EDUC13: ICT Policies and Safety Issues in Teaching and Learning

After finishing this lesson, you'll know how policies and problems can change how
teachers teach, and students learn. You'll also learn more about online safety rules
that both students and teachers need to follow.

Learning Outcome
• By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to:
• Know the rules about using technology in schools.
• Understand how those rules affect what teachers and students do.
• See how those rules shape technology use in lessons and activities.
What is an ICT Policy?

 Policy: A plan of action used by a government or organization to guide

decisions and achieve goals.
 ICT Policy: Rules and guidelines for using Information and
Communication Technologies (ICT). This includes things like the
internet, phones, and broadcasting (radio and TV).

Why do we need ICT Policies?

ICT Policies provide a roadmap for how governments and organizations

should use technology. They help ensure technology is used responsibly and
effectively.

What is ICT?

ICT stands for Information and Communication Technologies. It's technology

that helps us communicate and access information. This includes:

 The internet
 Wireless networks (Wi-Fi)
 Cell phones
 And other ways we communicate

Think of ICT as a broader term than IT (Information Technology). While IT

focuses on computers and data, ICT includes all the ways we use technology
to communicate.

The Philippines' ICT Plan

  DICT Roadmap: The Department of Information and Communication
Technology (DICT) created a plan for how government agencies should
use and improve technology. This plan includes rules and guidelines
for each project.
 Republic Act No. 10844: This law, passed in 2016, created the DICT.
The DICT is in charge of planning and managing how the government
uses technology.
 IT Roadmap: This is like a technology plan that organizations use to
guide their technology projects. For example, a company might use an
IT roadmap to plan how to move their data to cloud storage.
 ICT4E: This program, run by the DICT, helps schools use technology in
education. It helps schools get the technology they need (like
computers, software, and internet access) and use it effectively for
teaching and learning.

Essentially, the Philippines has a national plan for using technology, and part
of that plan focuses on how technology is used in education.

ICT Programs for Education in the Philippines

The Philippines has several programs to improve technology use in

education:

1. ICT Masterplan: This plan outlines how to use ICT in education at all
levels, including training teachers to use technology effectively.
2. Open Content in Education Initiative (OCEI): This program creates
interactive learning materials and apps for schools. It also holds
contests to encourage students and teachers to create educational
web content.
3. PheONET: This is a secure online platform with learning materials and
apps for students, parents, and teachers. All public high schools can
access it, and it only includes materials approved by the Department of
Education.
4. Community eLearning Centers (eSkwela): These centers provide
out-of-school youth with access to technology and educational
opportunities.
5. eQuality Program: This program works with universities to improve
IT education and technology use in higher education across the
country.
6. Digital Media Arts Programs: This program teaches government
agencies how to use digital media using open-source tools.
7. ICT Skills Strategic Plan: This plan helps the government identify
and address the need for ICT skills in the workforce.

All these programs are part of the Philippines' overall plan to improve
technology use in the country, with a focus on education.
Health and Safety Risks of Using ICT

Using computers too much can be bad for your health. This includes
problems like:

 Physical problems: Bad posture, eye strain, and injuries from using
the keyboard and mouse too much.
 Solutions: Using ergonomic chairs, positioning your computer
correctly, taking breaks, and doing exercises can help.

Online Risks

The internet can be a dangerous place, especially for children. Here are
some of the risks:

 Inappropriate content: Seeing things like pornography, violence,

and hate speech.
 Harmful websites: Websites that encourage self-harm, suicide, or
hatred.
 Cyberbullying: Being bullied online, including receiving sexual
messages or images.
 Privacy issues: Sharing personal information online can be risky.
 Health and well-being: Spending too much time online can affect
physical and mental health, especially with things like internet gaming.
 Addiction: Becoming addicted to online gambling or gaming.
 Theft and fraud: Criminals can use "phishing" and other tricks to
steal information or money.
 Malware: Computers can get viruses and other harmful software.
 Social pressure: Feeling pressure to stay connected online all the
time.

Protecting Children

Parents, teachers, and schools need to protect children from these online
risks. This includes teaching them how to stay safe online and monitoring
their online activity.

