Exploring Interactive Multimedia Digital Content

Information and Communication Technology have changed the ways people live, work, learn, talk and play. In many countries, digital learning system is being built through the incorporation of information communication technology in schools. Bangladesh is not different from this. Children of the primary schools often called the digital or net generation. The Internet, smart phones, social networks brought the most significant change over the past decade in our daily life. But in general sense what do we understand about ICT? ICT is commonly used as an umbrella term for a wide collection of computer-based instruments, resources, environments, procedures, and skills used for obtaining, processing, and communicating information.

I have visited two different schools to know about the use and infrastructure of ICT in primary schools of Bangla and English version.

Selected Units:

1.      Unit 2, Lesson 1-2, See you! (English for Today, Class 5)

2.      Unit 3, Lesson 1-2, Saikat’s family (English for Today, Class 5)

Visited Schools:

·         School Name: Mirpur RC Government Primary School

Version: Bangla

Location: Mirpur, Dhaka

·         School name: Cherry Blossoms International School and College

Version: English

Location: Mirpur, Dhaka

A strong characteristic feature of primary education in Bangladesh is that most subjects are taught by the same teacher for each class. Bangladesh is a developing country and it has a lack of resources and appropriate infrastructure for implementing ICT in education. But according to the National Education policy 2010, the governments intends to extend the use of information and communication technology (ICT) instrumental in education process at every level.

Interview session:      Teacher of Bangla version

School:                        Mirpur RC Government Primary School

The technological infrastructure of ICT is a fundamental condition for implementing ICT in education. Computers, placing of cables and network points, electricity supplies, ICT hardware and software, human resources to setup and maintain the information are important for implementing ICT. Thus, I have visited Mirpur RC Government Primary School and took an interview of a class teacher from the school (The teacher did not want to reveal her name). The surprising part of visiting the school is that this school has no ICT instrument and the teachers do not take any digital content-based class. But the teacher informed me that she has got a 7 days training on ICT. Because of the lack of ICT resources in the school, she and other teachers do not take digital content-based class. Therefore, I felt much interest to know her notion about ICT. My first question to her was, what do you know about ICT? She explains that_ ICT refers to Information and Communication technology that is being used in a number of fields like, education, health, industries, agriculture, entertainment, games and sports, transportation, etc. It has made exchange of thoughts, ideas, feelings and experiences easier. In the field of education, people can get education and training simultaneously at a low cost with the help of ICT.

She added that it would have been much beneficial for her and her students if they could have ICT instruments in their classroom. It is a matter of great sorrow for her that in spite of having an ICT training she cannot apply digital teaching and learning content in her classroom. She said that_ to teach English and develop English language skills they have been using the traditional methods which are less interesting and ineffective as well as less motivating. So, it is necessary for them to use modern approaches and tools of ICT to develop better understanding and acquisition of basic 4 skills (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing) of English language among the students at primary level of education. She urges that computers, Internet, projectors, and other ICT tools and resources are much necessary applications in Teaching Learning Process as these are interesting, effective and motivating. She hoped that soon they will get these facilities in their classrooms and therefore, they will be able to apply digital learning content in their respective classroom.

I have asked her about http://digitalcontent.ictd.gov.bd/index.php/tutorial/digitalcontent.

She replied that she has got some idea about http://digitalcontent.ictd.gov.bd/index.php/tutorial/digitalcontent while she was on her training. But as she has no opportunity to use digital learning content in her classroom she has stopped exploring the website. But she said that this would be very much beneficial for her to teach in classroom as she often sees her students less motivated in the classrooms. She admits that Computer based learning will encourage her students in learning the lesson. She claims ICT as a distinct curriculum subject for the primary school students.

Interview session:      Teacher of English version

School:                        Cherry Blossoms International School and College

I have visited Cherry Blossoms International School and College and took an interview of an English teacher from the school. The teacher’s name was Fahmida Afroz Biva. She permitted me to elicits her name in my report.

            I was glad to know that they have been using ICT tools in teaching at the primary level of education. The English teacher was very friendly and she explains the necessity of ICT in education. She said that_ “I strongly feel ICT is required not only for English class but also for other classes”. She explains that ICT enhance teachers’ knowledge for developing skills for curriculum integration. Effective use of ICT-based assessment may also play a positive role in general practices of ICT integration. A good way for implementing ICT can be based on the use of computer-based assessment tools practiced by teachers.

She informed me that almost every classroom of the school contains ICT instruments and all other teachers got ICT training provided by school authority including herself. They have been using digital content from class one to five for every subject. One crucial thought she pointed out that_ ICT is much necessary in rural areas along with urban. ICT-based learning makes students competent and confident. Thus, only ICT can minimize the gap between the rural and urban areas development.

