Dr. Thompson tells of benefits of ICT

Minister of Technology Dr. Jerrol Thomas is trumpeting the potential of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in social transformation, including “correcting the marginalization of young males today.”{{more}}

“The earlier reformers and adapters will lead the world in the 21st Century,” he told participants in a one-day symposium organized by the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL).

Thompson told the youth of the benefits of incorporating ICT into education.

He said a United Nations study found that one additional year of secondary education can increase an individual’s potential earning by 10 per cent and a nation’s national return by at least 12 per cent.

He further said studies suggest that students’ performance increase three-fold when they are able to complete research at home and engage in self learning.

“[Technology] … joins students and persons in the learning environment to the wider world and builds the new skills of the future. Technology gives students, teachers and citizens the resource and freedom for engaging in a quest for sharing information, self-learning and more effective education,” he said.

Thompson spoke of the Unity Labour Party (ULP) government’s plans for the incorporation of ICT in education here.

He spoke of a $40 million European Union sponsored project that will install wireless computer labs at all secondary school and 43 of the nation’s primary schools.

The remaining primary schools do not have the space for such facilities, Thompson said, adding that installation of the facilities should begin in November.

This will be in addition to a 1000-seat lecture theatre at the community college.

Peter Norville of ECTAD also spoke at the symposium which discussed ICT in business and entertainment, opportunities in online education and whether cell phones should be banned in schools. (KXC)