ICT POLICIES AND ISSUES: IMPLICATIONS TO TEACHING AND LEARNING

Introduction

Globalization is a reality and ICT has become a fundamental part of the process. A networked
society is one in which the entire planet is organized around telecommunicated networks of computers.

LESSON 1: POLICIES AND ISSUES ON INTERNET AND IMPLICATIONS TO TEACHING AND LEARNING

DEFINITION OF ICT POLICY

The Oxford english dictionary has defined "policy" as a course of action, adopted and pursued by
government, party, ruler, stateman. It is any course of action adopted as expedient or advantageous. Its
operational definition is a plan of actions to guide decisions and achieve outcomes.

THE NEW ICT TECHNOLOGIES

1. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

-This includes the use of computers which has been become indespensable in modern societies to
process data and save time and effort.

2. TELECOMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

- It includes telephones and the broadcasting of radio and television often through satellites.

3. NETWORKING TECHNOLOGIES

- The best known of networking technologies is internet, but has extended to mobile phone
technology, VOIP, satellite communications and other forms of communications are all their infancy.

THE DICT ROADMAP

- The department of information and communication technology (DICT) has formulated a roadmap
to guide all agencies in the utilizations, regulations and enhancement of ICT. Each proj3ct has
corresponding policy statements and guidelines.

POLICY RECOMMENDED PROGRAM THAT HAVE APPLICATIONS IN EDUCATION TEACHING- LEARNING

ARE:
1. ICT in education masterplan for all levels.

2. Content and application development through the open content in education.

3. PhEDNET is a "walled" gardeb that hosts educational learning and teaching materials and applications
for use by filipino students, their parents and teachers.

4. Established community E-learning centers called ESKWELA for out-of-school youth.

5. eQUALITY program for tertiary education through partnership with state universities and colleges
(SUCs).

6. Digital media arts program which builds digital media skills for government using open source
technologies.

7. ICT skills strategic plan.

SOME ISSUED ON ICT AND INTERNET POLICY REGULATIONS

GLOBAL ISSUES

Access and civil liberties are two sets of issues in ICT policy which are crucial to the modern
society.

ISSUE NO. 1: FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND CENSORSHIP

- Under international human rights conventions, all people are guaranteed the rights for free
expressions.

ISSUE NO. 2: PRIVACY AND SECURITY

- Privacy policies are an issue. Most commercial sites have a privacy policy.

ISSUE NO. 3: SURVEILLANCE AND DATA RETENTION

- The use of electronic communications has enhanced the development of indirect surveillance.

ISSUE NO. 4: POLLUTANTS FROM E-WASTE

- Large amount of E-waste is genrated by ICT. These are in particular, termibal equipments used for
computing and peripherals.
IMPLICATIONS TO TEACHING AND LEARNING

• FOR TEACHERS AND TEACHING

1. Guide the teachers on what they should teach that relates to, and how to teach it.

2. Technology should never replace any human teacher.

3. There are rules and regulations that govern the use of technology. Caution should be observed and to
protect individual privacy.

4. All the issu3s and many more shall be part of the teaching content as eqch teacher will be encouraged
to use technology in teaching.

•FOR THE LEARNERS AND LEARNING

- The learners of the 21st century are even more advabced than some of tge teachers.

- Learners should take advantage of the potential of learning support they can derive.

Both teachers and learners should be mindful of tge E-waste being thrown away to the land and to the
atmosphere.

LESSON 2: SAFETY ISSUES ON THE USE OF ICT INCLUDING E-SAFETY RULES

•SOME RISK IN THE USE OF ICT AND E-NETWORKING•

1. Exposure to inappropriate content, including on-line pornography extremism ( exposure to violence

associated with racist language).

2. Lifestyle websites like self-harms and suicide sites and hate sites.

3. Cyber-bullying in all forme, receiving sexually explicit images or messages;

4. Privacy issues including disclosure of personal information.

5. Healtg and well being

6. Prolonged exposure to on-line technologies, particularly at an early age.

7. Addiction to gambling and gaming

8. Theft and fraud from activities such as phishing.

9. Viruses, trojans, spyware and other malware; and

10. Social pressure to maintain online networks via texting and social networking sites.

MINOR MISUSE OF ICT

In school, some minor misuse made by the learners include the following;

•Copying information into assignment and failing to acknowledge thr source plagiarism and copyright
infringement.

•Downloading materials not relevant to their studies.

•Misconduct associated with subject logins, such as using someone else's password.

• Leaving a mobile phone turned on during class period.

•Unauthorized taking of pictures or images with mobile phone camre, still or moving.

E-SAFETY ISSUES

• E-safety helps safeguard children and young people in digital world.

• E-safety emphasizes learning to understand new technology in a positive way

•E-safett educates children about risks as well as the benefits so we can feel confident online and;

• E-safety supports young learners and adults to develop saferbonline behaviors, both in and out of
school.

NETWORKING MANAGEMENT

1. Safety in the use of networks in school

2. Password policy

3. Personal mobile phones and mobile devices

4. Cameras
SETTING UP AN EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOY ROOK

Schools that plan to deducate a room where the students can access technologies for learning should
include the following basic safety rules:

1. Provide tiltable tables

2. Provide anti-glare screen filters

3. Provide adjustable chairs

4. Provide foot support

5. Make sure lighting is suitable

6. Make sure work stations arw not cramped.

7. Plan work at a computer so that there are frequent breaks.

MORE SPECIFIC RULES THAT CAN REDUCE RISK OF ACCIDENTS IN THE WORKING STATIONS SHOULD
INLCUDE:

1. No trailint wires across or around the room which people can trip on.

2. Electrical sockers should not be overloaded.

3. Electeical equipment should be safety- tested atleast once a year.

4. There should be adequate space around desk for people to move.

5. Bags and obstacle should be stored out of the way

6. Food and drinks should not be placed near machines

7. Heating and ventiliat8 should be suitable for the working environment.

8. Fire extinguishers should be available.

9. Firr exits should be clearly and free from clutter.