ICT Infrastructure and internet connectivity in educational institutions provides learners and teachers the opportunity of adopting 21st century teaching-learning methods that promotes the development of 21st century skills. The availability of internet connectivity in particular provides the platform for a shift from the use of teacher-centered pedagogy (content-based learning) to learner-centered pedagogy (inquiry and project-based learning) that is more interactive and activity oriented. But are teachers utilizing these facilities to advantage? This study investigates the use of ICT and internet resources in relation to the use of 21st century technology-based teaching-learning approaches in Malaysia and Asia Pacific context from a global perspective. Qualitative research approach was used for data collection and analysis in the study. Findings from the study show a unique unexpected changing pattern in the use of computer and internet among school teachers; and new challenges associated with the integration of ICT and the use of 21st century approaches in classroom pedagogical practices were identified. As observed in the study, despite the facilities provided; the technological competence acquired by teachers; and, the increasing use of computer and internet by teachers; the approach to teaching and learning has not change as desired.

Abstract

The influence of digital technology in society has made ICT literacy a basic requirement needed by all to survive the challenge of living in the 21 st. The education industry is now faced with the challenge of helping learners to acquire this literacy. Coping with this challenge requires breeding teachers' with high level of proficiency in ICT literacy and competence. This study investigates the readiness of Nigerian Colleges of Education toward breeding social studies teachers with ICT literacy and competence. It is an exploratory conceptual study that is literaturebased (document-based qualitative study approach). The study therefore explore literature to find out the benefit of ICT integration in social studies teacher education; the preparedness of Nigerian Colleges of Education for ICT integration; and the implications of the current state of technology integration on social studies objectives. Findings from this study indicated that, Colleges of education in Nigeria are not readily prepared for effective technology integration; much is still needed in terms of infrastructure and manpower development.

The institutionalisation of information technology in human society has necessitated the emergence of new educational goals and objectives. This study identifi es the emerging educational goal and objectives of the twenty-fi rst century and examines the challenging role of higher education in the information age. This article introduces four models that can guide and fast-track the integration of new knowledge domains in the curriculum structure and the development of new instructional and pedagogical designs in higher education to facilitate the attainment of the educational goal and objectives of the twenty-fi rst century. The article also introduces a structural model of providing the foundation needed for higher education in the twenty-fi rst century in the present information and technology-driven world of globalisation. Based on existing studies, this article considers the role of teacher education as being critical in addressing the various challenges associated with the transformational changes needed for higher education in the twenty-fi rst century.

Teachers' ICT literacy skills and competence is a crucial factor that determines the success and sustainability of integrating the use of web-based technology resources in educational practices. Thus, ensuring effective technology integration in teacher education is accorded a deserving attention in most countries. However, meaningful technology integration in teacher education would require on one hand 'the integration of technology in teacher education curriculum'; and, 'the integration of technology in teacher education pedagogical practices' on the other hand in addition to the need for teacher educators to model the use of technology in their practices. This study examines the effects of integrating web-based technology resources in teacher education pedagogical practices using the inquiry approach in line with the GPM model; and the effects of technology (web-based technology resources) in social studies teacher education curriculum in line with the TPACK theory. Three (3) groups quasi-experimental design involving 45 pre-service teachers was employed for the study. The study therefore investigate and compare the effect of three different interventions (ICT Integration) involving the use of Standard technology; web-resources and power point; and, web-based resources and smart board for groups 1, 2, and three respectively. The participants were selected from four colleges of education. One way ANOVA was used for data analysis. Finding from the study shows significant differences in performance between the research groups. Even though, the analysis of the results shows that all the treatments applied were effective, the use of web-based technology resources applied as treatment for groups 3 and 2 were more effective than the treatment applied for group 1. Keywords-teacher education; technology integration; web-based technology resources; smart board and inquiry approach.