In education, information and communication technology [ICT] uses ultramodern technology to enhance and optimize information delivery in schools and educational establishments.
Research has shown that ICT is very impactful to students and teachers in Rwanda and worldwide.
ICT in education, considered as ultimate by the Rwanda government, has fueled the growth of the students in the following ways:
1. Supporting self-directed learning
A country like Rwanda has set an initiative to improve education through ICT because the ICT sector has drastically changed the way people study.
Students are frequently engaged in meaningful use of the computer, and it creates new knowledge through accessing, organizing, and interpreting data.
In learning through ICT, students can use data from various sources to accurately access the learning materials.
2. Influencing better teaching and learning method
Rwanda’s government initiative in ICT in education has helped increase learner motivation and engagement by facilitating the acquisition of basic skills.
The initiative has also enhanced the teacher’s training and, as a transformational tool that ICT is, has promoted the shift to a learner-centered environment.
The presence of ICT in Rwanda education has paved the way for new ways of learning for teachers, students and has ensured students can learn outside the classroom.
Thus, the use of ICT in education will broaden students’ knowledge beyond what they already know.
3. Promoting higher thinking skills
The initiative of ICT in the Rwanda government has helped its students have higher thinking skills and IQ.
Using information technology in teaching has created possibilities for students to discuss, test, evaluate, plan, justify and conjecture the various strategies to solve a problem.
Due to the constructive learning approach, ICT helps the student to center on the higher-level concept. Statistically, there is some significant correlation between studying with ICT and the acquisition of critical thinking skills.
Hence, more prolonged exposure of students in the ICT environment can foster students’ critical thinking skills.
4. Language development
Language development as an essential factor of ICT in Rwanda education will best be understood when a laptop, a computer is put up in a classroom.
Naturally, ICT encourages collaboration with students to share how to do their work, which creates room for communication, thus achieving language development.
This language development is more beneficial to students whose mother tongue is different from the official language of instruction.
5. Preparing students for the digitally dominated society
We are in the 21st century, where it is imperative to have the ability to produce and use information effectively.
We are in an era where ICT has permeated all industrial sectors like health, education, the environment, and manufacturing.
Rwanda’s initiative in ICT will empower its students as ICT will continuously be a significant part of our future.
ICT steadily connects itself to an increasingly part of our lives. Also, it is beneficial for students to learn the possibilities related to their future jobs or education.
6. Minimizes cost and saves time
ICT in Rwandan education reduces too much reliance on manual resources. Online content delivery reduces printing costs and supports the physical printed copy.
Unlike printed copy, online material can be quickly and efficiently updated and distributed, which is equally adaptable to change in terms of the number of students.
At the same time, ICT can also reduce time spent on unnecessary tasks and training by utilizing video and web video conferencing.
7. Deepening students insights in searching for information
One of the significant reasons ICT in Rwanda education fuels growth is that it serves as information.
The search engine helps fill the students with complete information and accommodates as many searchers as possible nonstop.
The primary usage of ICT in education is to inform those willing to adapt to emerging technological growth.
ICT has contributed positively to education because the everyday life of an avid reader revolves around online searches, and at times, it directs the searcher to video sites.
8. Improves learning engagement and knowledge retention
ICT in education will improve the interest of learning in students. Using resources like videos, websites, games, and graphics can make traditional subjects more absorbing.
The use of information technology in schools has brought different subjects closer to more entertaining students through multimedia content.
9. Quickens the learning ability of disabled students
When teachers apply ICT as a teaching and learning methodology, it will be more serviceable for disabled students.
Students with health problems can live in a world of possibility by lust using a computer.
With ICT in education, all students can be placed on equal footing to get the necessary education.
Conclusion
We cannot sweep under the carpet the benefits of information and communication technology in teaching have created in the Rwandan school system.
Information Communication Technology is known as ICT, has helped to fuel the growth of students in Rwanda.
The Rwanda government made the best decision to implement ICT in Rwanda schools, and the initiative will enable students to fit in the digital world.
Rwanda ICT Initiative has enormously impacted the country’s school system, and all African countries should imitate the ICT innovation at all educational levels.
