ICT-based Learning Environment Research Articles

The Role and Impact of ICT in Improving the Quality of Education in Reference to NEP 2020

ICTs are making drastic changes in society. They are influencing all fields of life. Similarly, there is no doubt that ICT brings a enormous change in the field of education also. It makes teaching- learning process more effective and interesting. To know the impact of ICT in education we need to know two basic terms- ICT and education. The ICT is an umbrella that includes any communication device or application, encompassing, radio, television, cellular phones, computer, and network hardware and software, satellite system and so on, as well as the various services and applications associated with them, such as video conferencing and distance learning. Such technologies are used for educational purposes, namely to help and improve the learning of student and develop learning environments. ICT can be considered as a sub field of educational technology. The paper discusses the role and effect of ICTs, and how they can promote time ahead growth and development. In educational system, the inputs are teachers, students, classroom materials, equipment of teaching, methods of teaching and the outputs are quantity as well as quality of student learning result. The proper unification of ICT with teaching/ learning environment increases the chance of gaining education along with increased productivity. Information communication technologies are influencing all fields of life including education. They are promoting positive changes in working style, handling and exchanging of information, teaching- learning approaches . One area in which the impacts of ICT is significant, is education. ICTs are making major changes in the teaching approaches and the ways students are learning. ICT-based learning environment facilitates active, collaborative, creative, integrative, and evaluative learning as an advantage over the traditional method. In addition, the major advantages of ICTs use in education systems of developing countries focus on training teachers in new skills and introducing innovative pedagogies into the classrooms, investing on ICT infrastructure for schools and creating networks among educational institutes, improving overall standard of education by reducing the gap in quality of education between schools in urban and rural areas, initiation of smart school with objectives to foster self-paced, self-assessed, and self-directed learning through the applications of ICTs, and developing ICT policy for education and training.

Virtual and Augmented Reality Applied to the Perception of the Sound and Visual Garden

The COVID-19 situation has encouraged the creation of ICT-based learning environments. Difficulties in performing activities in a garden setting can be overcome by using Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). The aim of this research is to evaluate the usefulness of VR and AR as an educational resource through contextualised sensory experiences in the garden. Eighty-seven trainee teachers took part, and a mixed methodology was used, for the analysis of the sound and visual elements of the garden and for reflection on the usefulness of VR and AR. An interpretive and inferential analysis of the AR-based compositions was carried out and of the drawings of the garden created by the participants after the virtual immersion. The results show a bucolic-pastoral vision of the garden with a predominance of natural elements and a human presence that is respectful of the natural environment. During the immersion, >90% of the participants indicated that the sensations were positive and were able to distinguish natural components from human and/or technological items. The role of VR and AR in enhancing the understanding of content is notable, being, at the same time, tool, resource and content, which reinforces the idea that they can favour the development of teaching and digital competences.

Study of the Self-Determined Motivation among Students in the Context of Online Pedagogical Activities

This article explores the self-determined motivation of a first-year students' group in the Ben M'sik Faculty of Science as part of formative assessment in the form of quizzes using the Moodle platform. This evaluation deals particularly with the case of the "Language and Terminology" course. We used Deci and Ryan's (1985, 1991, 2000) [1, 2, 3] Self-Determination Theory (SDT) to better assess motivation in our target audience in this ICT-based learning environment.
 The choice of a quantitative research methodology resulted in the administration of a questionnaire at the end of Semester 1 and 2, the latter is based on the motivation scale in education [4, 5]. The results show that the use of ICT-based formative assessment in university pedagogy appears to energize the self-determined motivation among learners.

Learning Mathematics in Metacognitively Oriented ICT-Based Learning Environments: A Systematic Review of the Literature

This article encompasses a systematic review of the research on ICT-based learning environments for metacognitively oriented K-12 mathematics education. This review begins with a brief overview of the research on metacognition and mathematics education and on ICT and mathematics education. Based on a systematic screening of the databases Web of Science and ERIC wherein three elements—ICT-based learning environments, metacognitive pedagogies, and mathematics—are combined, 22 articles/studies were retrieved, situated at various educational levels (kindergarten, elementary school, and secondary school). This review revealed a variety of studies, particularly intervention studies, situated in elementary and secondary schools. Most studies involved drill-and-practice software, intelligent tutoring systems, serious games, multimedia environments, and computer-supported collaborative learning environments, with metacognitive pedagogies either integrated into the ICT software itself or provided externally by the teacher, mainly for arithmetic or algebraic word problem-solving but also related to other mathematical topics. All studies reported positive effects on mathematical and/or metacognitive learning outcomes. This review ends with a discussion of issues for further theoretical reflection and empirical research.

