New Technology in Education - Essay Example

Technology in Education The era of globalization is most distinctively featured with the spread of Information Technology (IT). When IT is paving itsway into business, security, industry and even in agriculture, then can education be far behind in reaping the fruits of IT? The following paper throws light on the benefits of IT in spreading of education, in other words, the benefits of e learning (online education). People are often apprehensive regarding the use of technology in classrooms. They fear that children might lose their potential to relate to human beings and associate only with machines thus becoming technology dependent. Similar thoughts were also present when the invention of printing press, television came into the picture. However these forms of media proved to be of multi-utility to the human race. People gained access to unlimited information when media was improvised appropriately. The information gained through the Internet has been acting as an educative tool for students, researchers and lead the way to higher order thinking abilities. Different types of technology in Education: It is important to use the technology appropriately under proper guidance else students might spend the entire day in front of the computer adhering to obsolete techniques. Multimedia technology can be utilized in an effective manner such that children’s vision can be stimulated and drawn towards the knowledge base. Thus it is important to tap the power of the tools efficiently and to the best use of the students. Computers can be used to develop writing skills and instigate effective research in collaboration with foreign peers. Complex mathematical works are made simpler and faster to achieve. The use of technology can prove to be of great use to self-study and nourishment. Among the various types of technology used there are video content, digital moviemaking laptop computing and handheld technologies that are used in classrooms. Use of new technologies like podcasting (a digital media file or groups of files distributed over the internet and used for playback on portable media.) is also coming up. Different technologies have different types of content and hence serve various purposes in classrooms. Word processing and email systems promote communication skills besides database and spreadsheet programs, which teach organizational skills. Different software enables application of science and mathematical concepts. These technologies include simple tool-based applications and even online scientific and historical databases. Closed circuit television channels, handheld computers and even the cell phones are tools of learning. The primary form of education from computers can be described, in words of as discrete educational software (DES) programs. Some examples consist of integrated learning systems, computer based instructions and computer assisted instruction. These belong to the group of the most widespread applications of education technology in the schools of today and have been present in the classrooms even for quite a number of years. The educational media can be categorized into four heads – Media for inquiry: data modeling online access to databases, hypertext, online observatories and spreadsheets. Media for communication: email, graphics software, simulations, word processing. Media for construction: robotics, computer-aided design Media for expression: interactive radio, music composition, and animal software Use of SmartBoard A SmartBoard is an interactive whiteboard used as a means to connect to a laptop and personal computer. The teacher is enabled to display the computer screen on a large screen such that the students can see the lessons. (“Model Schools Workshop: Introduction to Smartboard”, 2007) Use of projectors is now common in the universities and colleges. This also makes the teachers’ job easier. SmartBoard is an effective virtual learning tool used for visual learners and visually impaired students. The Norland Middle School of Miami-Dade County, Florida has purchased many LCD projectors to be used by faculty and the staff. The district has supplied the school with computer laboratories in order to utilize computer software program named READ 180 and other programs. “THE WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY: The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida: Norland Middle School” Role of teachers and their response: According to the experts, many teachers are reluctant to use technology, mostly due to lack of time, resources, or confidence in their ability to use the available technology. According to teacher surveys nearly half the U.S. teachers apply technology in classroom instruction though the range of application differ from school to school. While in some schools the use of technology by the staff approach 100 percent in other schools it is almost absent. However, incidental evidence obtained from technology specialists of schools and education technology counterparts indicates that effective use of education technology is even less widespread than those surveys say. (“Encouraging Teacher Technology Use”, 2003) In order to provide incentive to the teachers in Kentucky each member including teachers, assistants, custodians and even the cafeteria staffs are assigned an email address. Daily news bulletins are received and the members are expected to read