Pedagogical focus of the use of information technologies in education: Kazakhstani experience

Abstract

The integration of information technologies into education, in the broad sense, entails fostering the harmonious incorporation of children into the information society. This process requires the unification of educational (instructional) and developmental objectives. Information technologies today are no longer merely auxiliary pedagogical tools but have become an integral component of the school’s teaching and educational process. However, in practice, computer tools and digital technologies are predominantly mastered by children outside of school and are mainly employed for gaming and entertainment purposes. Increasingly, their influence on the consciousness and behavior of children and adolescents is observed to be negative. The excessive interest of young people in digital technologies is not always effectively directed toward achieving educational and developmental goals. Therefore, orienting the use of information technologies toward the moral and personal development of schoolchildren is an urgent pedagogical challenge. This article focuses on exploring the ways to strengthen the educational orientation of information technology use within the pedagogical process of schools. It defines the essence and specific features of educationally oriented learning supported by information technologies and proposes a model for educational activities based on their application. Drawing on an analysis of best pedagogical practices in general education schools in Kazakhstan, the author identifies the pedagogical conditions necessary to ensure the effective integration of information technologies in fulfilling the educational objectives of instruction. The article also presents the author’s methodology for enhancing the educational orientation of information technology use and reports the results of its practical implementation.