and critical- thinking skills.
Recommended Citation
Malaba, M. (2005). The use of ICT in social studies classroom: The Pakistani context (Unpublished master's dissertation). Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.