Note to reader: infoDev – a program of the World Bank – promotes innovation and entrepreneurship in smart agriculture, digital technology, and climate change technology. Through business programs and early stage financing, we help developing countries in the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia go green and develop solutions to local problems.
In the past, infoDev worked with ICT and education. While our programs do support some entrepreneurs and start-ups that develop educational technologies (like Afroes and ListenMi), ICT and education are no longer the focus of our mission.

Current knowledgebase
What we know, what we believe -- and what we don’t

For education, the purpose of ICT is generally to familiarise students and teachers with the use and workings of computers, related social and ethical issues. It is generally believed that ICT can empower both teachers and learners. It promotes change to education in 21st century. ICT not only transforms teaching but also the learning processes. From an optimistic point of view, information and communication technology (ICT) has the potential to improve learning and teaching methods. The possible merits include, for instance, more creative learning environments, support of student-centered self-directed learning, and collaboration independent of place and time (Fu, 2013). ICTs seen as tools to help teachers create more 'learner-centric' learning environments In OECD countries, research consensus holds that the most effective uses of ICT are those in which the teacher, aided by ICTs, can challenge pupils’ understanding and thinking, either through whole-class discussions and individual/small group work using ICTs.

General

Training is key
Teacher training and continued, on-going relevant professional development are essential if benefits from investments in ICTs are to be maximized.

Role of the teacher

Teachers remain central to the learning process
A shift in the role of a teacher utilizing ICTs to that of a facilitator does not obviate the need for teachers to serve as leaders in the classroom; traditional teacher leadership skills and practices are still important (especially those related to lesson planning, preparation, and follow-up).

Lesson planning is crucial when using ICTs
Teacher lesson planning is vital when using ICTs; where little planning has occurred, research shows that student work is often unfocused and can result in lower attainment.

Pedagogy

Introducing technology alone will not change the teaching and learning process
The existence of ICTs does not transform teacher practices in and of itself. However, ICTs can enable teachers to transform their teacher practices, given a set of enabling conditions. Teachers’ pedagogical practices and reasoning influence their uses of ICT, and the nature of teacher ICT use impacts student achievement.

ICTs seen as tools to help teachers create more 'learner-centric' learning environments
In OECD countries, research consensus holds that the most effective uses of ICT are those in which the teacher, aided by ICTs, can challenge pupils’ understanding and thinking, either through whole-class discussions and individual/small group work using ICTs. ICTs are seen as important tools to enable and support the move from traditional 'teacher-centric' teaching styles to more 'learner-centric' methods.

ICTs can be used to support change and to support/extend existing teaching practices
Pedagogical practices of teachers using ICT can range from only small enhancements of teaching practices using what are essentially traditional methods, to more fundamental changes in their approach to teaching. ICTs can be used to reinforce existing pedagogical practices as well as to change the way teachers and students interact.

Using ICTs as tools for information presentation is of mixed effectiveness
The use of ICTs as presentation tools (through overhead and LCD projectors, television, electronic whiteboards, guided 'web-tours', where students simultaneously view the same resources on computer screens) is seen to be of mixed effectiveness. While it may promote class understanding of and discussion about difficult concepts (especially through the display of simulations), such uses of ICTs can re-enforce traditional pedagogical practices and divert focus from the content of what is being discussed or displayed to the tool being utilized.

Teacher technical abilities and knowledge of ICTs

Preparing teachers to benefit from ICT use is about more than just technical skills
Teacher technical mastery of ICT skills is a not a sufficient precondition for successful integration of ICTs in teaching.

'One-off training' is not sufficient
Teachers require extensive, on-going exposure to ICTs to be able to evaluate and select the most appropriate resources. However, the development of appropriate pedagogical practices is seen as more important that technical mastery of ICTs.

Few teachers have broad 'expertise' in using ICTs in their teachingEven in the most advanced school in OECD countries, very few teachers typically have a comprehensive knowledge of the wide range of ICT tools and resources.

In OECD countries, the use of ICTs to promote 'computer literacy' is seen as less important than in using ICTs as teaching and learning tools
In OECD experience, the use of technology in everyday teaching and learning activities appears to be more important than specific instruction in 'computer classes'. While the development of technology skills is seen to have a role in the teaching and learning process, it is more important as an enabler of other teaching and learning practices, and not too important in and of itself. Schools that report the highest levels of student ICT-related skills and experience are often not those with heavy computer course requirements, but rather ones that made use of ICTs on a routine basis throughout the teacher professional development and the teaching and learning process.

Students are more sophisticated in their use of technology than teachers
In OECD countries, there appears to be a great disconnect between student knowledge and usage of ICTs the knowledge and abilities of teachers to use ICTs. This suggests that teacher inexperience and skill deficiencies may often be an important factor inhibiting the effectiveness of ICT use in education by students.

Teacher usage of ICTs

Teachers most commonly use ICTs for administrative tasks
Teachers most often use ICTs for 'routine tasks' (record keeping, lesson plan development, information presentation, basic information searches on the Internet).

More knowledgeable teachers rely less on 'computer-assisted instruction'
Teachers more knowledgeable in ICTs use utilize computer-assisted instruction less than other teachers who use ICTs, but utilize ICTs more overall.

How teachers use ICTs is dependent on their general teaching styles
Types of usage of ICTs correlate with teacher pedagogical philosophies. Teachers who use ICTs the most -- and the most effectively -- are less likely to use traditional 'transmission-method' pedagogies. Teachers who use more types of software tend to practice more 'constructivist' pedagogies.

Teaching with ICTs takes more time
Introducing and using ICTs to support teaching and learning is time-consuming for teachers, both as they attempt to shift pedagogical practices and strategies and when such strategies are used regularly. Simply put: Teaching with ICTs takes more time (estimates vary on how much extra time is required to cover the same material; 10% is a common estimate).

Teacher confidence and motivation

Few teachers are confident users of ICTs
Few teachers are confident in using a wide range of ICT resources, and limited confidence affects the way the lesson is conducted.

Fear prevents many teachers from using ICTs
In OECD countries, many teachers still fear using ICTs, and thus are reluctant to use them in their teaching.

ICTs motivate (some) teachers, at least at the start
At least initially, exposure to ICTs can be an important motivation tool to promote and enable teacher prof

Ict In Everyday Learning