The Effect of Using Smart Technology in the Education System in Saudi Arabia - Research Paper Example

THE EFFECT OF USING SMART TECHNOLOGY IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IN SAUDI ARABIA Education is important to any society and has to perform either the function of helping the younger generations in conforming to the current systems by instilling the existing logic or the function of helping people deal creatively and critically the realities of the world while aiding them in transforming their society. With the changing world and the advancement in technology, it is necessary to have an education system that enlightens and prepares its students for a technologically advanced society. Literature Review With education constantly being improved in Saudi Arabia since it formally became a nation in 1932, education has become a significant gauge of the strides in progress made by the nation economically. The education system is open to every Saudi citizen from primary to college. The improvements made in the sector are visible and apparent with the advancement of technology usage in teaching and which has in fact become a pillar in the progress made in the educational structure in Saudi Arabia. (Millson & Wilemon 2008). Technology brings about new modes of processing and accessing data and so the introduction of smart technology into the education structure in Saudi Arabia is seen as being able to help both the tutors and the student in the acceptance of the new modifications & the new information available due to these technological advancements (Nastate, 2006) Research Question Specifically in Saudi Arabia, does using smart technology such as blackboard, PowerPoints, smart board, and other technologies have a better impact on college students than using only textbooks? Independent variable: using smart technology and textbooks Dependent variable: college students’ educational achievement. Method The researcher will use ordinal scale to measure the dependent variable. In addition, to measure the educational achievement the researcher will consider improvement in the students’ performance and ability to learn better, which is highly influenced by the way of learning and the educational materials to teach the students. Moreover, he will use survey as the way to measure students’ educational achievement, and he will focus on the top universities in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, to select 30 participants of 600 for this study, he will consider several elements such as recommendations abilities, experiences, and grades. Those important elements play a significant role on specifying the appropriate participants for this study. Data collection This will be done on three fronts; 1. In-depth interviews which will require the researcher to interact with the different stakeholders i.e. students and teachers. This will help the researcher to contrast the differences between the two models of education systems 2. Observation; this will be done in a ‘stand aloof’ setting where the researcher will be merely looking at the ongoing classes and also in a participatory setting where the researcher will be an active participant as a student or an instructor. 3. Document review; this will be done by revision of questionnaires and watching recorded sessions Data Analysis Initial data analysis will involve inspection of the data’s quality and consistency. This will be completed by use of a bivariate association prototype. This will be tailed by use of the item response model which assess on singular variable e.g. an exam’s result from another variable e.g. class room response. Discussion The smart classes’ form of education is getting an unrelenting upsurge in its reputation since this form of education is impeccably adaptable to all sorts of learners. The classes are able to simplify the learning procedure for all types of students while encouraging communication between the tutor and his pupil, thus there is more involvement and interaction between both sides. Considering the deleterious side of this form of education, there exist few disadvantages when likened to the countless advantages it affords to both teachers and students. Technical errors that might come up in the course of a class lecture is a normal unease amongst those petitioning against smart technology in education despite the fact that benefits of smart education are never ending. (Al-Zoubi et al, 2013) Even though embracing such a new model might be a hard-hitting resolution for many, however the technology can generate a different opening for the education area. Although most of us passed through an education system that was ‘text book’ based, the schools that are currently using this form of education seem to be backward. This is because text books have somehow managed to alienate the teacher and the pupil prompting most schools and universities in Saudi Arabia to discourage this model of education. Some of the benefits of the text book model are that it is self instructing and the learner can conduct a firsthand research while digging up the knowledge on his own, however on the other hand the model discourages interaction between the teacher and the pupil. Smart technology being employed in the educational structure of Saudi Arabia affords the prospect for learners to study together and this is innovative in nature subsequently the students have the opportunity to express their understanding amongst their peers. The students can make learning advances through the method of learning in the existence of other students. (El-Sanabary, 1993). Smart technology facilitates the educational structure in Saudi Arabia to generate significant lessons. This can be made possible by including the physical world into the lecture theater atmosphere. This rapport makes the learning procedure cooperative and user friendly, therefore students understand the theories easily. (Karoly, 2010). The use of technology permits students to ask questions, determine, and work together with teachers as a result the opportunity to explore and study effectively. Within the framework of Saudi Arabia, smart technology provides the chance for students to instill lifelong concentration in studies. This can allow the educational