Education in the early years mainly focused on mastering the three R’s: reading, ‘riting, and ‘rithmetic. However, with the first trend of technology, these three would seem to be incomplete to cope up with the sophisticated worlds of computer.

In the educational system of the Philippines setting, computers and ICT are already integrated. Training and seminars are conducted yearly to teach the educators in the operations of computers primarily on the software. But the problem so far even up to these days, only teachers of younger generations are interested to attend. Seasonal teachers are hardly convinced to engage themselves to learn computers. They thought that computers might replace them with their profession. Fear on the use of computers is greatly manifested then. They always believe that they are too old to learn and they don’t need such instrument to input the knowledge they have. They are contented with the traditional teaching, learning process so to speak. Computers and ICT are so intimate to delve with. They deal with more important issues than knowing the importance of ICT. They appreciate the integration of computers and ICT to a classroom teaching but they simply don’t want to adapt the technology.

Physical problems added to their hesitations. Very seldom you can see old teachers to use computers but the practice of chalk and board teaching. The eagerness to learn is not apparent. Teaching – learning situations are limited to the four corners of the room and lessons remain to be bookish. One really need to possess a great patience in trying to motivate teachers to subject themselves on the keyboard that finally work-out for their benefit and the long run the students.

Bearing this in mind, computer should be approached theoretically first and show more emphasis on ICT especially on the actual classroom teaching. This can be of great help in trying to win the hearts of superior teachers and find their world to an advanced and more effective teaching. Computer can offer a wide range of system applications that is of great help to ease up teaching. Besides, ICT can be very essential tool and a partner in teaching methods.

ICT: Student’s perspective
The effective use of computer and information technology in the teaching of subjects specifically to high school students is no longer an impossible option for the Filipinos. Most high schools in Metro Manila are now implementing the use of computers to teach their students in a more advanced and efficient way in respective subjects. Besides, it is already the 21st century-the age of Information Technology. We must go with the times and not be hindered by simple social or budgetary restrictions to reach out to the youth in order to learn more about computers and utilize them to educate the Filipino high school student.
Students would be able to appreciate and understand the lessons being discussed in a higher level because visual, audio, and practical approaches are applied. Of course actual and hands-on activities are better learning experience for students. Teachers, too, would certainly approve of this revolutionary teaching method, as most of the talking and discussions would be lifted from their shoulders. At first, he or she might have to make complex introductions as to the computers functions but as the lessons progresses the students would be more likely able to stand on their own. As I have pointed out earlier, since the students appreciate and learn more, there are bigger chances that they will be able to participate in the class discussions more often. Therefore the teacher does less talking and lets the computers do the work for him. However, he would not be completely relieved of his workload. The computers would prove as a better means for the students to visualize the topics being discussed.

Computers are a real big help. These also helps in making the youth computer literate and they can definitely use what meager knowledge they have applied and used in learning Science in their classrooms before in their future jobs in the long run. At least in college, they will no longer encounter many difficulties in dealing with computers because they have been used to them in their high school days. We must therefore maximize the time for them to be prepared for the ever-progressing technological world of today.

[Download this as a file]

▶Florencio C.Aquino, Jr.(E-mail : junseth2002@yahoo.com)