How Should I Teach Sex Education in Middle School? An Action Research Study on an ICT-based Intervention

In this article, we, Diana, Álvaro and Irma, present findings from an action research project aiming to promote self-care behaviors around sexual and reproductive health (SBSRH) in adolescents at a public school in Colombia through the use of ICT-based learning environments. I, Diana, the teacher-researcher carried out an action research study first reflecting on teaching practices for teaching healthy sexual behaviors, then assessing them in light of theoretical recommendations, and finally by creating a blended-learning project called “Self-Care in Action”. Irma was the action-research advisor and Álvaro the ICT-research and development advisor. Two groups of 7th graders participated in the project. We collected and analyzed qualitative data to document changes in student behaviors and perceptions. Since the pedagogical intervention, a favorable change occurred in the students regarding their knowledge, attitude, and intention to practice SBSRH. The results shed light on the complexity of developing healthy sexual behaviors in adolescents and provide a guide for designing a meaningful class project to encourage this transformation. The findings here are relevant for teachers, health advocates and policy makers striving to create effective school-based sex education programs.

How to trigger students’ interest in digital learning environments: A systematic literature review


 The digital revolution and globalization have a deep influence on education at all levels. Various digital devices do not only provide students’ Internet connections, but also create more opportunities for them to get inspired, motivated, and engaged in learning activities. Recent research shows that triggering interest can enhance students’ self-regulation, collaboration, problem-solving, and joy of learning. Previous studies show that the pedagogical use of information and communication technology (ICT) can support student-centered and collaborative learning, and develop thinking skills and creativity. However, little is known about the relevance of digital technologies for triggering interest. The aim of this study is to review existing literature in the field of the learning sciences, and provide answers for the following two research questions: 1) Which factors trigger students’ interest in ICT-based learning environments? 2) Which methods have been used for exploring triggers? The systematic literature review (SLR) methodology will be used in this study. The results will be used for developing new research for exploring triggers that can awaken students’ interest in learning. The findings will be useful for researchers and teachers to discover appropriate methods and approaches in successful integration of ICT in learning environments and the teaching process.

ICT Usage and Attitudes Among EAC Undergraduate Students—A Case Study

Information and communication technology (ICT) has reshaped the traditional education system into a flexible and efficient e-learning context. However, computer usage, attitudes, and some other critical factors are the primary concern to implement e-learning in developing countries. This paper applies computer attitude scale and proposes a prediction model based on multiple linear regression to discover the key factors affecting computer attitudes for the implementation of the ICT-based learning environment. To identify the principal factors, we collect the data sets by the active participation of more than 900 undergraduate students from three different universities of East African Community countries in one year period. The experimental results reveal that the students are using technology in their daily lives, however, they are not using it to support their daily study. Qualitative evidence indicates that the university has lower requirements for using computers, and the restrictive rules to use technologies. In addition, the universities are in a shortage of necessary computer hardware and software. Besides, the factors which are affecting the attitudes toward computers are the urban or rural origin of the student, English language level, and parental encouragement.

The Integration of technology in teaching mathematics

This paper presents the Transformation of Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK) of three pre-service math teacher. They participate in technology-based learning modules aligned with teaching practice taught school and became characteristic of teaching method by using the mathematical software. ICT-based learning environment has been the demands in practice learning to build a more effective approach to the learning process of students. Also, this paper presents the results of research on learning mathematics in middle school that shows the influence of design teaching on knowledge of math content specifically.

