ICT EMPOWERED TEACHER EDUCATORS: STRATEGY FOR CONSTRUCTIVIST LEARNING

Information and communication Technologies (ICTs) are a major factor in shaping the new global economy and producing rapid changes in society. In the present day there is a conscious shift towards approaches that lead to constructivist learning recognizing the use of information technologies. The role of teacher educator/teacher has changed and continues to change from being an instructor to a facilitator and creator of a learning situation. This leads to a challenging task among the teacher educators as they need training not only in computer literacy but also in the pedagogical application of those skills to improve teaching and learning for successful integration of ICTs into teacher education. The paper looks into the challenges and issues faced by teacher educators in the fullest utilization of information and communication technology. It focuses on the professional development of teacher educators in various contexts of infusing technology into the educational system. The paper closes with a suggestion for a planned strategy which gives priority to capacity building of teacher educators ensuring the appropriate, effective and sustainable integration of ICTs that empowers them not just to prepare well trained teachers to implement but also to lead educational innovations that will transform schools and ultimately, all of society. Key Words: Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), Constructivist Learning, Teacher Educator.