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Reform of Education

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BROAD TOPIC: REFORM OF EDUCATION
NARROWED TOPIC: REFORMING SECONDARY MATHEMATICS EDUCATION IN ST. LUCIA THROUGH THE USE OF ICTs

Saint Lucia is part of a group of islands which form the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). The current trends of the island show an increase in adults who are dependent on the ministry and their parents, as well as an increased hardship on the younger members of society. In order to achieve economic growth and national development, a highly skilled and efficient workforce is needed. Improved performance in mathematics at the primary and secondary levels is necessary for a growing workforce that is becoming more mathematically based. Boaler (2009) states, “Mathematics is now so critical to young people that some have labelled it the ‘new civil right” (p. 9). According to the Compact Oxford English Dictionary for Students, “Education means the process of teaching and learning” (p. 317) whereas “Reform means to make changes in something in order to improve it” (p. 862). Therefore from these two definitions, educational reform is improving the way students learn and are taught thus creating students who are prepared for a workforce where the use and understanding of numbers is critical, the use of Information and communication Technologies (ICTs) in the mathematics classroom is crucial. There are many reasons why ICTs are used in the mathematics classroom and though beneficial in many ways, several challenges are faced during the implementation process.
The potential of ICTs in the mathematics classroom as well as the cognitive role that ICTs play in Mathematics Education are two main reasons why mathematics should be taught in St. Lucia using ICTs. ICTs in the teaching of mathematics has the potential to bring mathematics teachers together through the sharing of lesson plans in a SkyDrive. Teachers may discuss the benefits or drawbacks of using certain methods. Also teachers can work collaboratively to teach better as well as learn from each other through the sharing of information (Bennison and Goos, 2010). The use of ICTs can also bring mathematics to life for students through the use of interactive mathematics software like NCTM, graphics and real life examples that students can see and hear therefore catering for different types of learners (The Mathematical Association, 2002). Lastly, the use of ICTs in mathematics can increase the pace at which students are taught content ensuring that the syllabus is completed within its required time frame as well as lessons run smoothly and students learn. A cognitive role that ICTs play in teaching mathematics is that students not only learn the content and skills required but they also develop thinking skills through appropriate ICTs which is important as developing adults. Also, through real world visualizations, students are better able to make connections to prior math knowledge as well as relate new knowledge to experiences in their lives.
Together with the reasons ICTs should be used are the benefits of using ICTs in teaching mathematics to teachers and students. ICTs in mathematics benefit teachers as there is greater flexibility for them, which increases the amount of work that can be done. Flexibility as in what time or where students complete work given. Students may be able to do quizzes and get assignments online through the use of online programs. Another benefit is that teachers gain ICT literacy skills which makes them more marketable as well as gain confidence and enthusiasm in teaching the subject as students are energized and perform better. Another merit is that students spend more time doing mathematics outside of the classroom environment which means more practice takes place and therefore their grades get better. Lastly there are less disciplinary issues as students tend to be more on task during the lesson. One of the benefits of using ICTs in mathematics is that students become responsible, independent and active learners which would allow them to better prepare to enter the workforce and engage in lifelong learning. Also, with the use of ICTs students would be able to access education resources regardless of the time or date (Freedman, 2011). With the integration of ICTs in mathematics, students will receive a better quality of mathematics education as understanding of concepts would take place instead of learning by rote. Also, scaffolding through students’ interaction of topics and assignments would take place at any time. Mohanty (2011) posits through his research that, “Students who used educational technology in school felt more successful in school, were more motivated to learn and have increased self-confidence and self-esteem”. This is something we want to achieve in the mathematics classroom. We want individuals who are confident with less self-esteem issues, who are motivated to learn and do not need us constantly at them in order to do work.
Though the use of ICTs in the mathematics classroom would be tremendously beneficial to St. Lucia, there are challenges to the implementation of their use such as the need for teachers to be continuously trained, financing and changing the culture of mathematics teachers. In order to effectively integrate ICTs into the teaching of mathematics, teachers must first be trained to use the technologies effectively and after the initial training, teachers would require ongoing support. Hudson and Porter (2010), noted that, “the lack of time to undergo training, the need for technology support, the compatibility of hardware and software, lack of confidence using the software, knowledge of teaching strategies using computers and the inability to troubleshoot problems with computers” (p. 6) made it important for professional development and training to occur in order to implement ICTs. All these reasons stated by Hudson and Porter also make it extremely important for ongoing support for teachers once the training is complete. In order for teachers to be trained relevant personnel must be recruited who would conduct training sessions. This would be costly to St. Lucia as there are very few who are trained in implementing ICTs in education. Thus, the country would be faced with the burden of getting external sources to come in to train approximately 120 secondary mathematics teachers and be on hand for support. Financing the hardware and software as well as furnishing schools and homes with computers and effective mathematics software would also be extremely expensive especially for a small island like St. Lucia. Another challenge faced in implementing ICTs would be the culture of mathematics teachers. Teachers are of the belief that if ICTs are implemented, they will no longer be needed by students (British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta), 2003). They are of the belief that nothing is wrong with the way in which they teach because they are comfortable. But as Brian Tracey once said, “Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.”
The use of ICTs in the mathematics classroom is great as it has the potential to create better mathematics teachers through the sharing of ideas, make mathematics interactive and fun for students, increase the pacing of the syllabus, develop thinking skills in students and help students make connections with prior knowledge. The benefits of using ICTs in the mathematics classroom include flexibility for both teachers and students in completing tasks, teachers become more marketable due to ICT literacy skills, students become more motivated to do work in and out of class which increases mathematical performance, students get to work collaboratively and therefore allows scaffolding to take place, thereby enabling students to get a higher quality of mathematics education. As much as using ICTs in the mathematics classrooms would be beneficial to St. Lucia, the fact remains that challenges such as continuous teacher training and support must be available. Certainly, financing and the culture of mathematics teachers could prevent the use of ICTs from materializing. Therefore, recommendations that may help ensure that the use of ICTs in the mathematics classroom comes to fruition are as follows. Firstly, scholarship programs in the area of integrating ICTs in education could be offered to the general public. Secondly, the Ministry of Education who is directly responsible for Mathematics Education, could get grants from other countries to help finance the integration of ICTs in St. Lucia and finally, teachers need to be informed as to how ICTs can change the way they teach positively. They need to see facts from places where ICTs have been integrated into the teaching of mathematics and how these teachers were able to cope with the change. Finally teachers need to know that there is support to help when they are stuck. All these suggestions would help with the smooth transition of using ICTs in the mathematics classrooms in St. Lucia.

