My Journey towards Success as an ICT-Enabled STEM Student

    At first, I had no idea what ICT was. Anytime I hear the term “ICT”, computers immediately spring into my mind. I have no background in it and know nothing about it. I'm just as clueless as everyone else that is new to the field. When I entered STEM, that's when I realize how important math, science and technology are in our lives.  Personally, I enjoy learning about new technologies. I enjoy using technological devices, including laptops, smartphones, and PCs. When I was younger, I believed that these devices were just used for entertainment or games. But as I got older, particularly now that I'm in senior high school, I saw how crucial and useful ICT is.

    So now, what ICT-related experiences have I had in my life as a STEM student?

    Since we now have a subject called Practical Research, we use ICT to gain access to a wide range of online information and tools. This can contain research papers, scholarly articles, and multimedia tools that will educate us on the most recent breakthroughs in our profession or field. We will collect, organize, and analyze data in our research, which is crucial in subjects such as mathematics, statistics, and engineering, and ICT will be very useful in this. It plays an important role in education, particularly for us STEM students, and it is used in a variety of ways to enhance learning experiences. We are exposed to technology, which we utilize to construct simulations and virtual worlds that allow us to test hypotheses and investigate scientific phenomena in a safe and controlled context.

    ICT has played a pivotal role in enhancing my education in numerous ways. Even during my childhood, ICT had a significant impact on my learning, although I failed to fully grasp its influence at the time. The vast power of the internet can be awe-inspiring, but it also instills a sense of caution within me. I strive to navigate the internet responsibly, avoiding potential pitfalls such as spam or the risk of having my personal accounts compromised. (Allow me to share a brief story: I remember feeling deeply saddened when my brother's Facebook account was hacked, though in retrospect, it seems somewhat amusing.) It is important to acknowledge that one of the downsides of ICT is its potential for security and privacy threats, necessitating careful and mindful usage. Nevertheless, despite these drawbacks, ICT has undeniably provided me with tremendous assistance.

    It has significantly improved the efficiency of my learning process. It has relieved the burden on my peers, facilitated the sharing of information in a simplified manner, heightened my motivation as a student, and bolstered my IT literacy. I must admit, ICT has proven invaluable in my academic endeavors, thanks to the multitude of educational websites it offers. Various applications have been instrumental in solving math problems and helping me refine my grammar skills, ultimately leading to significant personal growth and expanded knowledge.

   

 We recently had a typing master test in our E-TECH class, and it was a lot of fun and interesting. I've been using computers since I was a child, so this type of activity comes naturally to me. My typing skills have greatly improved. I received a perfect score on our performance task, which made my heart smile. Through persistent practice and dedication, I was able to attain my highest score, showcasing the progress I have made.

    Due to the current heat index in the Philippines, we are returning to blended learning. DEPED made a wise choice for the students' health and safety. Actually, some students believe that this was a bad idea because we now have to complete our assignments from home. However, given that ICT exists to assist us in resolving issues of this nature, I believe it to be workable and manageable. ICT enables remote collaboration with our classmates and teachers through video conferencing, online discussion boards, and shared workspace. Our teachers will send us YouTube links for useful video lessons. Even though we're separated by distance, we can still learn.

    Overall, the integration of ICT has transformed the way STEM students like me engage in studying and working within the STEM disciplines. By leveraging digital tools and platforms, we are empowered to collaborate with our peers and access vast amounts of information, expanding our horizons and deepening our understanding of complex concepts and ideas. ICT has been an invaluable asset, offering immense support not only in my capacity as a STEM student but also as an ordinary individual navigating the complexities of the modern world. As Matt Mullenweg said, "Technology is best when it brings people together," and that is certainly true in our ICT-enabled STEM education.