What Causes Low ICT Proficiency in Students? By Obiri Kwame Yeboah

The assertion that students with low ICT - Information and Communication Technology - proficiency skills cannot effectively learn the English Language is wholly within the circle of truism.

The book is not dead. There are a lot of ICT textbooks in the system to be exploited. These books are available for beginners to advanced levels and present the information with details and easy-to-understand illustrations. There are also teachers, tutors, or instructors of this subject in the various schools and colleges. These books showcase topics like introduction to information and communication technology and vocabulary regarding the parts of a computer: the CPU or the Central Processing Unit, the mouse, the monitor, and the keypad. In general, the software and hardware of the computer systems are treated vividly.

Even though there are books and teachers in the various schools for learning and teaching; however, there are still students with low ICT proficiency. This is because the degree of responsiveness to the learning impact of the brain on individuals or students differs from one person to another. Some students are fast learners, some are average learners, and some are slow learners. Our ability to learn is also influenced by our cultural background, religion, profession, family status, and financial status. There is an adage that "man is a product of his environment."

To explain it further, for example, in a family where there is chaos or confusion and marital conflicts, there is no peace at home for the kids or students to have a sound mind to study and progress in their studies. This can affect their ICT proficiency. They will indeed become kids with low ICT proficiency. On the other hand, in a family with a peaceful atmosphere, where the husband and wife live in love and understanding, the kids or the future students can concentrate and learn to become students with high ICT proficiency.

Again in a family with financial problems and low income, the parents cannot afford the finances of their kids in their studies. They are not able to finance them to facilitate their studies in ICT. Sometimes, parents cannot afford to buy computers for their children, which slows their ability to progress in Information in the ICT field.

Under the studies of ICT comes the use of applications and websites to communicate with people. The most popular ones are Google, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram. The whole process is known as social media. This is where teachers use the applications and the websites available to communicate with students and make teaching and studying easier. They do it online, and students and teachers can get information from home even after school using online resources.

Many students are struggling to come out of low ICT proficiency and need the support of the government and society. The government can employ more teachers of ICT in the schools. The government can provide more ICT textbooks and computers for students. Finally, the government can increase the monies for student finance for families with low income. Students with low ICT proficiency cannot effectively use modern computer technology to progress in English Language studies.

The government indeed has to take steps to help students, especially students with low ICT proficiency levels. However, it is also necessary for the students with low ICT proficiency levels to put extra effort into their studies. They should not be lazy to express their motivation, dedication to learning, and a responsible attitude toward their prospects by studying hard. I believe that a word to the wise is enough.

Author: Obiri Kwame Yeboah

Manchester, United Kingdom

(Level 1 – English – The Manchester College)