References
Bennison A., & Goos M. (2010). Learning to Teach Mathematics with Technology: A Survey of Professional Development Needs, Experiences and Impacts. Mathematics Education Research Journal, 22, 31-36. Retrieved October 19, 2015, from http://www.pucrs.br/famat/viali/tic_literatura/artigos/tics/MERJ_22_1_Bennison_Goos.pdf
Boaler J. (2009). The Elephant in the Classroom: Helping Children Learn and Love Maths. London: Souvenir Press Ltd.
British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta). (2003). What the
Research says about using ICT in Maths. Retrieved October 19, 2015, from http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130401151715/http://www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload/15014MIG2799.pdf
Freedman, T. (2011). 13 reasons to use educational technology in lessons. Retrieved October
25, 2015, from http://www.ictineducation.org/home-page/2011/3/3/13-reasons-to-use-educational-technology-in-lessons.html
Hudson, R., & Porter, A. (2010). ICT Use to Improve Mathematics Learning in Secondary
Schools in D. Gronn, & G. Romeo (Eds) ACEC2010: Digital Diversity. Conference Proceedings of the Australian Computers in Education Conference 2010, Melbourne 6-9 April. Carlton, Victoria: Australian Council for Computers in Education (ACEC). Retrieved from http://acec2010.acce.edu.au/proposal/970/ict-use-improve-mathematics-learning-secondary-schools
Mohanty, R. (2011). ICT Advantages & Disadvantages. Retrieved October 25, 2015 from http://ict-adv-disadv.blogspot.com/
Oxford. (2006). Compact Oxford English Dictionary for University and College Students. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
The Mathematical Association. (2002). ICT and Mathematics: a guide to learning and teaching mathematics 11-19. Retrieved from http://www.crme.soton.ac.uk/publications/kjpubs/ICT_and_Mathematics.pdf

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