Minor Misuse of ICT by Students

Here are some examples of how students might misuse technology in

schools:

 Plagiarism: Copying information for assignments without giving credit

to the source.
 Downloading inappropriate material: Downloading things that are
not related to their studies.
  Misusing logins: Using someone else's password or sharing their own
password.
 Using mobile phones in class: Having a mobile phone turned on
during class.
 Taking unauthorized pictures or videos: Using a phone to take
pictures or videos without permission.

These are considered "minor" misuses, meaning they are not serious crimes
but still break school rules. Schools usually have policies in place to address
these issues.

Important Issues with ICT and the Internet

There are several big challenges related to technology use today:

 Access: Not everyone has equal access to the internet and

technology. This is a problem because it creates inequality.
 Civil Liberties: These are basic human rights, like freedom of speech
and privacy. Technology can affect these rights in new ways.

Here are some specific examples of how technology creates challenges for
our rights:

 Freedom of Expression and Censorship: The internet allows

people to share information easily, but it also makes it easier for
governments or companies to censor information they don't like.
 Privacy and Security: Websites collect a lot of information about us,
and it can be hard to know how they are using it. This can threaten our
privacy.
 Surveillance and Data Retention: Governments and companies can
use technology to track our online activity and store our data. This can
feel like an invasion of privacy.
 E-waste: Technology creates a lot of electronic waste (e-waste) that
can harm the environment and our health.

What can we do?

Both teachers and students need to be aware of these issues and use
technology responsibly. We need to think about how to protect our rights
and the environment while still enjoying the benefits of technology.

How Technology Impacts Learning

 Effective Use: When teachers know how to use technology well, it can
really help students learn.
  Examples: Technology can be used in many ways, like interactive
whiteboards, learning apps on phones, and "flipped classrooms" where
students watch lectures at home and do activities in class.
 Benefits: Technology can help students develop important skills, be
more creative, and learn at their own pace. It also prepares them for a
world where technology is constantly changing.

Challenges and Considerations

 Cost: Providing technology for everyone can be expensive. Schools

need to think about the costs and benefits.
 Infrastructure: Schools need the right equipment and support to use
technology effectively.
 Teacher Training: Teachers need training and support to use
technology in their teaching.

Digital Literacy and Culture

 Essential Skills: In today's world, it's important for everyone to know

how to use technology to find information, communicate, and
participate in society. This is called digital literacy.
 Integrating Technology in Schools: Many countries are using
technology in schools to help students develop these skills.

Examples of Technology in Education

 Laptops: Providing laptops for each student can be helpful, but also
expensive.
 Tablets: Tablets are versatile and can be used with learning apps. The
best apps encourage creativity and critical thinking.
 Interactive Whiteboards: These can be used for whole-class
teaching, but it's important to also have technology for students to use
individually.
 E-readers: E-readers can be great for encouraging reading, especially
for students who don't like traditional books.
 Flipped Classrooms: This model can change how learning happens,
but more research is needed on its effectiveness.

This text highlights the potential benefits and challenges of using technology
in education. It emphasizes the importance of digital literacy and provides
examples of how technology can be used in the classroom.

Teacher Training and Support

Professional Development: Teachers need training to use technology effectively for
things like assessing students, providing individualized instruction, and finding
online resources.
Impact on Teaching: Good training can change how teachers feel about using
technology and help them use it in their specific subject areas.
Support for Change: It's important for school leaders and decision-makers to also be
trained in technology so they can support teachers.
Ensuring Effective Use of Technology

School Policies: Schools need policies that ensure they have the necessary
technology infrastructure, like good internet access and security measures.
Teacher Policies: There should be policies that support teachers in developing their
technology skills and using technology for teaching.
Curriculum Integration: Technology needs to be integrated into the curriculum for it
to be used effectively.
Digital Content: Digital learning materials should be available in local languages and
reflect local cultures.
Ongoing Support: Schools need ongoing technical, human, and organizational
support to use technology effectively.
Addressing Challenges and Ensuring Inclusivity

Cost: Technology can be expensive. Schools need to find ways to make it affordable
and sustainable.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD): Allowing students to bring their own devices can
help with costs, but schools need to ensure all students have equal access.
Digital Divide: Not all students have equal access to technology and the internet.
Policies need to address this inequality.
Minority Language Groups: Students who speak a minority language may have less
access to technology and online resources. Technology can also be used to help
these students learn.
Students with Different Learning Styles: Technology can be used to support different
learning styles and provide individualized learning experiences.