Checkmating the Weaknesses Associated with Information and Communication Technologies in Education for Improved Effectiveness and Efficiency

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have been identified as having two sides like a coin when used instructionally. While some scholars insist on the need to always prepare and deliver instructions using ICTs, others express worries over the pedagogical weaknesses thereof. This paper therefore x-rays the instructional strengths of ICTs to include; improving educational quality, enhancing access to education, easing collaboration, motivating learning, provision of remote learning resources, enhancing technological literacy, amongst others. It further enumerates the weaknesses of ICTs in teaching and learning to include high cost of acquiring and maintaining infrastructure and equipment, creation of inequality among learners, causing distraction among learners, encouraging cheating in examination and during assignments, exposing learners to technological hazards, inter alia. The paper proffers recommendations on how to effectively engage ICTs in teaching – learning to maximize the potentials, amongst which are: adequate funding for ICT sector in every educational institution; identification of needs, goals and objectives; proper budgeting and planning; engaging stakeholders for awareness and getting their inputs; ensuring safe and conducive environmental setting for the equipment; carrying out periodic employment, training and re-training of man-power; putting in place robust plagiarism software to checkmate theft of intellectual property; and providing detailed orientation for learners who are the end-users of the ICTs in the classrooms. Keywords: Checkmating, Weaknesses, ICTs, Effectiveness, Efficiency. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/12-8-11 Publication date: March 31 st 2021