The history, current state and future of electronic chemistry learning environments

This article discusses the historical development, current state, and needs future development of electronic learning environments for chemistry education. The study is by nature a theoretical literature review. Its aim is to canvass how the requirements related to chemistry learning environments have changed over time. By understanding the history, the further needs for development can be supported in the fast-advancing field of technology. The objects of investigation are the changes in both technology and chemistry education. Theory of blended learning was used as the theoretical framework for the study. In the theory section, it is combined with the possibilities of ICT in chemistry teaching and learning. In the historical framework of the article, the change in the requirements and possibilities of ICT-based chemistry learning environments is discussed from the perspective the recent history of chemistry education. It has been divided into three periods: 1) The use of ICT before the year 1999, 2) The use between the years 2000 and 2010, and 3) The use in 2011 and later. For each of the periods, the possibilities in chemistry education of one significant ICT tool are presented. In the analysis section of the study, these examples are reflected on the theory of blended chemistry learning and technological development. At the end of the article, three instructions are presented that can be employed in the use and development of chemistry learning environments. The instructions support the development of chemistry learning environment solutions that are technologically durable and take advantage of the various possibilities of ICT.

Pupils’ views on an ICT-based learning environment in health learning

This paper presents a study that examined pupils’ views on an ICT-based learning environment in health learning. The study was a part of the wider European Network of Health Promoting Schools programme (ENHPS; since 2008, Schools for Health in Europe, SHE) in Finland, and particularly its sub-project, From Puijo to the World with Health Lunch, which sought to renew secondary schools’ health education by developing and utilising an ICT-based learning environment. The research data were collected through a structured questionnaire presented to pupils (N = 92) in two secondary schools, one rural and one urban, in Eastern Finland. The results showed that pupils’ opinions about the ICT-based learning environment were fairly positive. Pupils felt that the ICT-based learning environment was easy to use and supported cooperative learning. Computing and Internet skills positively supported pupils’ favourable attitudes towards the ICT-based learning environment. An interesting result from the point of view of e-learning was that the pupils increased their awareness of how to critically evaluate health information found on the Internet.

Developing a Distributed Hands-On Course for Teaching Advanced Electrical Engineering Topics

Driven by a demand for more practical illustration of advanced electrical engineering topics for Master students in electrical engineering, six institutes of higher engineering education jointly developed a hands-on course on different aspects of intelligent electrical systems (lighting, domotics, power electronics, EMC, etc.). It is based on sharing and pooling specialised knowledge and laboratory equipment at the different sites, and is available for all students via mobility of students and lecturers. The course combines laboratory hands-on sessions with an ICT-based learning environment, according to the concept of guided independent learning. Extensive evaluation during two years of implementation with more than 45 exchanges, yields positive feedback from both students and lecturers and indicates that students have more insight into the topics than without hands-on experience.

A review of pedagogy related to information and communications technology

This article reviews research on pedagogies associated with the use of information and communications technology (ICT) in primary and secondary schools. We propose a framework for examining pedagogical practices based on an analysis of the nature of pedagogy as revealed in the literature. In the light of this framework we discuss empirical evidence of the use of different types of ICT in different subjects and phases of education. We identify pedagogical issues associated with ICT use and their implications for teachers' pedagogical reasoning and practices. The evidence suggests that new affordances provided by ICT-based learning environments require teachers to undertake more complex pedagogical reasoning than before in their planning and teaching that incorporates knowledge of specific affordances and how these relate to their subject-based teaching objectives as well as the knowledge they have always needed to plan for their students' learning. In addition the research shows that teachers' beliefs about the value of ICT for learning and the nature of successful learning environments are important in teachers' pedagogical reasoning

An activity-theoretical approach to research of ICT integration in Singapore schools: Orienting activities and learner autonomy

This paper discusses the findings of two case studies (two primary schools in Singapore), which are part of a larger research study, that aims to examine and analyze where and how information and communication technologies (ICTs) are integrated in Singapore schools to engage students in higher order thinking activities. For students to engage in higher order thinking, they first need to have autonomy over their learning processes. The focus of the paper is on how orienting activities support learner autonomy in the ICT-based learning environment. Taking the activity system as a unit of analysis, the study documents the actual processes by which orienting activities are planned and organized to support learner autonomy in their contexts. By employing methods such as observations, focus group discussions with students, and face-to-face interviews with teachers, an account of how the activity systems within and between classrooms, and the schools are generated. The account identifies and describes five categories of orienting activities: introductory sessions to ICT tools, advance organizers and instructional objectives, worksheets and checklists, dialogues among participants, and tools for post-instructional reflection. It also highlights the constraints of time and lack of knowledge and experience in the contexts that the teachers are working under, and how these constraints are addressed.