REFLECTION - 1 : EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY and ME As Physics Educator

Information and Communication Technology ( ICT ) an umbrella term encompasses all : use of hardware devices connected to computers , software applications , interactive digital content , learning management systems etc . We as educators are all using ICT in our educational system . It has its reach now in our classes , examination system , and in managing school administration . This  boom of ICT in Education is very much taken care by National Policy on Information and Communication Technology in School Education which clearly defines the mission and in it says : 

" To devise , catalyse , support and sustain ICT and ICT enabled activities and processes in order to improve access , quality and efficiency in the school system "

No doubt we have come far ahead as far as use of technology in education is concerned but the point is , are we justifying its use? . 

For instance : these days smart boards are in every class rooms but I always feel skeptical about its use by teachers . Teachers ignore its presence in their class rooms and continue with their conventional way of teaching . There is no problem in traditional teaching but I strongly feel a little initiative on the part of teacher while planning his /her lesson with technology can bring about a large and significant difference in the whole teaching learning process of any subject .

I would like to share my personal experience of using teaching modules in Physics Class at school level .Teachers usually face tough time in completion of syllabus as a result they rush through it but using technology based method ie smart boards , power point presentations , one can complete syllabus before deadlines and that too with much better explanation . It's a great reliever .......

On the contrary , infusion of ICT in classroom practice should be a sensible process . It has been observed that teachers use tools of educational technology without having sense of objectives behind them .One cannot just play a teaching module and sit back having no role in explaining the topic . This is what most of the teachers do .

Instead teacher should supplement it at the right place in their teaching plan . For example I observed that students develop better understanding of Physics concept like different modes of communication : space wave , Sky wave etc when taken up by videos than when taught by traditional method devoid of ICT based educational tool . 

There are many more points to discuss regarding use of educational technology  but for now I am closing my article here with the conclusion that it is solely in the hands of teacher to use Educational Technology at its best .