Frank McGinty

Parents: Can You Help Your Kids With ICT?



Posted: Thursday, December 11, 2008

by Frank McGinty
Family Life Plus

About ten years ago I came across a 15-year-old student whom I will probably always remember. He was a bright lad. He learned quickly and enthusiastically. He excelled in sports and had set his sights on a career in Health & Fitness.

Yet he had to face a major crisis when the national exams that would win him a place in college loomed. As part of the assessment process, many of his school subjects demanded the submission of reports, assignments and presentations using multi-media formats.

Now, this lad was well up to the mark in his knowledge and intelligence. But he had studiously avoided learning about the new information and communication technologies that seemed to be taking over the school. He used to boast that he was 'a technology-free zone'. He hated computers, and no one should ever give him a laptop because he would be unable to resist the temptation to hurl it from the nearest window!

And yet. . . Time passed and he was 'caught short'. He lagged behind his peers in ICT skills. Up 'til then he had managed to 'get by', asking or even paying his friends to type up and format his reports for him. But when the exams loomed and everyone was under the same pressure, they had no time to help out.

Fortunately, he was able to take a crash course and his natural intelligence, coupled with his new-found motivation, got him up to speed in time. It almost exhausted him and brought him to the brink of a total breakdown. Yet it could all have been avoided.

The point is, in modern education ICT skills are MUST HAVES for our children. They are no longer add-ons or peripherals.

So what exactly is ICT?

The letters stand for Information & Communication Technologies.

In schools and colleges they have taken on importance in not just the administration area, but in the educational process itself. Both teachers and students must be able to type, format and present information through a variety of media, including audio and video.

Many parents quake at the thought of using ICT. (But if you are reading this on a computer you are way ahead!) The problem for many, however, is that ICT changes so fast and they feel left out or left behind in this Brave New World. They then become frustrated and unable to help their children.

But there's good news. It's never too late to start - or, for that matter, too early - and the younger children are, the quicker they can pick up knowledge and skills without becoming fazed or intimidated.

Thankfully, the toys and games industry has delivered 'big time' in the provision of items and accessories to help children cope with the demands of 21st century education. The range of learning or educational toys and games is nothing short of phenomenal.

If you feel left behind, or even if you feel you've kept apace with modern developments, wouldn't you be glad to give your kids a head start in the awesome opportunities of education and ICT? Look into the wonderful world of learning toys and you'll be both reassured and amazed.

_____________

Would you like to know more and give your kids the best possible start in their education? Frank McGinty has researched the best learning toys for you at http://www.funeducationalgames.info. You can also pick up a free report to boost your kids' concentration at school from http://concentration.fssgold.com

This Article has been viewed 245 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
No comments yet.
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.