Is ICT Integration A Magic Wand for Education? A Comparative Historical Analysis between Singapore and Turkey


Cetin E., SOLMAZ E.

JOURNAL OF EDUCATION AND FUTURE-EGITIM VE GELECEK DERGISI, sa.12, ss.31-47, 2017 (ESCI) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Basım Tarihi: 2017
  • Dergi Adı: JOURNAL OF EDUCATION AND FUTURE-EGITIM VE GELECEK DERGISI
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.31-47
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: ICT in education, information and communicating technologies, ICT integration, Turkey, Singapore, SCHOOL
  • Gazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) integration has become increasingly important in educational systems of developing countries. However, there is a misconception about children's direct access to technological devices has a positive effect on their productivity and the quality of their learning. Several ICT integration projects have being implemented since 1984 by Ministry of Education in Turkey. In this context, there is a need to determine the necessity of ICT integration in education, mistakes and solutions while planning and implementing the ICT integration. This study presented the international assessment results of Singapore and Turkey in case of education and compared the histories of ICT integration in education process of these two countries. Comparative historical analysis method was used to compare the ICT integration history of two countries. Singapore holds the 1st rank in Network Readiness Index while Turkey holds the 48th rank in Global IT Report 2015. Various indexes were also examined such as quality of education, science and maths education and internet access in schools. Hence, some similarities and differences arose at the end of the comparison. Singapore and Turkey started to implement ICT integration studies in similar time periods. Findings indicated that ICT integration is essential, but it can be effective and beneficial when it will be implemented appropriate for the needs of the age as a supportive material for instruction and learning process. Moreover, it is important to focus on using it in all subject areas of the learning and instruction process instead of focusing on the ability of using the technological devices while planning the ICT integration process. Several recommendations according to the findings and comparisons were discussed in conclusion.