THE INTEGRATION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES (ICT) IN RUSSIAN

Nowadays, technological developments are very rapid. The use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) is necessary in all aspects of economic and social sphere of the Russian Federation. It is simply impossible to imagine our life without computers or other essential tools.

One of the most commonly cited reasons for using  ICTs  in  the  classroom  has been  to  better  prepare  the  current  generation  of  students  for  a workplace where ICTs, particularly computers, the Internet and related technologies, are becoming more and more ubiquitous. Technological literacy, or the ability to use  ICTs  effectively  and  efficiently, is  thus  seen  as  representing  a  competitive  edge  in  an  increasingly  globalizing  job  market. Technological literacy, however, is not the only skill well-paying jobs in the new global economy will require.

It should be mentioned that ICTs play a very important role in changing the field of modern Russian  education, too. In educational sphere  ICTs  refer to teaching and learning the subject matter that needs understanding the functions and effective use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). The main purpose of ICT in education means implementing of ICT  equipment  and  tools  in  teaching  and  learning  process  as  a  media  and methodology. The purpose of ICT in education is generally to familiarize students with the use and workings of computers.

In education ICTs are broadly categorized in the following ways:

- as a subject (i.e., computer studies);

- as a tool to support traditional subjects (i.e., computer-based learning, presentation, research);

- as an administrative tool (i.e., education management information systems/EMIS);

- as a medium of knowledge exchange.

The mentioned above categories are necessary for contemporary Russian education, too. Teachers and tutors use ICTs as a tool to support traditional subjects. The most important thing  is  the  need  to  integrate  information  and  communication  technologies  or  ICTs  meaningfully  throughout  all academic subjects or disciplines in educational institutions of Russia.

Today a great variety of ICTs such as educational programmes, multimedia presentations, web, networking and  other  recourses  are  widely  used  in educational institutions. It almost goes without saying that the Web provides extensive links to information on ICTs in education.

The potential of each technology varies according to how it is used. It is identified at  least  five  levels  of  technology  use in  education: presentation, demonstration, drill and practice, interaction, and collaboration. Each of the  different  ICTs—print,  audio/video  cassettes, radio  and  TV  broadcasts, computers or the Internet—may be used for presentation and demonstration, the most basic of the five levels. Except for video technologies, drill and practice may likewise be performed using the whole range of technologies. On the other hand, networked computers  and  the  Internet  are  the  ICTs that enable interactive and collaborative learning best; their full potential as  educational  tools  will  remain  unrealized  if  they  are  used  merely  for presentation or demonstration.

As for students, they are generally interested  in  practical  appliance  of these  technologies  and  even  take  the  initiative  in  doing  something  new. Technological literacy is required for learning with  technologies  to  be  possible, implying a two-step  process  in  which  students  learn   about   the technologies before they can actually use them to learn.