them everyday. Despite telephones communications are encouraged to happen via emails. In this process disturbances in the intercoms can be ruled out too. (“Critical Issue: Using Technology to Improve Student Achievement”, 2005) The servers maintained in the schools also offer another incentive especially that the shared server contains folders from each classroom individually. Any work done in the labs and classrooms can be saved and then easily accessed by the students, which makes life easier for them. The students can smoothly access the templates, hotlists and other information downloaded by the teachers. The teachers also apply Win School program in order to maintain information for student and use e-Class to conduct the attendance instead of manual registers. Computers prepare even the progress reports. The schools have a website where the regular information are provided such that the students, parents and members may access the site and get fast information and updates. The article “The Promise of Online Education: El Dorado or Fools Gold?” written by Graeme Wilson, highlights the fact that in recent years the use of Internet in public schools is at a height. The increased bandwidth and rate of data transfer have facilitated this growth. Not only the schools and colleges, but also each of the households has Internet connectivity in British Columbia. Even the corporate have come forward to embrace e learning in individuals, reflected through their selection process in human resource. Certainly, online education in corporate and public education has some fundamental differences. On one hand e learning for the corporate focus on some particular fields based on their business needs. On the other hand, public domains focus on online education in far broader perspectives. Their view is to provide a complete education to its students. “Large firms have very definite procedures and processes that must be learned by employees, creating a top-down educational structure… Computers are incredibly versatile and powerful learning tools, however they are just tools and should not be considered the primary vehicle for a child’s education” (Wilson, 2001) With the world becoming globalized rapidly, day by day information is increasing at a staggering rate. All the information have to be gathered, processed and evaluated in order to possess a proper understanding of today’s globalized world. However, all these developments with the advent of Internet cannot be accepted without ambiguity. For an e-learning process to be a sound and effective one, it has to comply with 9 standards. The standards are: 1. Efficient and effective accessibility to the information 2. Critical evaluation of the information 3. Effective and creative use of the information 4. Availability of information relevant to personal interests and well-being. 5. Some creative expressions for the information 6. A flavor of excellence 7. A true recognition of importance of information in society. 8. Implanting the seeds of ethical behavior in IT 9. An effective persuasion and generation of information. (Chandra Babu, 2007) Conclusion: The use of technology have not displaced staffs on the educational institutes, rather increased their responsibilities and skills. In the course of teaching the teachers are also gaining exposure to new dimensions of knowledge. Their work is made easier, faster and more interesting. Technology in education can only be successful in the backdrop of right guidance and efficient monitoring. Online education undoubtedly is a dormant volcano of huge potential but to use it in a more effective way, it will involve a proper segmentation of the needs. Public and private domain has separate interests in every sphere. Clubbing them as a whole in education especially the online education, will only lead to adverse effect on the whole system. Before pursuing a fully market oriented online education program, the background of a country has to be considered. The nation with higher per capita income may not have problem with such a framework but it will be detrimental to those belonging to the lower income group. Again, certain standards need to be fulfilled to deliver a timely effective online education system. If those standards are maintained then online education will be generally accepted. References: “Critical Issue: Using Technology to Improve Student Achievement”, (2005). North Central Regional Educational Library, retrieved on November 12, 2007 from: http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te800.htm#goal “Model Schools Workshop: Introduction to Smartboard”, (2007), retrieved on November 12, 2007 from: http://lhric.org/calendar_events.cfm?ListEvents=1&theyear=2007&themonth=4&cat=0&location=0&buildit=1&dir=&printpage=1&list=0.23344415209 “THE WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY: The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida: Norland Middle School”, retrieved on November 12, 2007 from: http://wwwnms.dade.k12.fl.us/!%20Newsletter/Garcia%20Newsletter%20Nov. “Encouraging Teacher Technology Use”, (2003). Retrieved on November 12, 2007 from: http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech159.shtml Babu, S.C., e -Learning Standards, retrieved on November 12, 2007 Wilson, G.,(2001) The Promise of Online Education: El Dorado or Fools Gold?, Retrieved on November 12, 2007 from: < http://www.fno.org/sept01/online.html > Read More