Information Technology and the Polish schools

Nowadays the world is still changing and developing thanks to the process of computerization tightly associated with the information and communication technology. No one should be surprised by the importance of promotion as well as the wide use of the computer and the technology  connected with the Internet during education process.

Unfortunately, in Polish society there is always a lot of mental barriers surrounding   the impact of IT on teaching and learning processes. As an educator I often meet with teachers who have many doubts about the usage of ICT in the learning process. The questions which are asked more frequently are ‘Does ICT is really necessary in the school?’, ‘ Do the effort undertaken by teachers using ICT may support the learning process?’. There is a  group of teachers who use computer aids unwillingly being supporters of ‘chalk method’ and ‘ex cathedra learning’. Many teachers claim that their lack of motivation directed to ICT results both from the lack of practices and existing long professional education standards for teachers. These two reasons were not taken into consideration while putting ICT into effect unlike those which are now required. Mythical opinions , worthy of overthrow, are characteristic for many parents who are of the opinion that the learning process via Internet should not be misled with the school learning.  The introduction of the information technology into the process of learning may have a lot of values and it ought to be the natural course of development of education. The development of technology offers schools many opportunities such as computers, interactive education systems and educational platforms. Creative and skillful use of multimedia can make the learning and teaching process will be more attractive to the student. What is also satisfactory is the fact that many teachers as well as schools take up bravely the challenge trying to change previous way of learning.

The aim of the learning process based on the use of ICT is neither to displace school books nor teachers. What is important is the coexistence of traditional education and digital technologies to the development of education and the increase in students’ knowledge and skills.

Today: interactive whiteboard 

Yesterday: chalkboard