Technologies enhance students’ competency to work productively than in the traditional classroom but the role of teachers are the most crucial part in the ICT based classrooms. In the answer of the question about the idea of digital content Ms. Biva replied that_ Interactive media is the integration of digital media including combinations of electronic text, graphics, moving images, and sound, into a structured digital computerized environment that allows students to interact with the data for appropriate purposes.

What kind of ICT set up your institution has? She replied that_ they have computer, Internet, projector, sound system, electronic books etc. They also use http://digitalcontent.ictd.gov.bd/index.php/tutorial/digitalcontent as a digital content in their classrooms. Ms. Biva explains that_ the children of the new generation are so advanced. Most of them have internet access in their home. They know how to google, watch video on YouTube, play games and manipulate a computer. Children now a days are very much tech enthusiastic. Technology is in the hand of children when needed.

But, she said that_ few learners are not much interested in watching digital learning content, rather they are interested in seeing colorful pictures from the book. But this number of students are very few. In ICT-based learning classroom responses from the students are very much satisfying. Students are more interested on practical visualized classes rather than paper-based learning. There is an enthusiasm among them while they are watching and listening videos. Teachers and the learners mostly liked the materials for attractive animated presentation of the contents.

What is the reason of using ICT in the Classrooms? They have some valid reasons and visions to use ICT in the classrooms. She pointed out some of them_

·         To improve students’ critical thinking and problem-solving ability

·         Oral and written communication skills

·         Competent in technology

·         Empowering students as leader

·         Being open to new and innovative ideas

·         Connecting learners with real life experiences

·         Students learn to respect and sharing with fellows

·         Creating tech-based learning environment

Most of the teachers are skilled enough to use ICT-based instruments in the classrooms. The main advantage of using ICT in English teaching is the information required is more quickly and easily accessible for English teaching purposes. ICT has the potential to improve the educational system and ICT in the classroom can improve the student’s performance in every aspect of their student life. In education the impact of ICT is very high. The ICT based classroom is more interactive than any other classroom. Students can capture the different things in a very easy way which also very much durable for them. Bangladesh has made a vision to make a digitalized country. To full fill this dream all sectors are being digitalized for this reason including education sector.

Ms. Biva mentioned that there are some limitations of ICT-based teaching and learning in the classroom. She said that there is right and wrong information on the internet. So, sometimes choosing the right content for the young students seems very difficult. Again, she said multimedia are not necessarily beneficial if they are not properly used or designed. Too many attractive options on a multimedia text can divert children’s attention from its content. She also added that sometimes students create mess in the classroom while the teacher was busy to manage the multimedia. It became difficult for her to control the classrooms.

Observing the Learners: I have managed to convince three of my neighboring children to come in my home. They were the students of class 5 and they gladly accepted my invitation. When they came and saw the desktop computer, one of the students’ reaction was_ “oh computer! I like computer”. In the first glance I have found them tech enthusiastic. After a short greeting I have showed them my pre-selected videos of “Unit 2, Lesson 1-2, See you!” and Unit 3, Lesson 1-2, Saikat’s family from http://digitalcontent.ictd.gov.bd/index.php/tutorial/digitalcontent. I have asked them to complete the activity lessons. While they were engaged in watching digital content on the desktop computer I have found them very used to with such content on the computer. They were not facing difficulties while listening and watching. I found their listening is good as they were discussing the sentences with each other from the lesson. While completing the activity lesson they were speaking between themselves in English which is surely noticeable.

Though at times they were mumbling but speaking was also good. They were laughing and saying to each other that they have already finished these lessons in the school. But they were watching their lessons in animated form for the first time and that was surprising for them. One of the students was saying that the videos are very colorful and all the three students agreed with the comment. They said that they want to watch this animated lesson form in their classroom as well because this will be fun for them and they will be much interested in classroom learning. However, another student said that the animated characters of the lesson seems lifeless to him. He explains that the people in the animation are not moving fast like “Motu-Patlu and Tom & Jerry”. He has found the lesson less interested as the animated characters and the website were very slow. But overall, they enjoyed the lessons. They said that they will tell their all other friends about the animated lessons.  While they were about to finish the lesson they all were asking me how they will get to watch these lessons in their home as they want to show these lessons to their parents and other friends.

Later on, I asked them whether they liked this digital lesson or not. They replied cheerfully that they liked the lessons. Though they are very much advanced in using technology I have found them interested in the lessons. They are used to in paper-based education but in recent times they are very much enthusiastic about any ICT related activities. However, it is necessary to note that the more improvement of the animated form and the website will make students more interested and involved in such digital content-based learning.