structure to progress academic accomplishment in relation to the students in need of knowledge. (Hepbasli & Alsuhaibani, 2011). Educators also play a precarious role in reassuring students to take part in the learning procedure. This is conceivable through the establishment of opportunities to grasp the lesson products or resources. Satisfaction for learning is heightened through the application of the technology as it allows the students to view the procedure of knowledge generation and attainment as some fun to be enjoyed. The learning procedure is innovative, and has the capacity to identify instructions with the intention of supporting a variation of learning styles in enjoyable and appealing procedures. (El-Sanabary, 1993). The learning procedure is alike to fun settings whereby students interrelate with their teachers meritoriously and competently. This is imperative towards the understanding of the critical information from the between students and their educators. (Gogu & Turdean, 2012). The tutors and students cultivate important relationships thus crafting a virtual atmosphere to nurture learning development. It is advantageous for students to comprehend the essential aspects of information at early stages to encourage their improvement as they progress in the educational structure. Application of SMART technology affords the opportunity to guarantee that each student has an equivalent chance of prospect to students to increase their understanding on the ideas. (Alotaibi, 2013). The learners have the occasion to express themselves, intermingle with applicable learning undertakings, and perceive appropriate perceptions. The technology is vital towards altering of instruction that communicates to each student with the intention of creating sufficient atmosphere to accomplish academic and social objectives. In order to apply smart technology and ICT in education, it is vital to first recognize the specific reasons of that education and match the appropriate usage of such funds to the achievement of those reasons. The researcher summarizes the implementation of ICT in education courtesy of three approaches: 1. Knowledge about the computer with ICT mastery as the chief objective. 2. Knowledge by the computer, whereby this sort of technology establishes learning all through the curriculum. 3. Knowledge over the computer, integrating ICT into the program. Applying these approaches requires widespread professional improvement for teachers and agrees to the main tenacities of this research study. Noting its societal and economic consequences, the researcher proposes these sorts of methodology to using ICT: a) As conveyance: smart technology can increase the modus in which instructional procedures are conveyed without involving elementary modification. b) As the objective: Smart technology is the emphasis of knowing about new skills; for student indulgent: smart technology can sustenance students’ profound understanding of focusses, as groups of students take part in solving compound, real-world complications; bodily world to the classroom system. This is significant for the overall expansion of the students in extents such as understanding and academic development. (Tansel & Gungor, 1999) SMART Technology set-up also affords the opportunity for learners to enhance their range of pursuit of knowledge as a result the perfect set-up to progress effectively and competently. Conclusion The researcher is of the view that smart classes model provide an alternate model to the traditional text book model, which is more beneficial to students in this ‘computer age’. By the use of videos and presentations students get to understand better the material taught by visualization. However this model should not be employed in every topic of every discipline since it will compromise the imagination, visualization and application ability of the students. The researcher therefore recommends the use of this model only to certain limits, this limits can be explored in future projects as one can look into the different disciplines which readily accept this model and those which are structurally difficult in accepting the model. References Alotaibi, M, M. B. (2013).Determinants of Mobile Service Acceptance in Saudi Arabia: A Revised UTAUT Model, International Journal of E-Services and Mobile Applications (IJESMA), IGI Global, vol. 5(3), pages 43-61, July. Gogu, E., Muresan, M., & Turdean, M. (2012). Academic Excellence through Research and Development of Higher Education Institutions at Domestic and International Level, Romanian Statistical Review Supplement, Romanian Statistical Review, vol. 60(2), pages 135-140. Hepbasli, A. & Alsuhaibani, Z. (2011). A key review on present status and future directions of solar energy studies and applications in Saudi Arabia. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(9), pages 5021-5050. Al-Zoubi, S., Al-Faqeeh, M. & Rahman, M.B. E. (2013). An Evaluation of Special Education Program in Saudi Universities according To National Standards," International Journal of Asian Social Science, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 3(8), pages 1694-1703, August El-Sanabary, N. (1993).The education and contribution of women health care professionals in Saudi Arabia: The case of nursing, Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 37(11), pages 1331-1343. Karoly, L. A. (2010). The Role of Education in Preparing Graduates for the Labor Market in the GCC Countries, US: RAND Corporation Publications Department. Tansel, A. & Gungor, A.D. (1999). Schooling Investments and Gender Gap in Schooling in the MENA Countries: An International Perspective. Economic Research Forum, 1999, pp. 1-8. El-Sanabary, N. (1993). The education and contribution of women health care professionals in Saudi Arabia: The case of nursing, Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 37(11), pages 1331-1343. Nastase, F. (2006). Smart Card, Romania: Informatica Economica, vol. 0 (2), pages 43-48. Millson, M.R. & Wilemon, D. (2008). Technology Enabling Innovation in Online Graduate Management Education, International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management (IJITM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 5(04), pages 401- 421. Read More