Learning Strategies and Information Technology - Essay Example

How Learning Strategies Have Changed and May Continue to Change in Relation to the Application of Information Technology (IT) in Schools Introduction Application of information technology (IT) in schools has transformed learning strategies by improving the existing methods of teaching instructions. Information technology is capable of changing learning strategies in schools, improve performance as well as cut high costs that are incurred in most learning systems. Application of information technology has facilitated the development of new types of middle and high schools. These new types of schools make use of technology and also implement new methods in the way students are taught. Information technology makes changes in that it enables the emergence of new forms of pedagogy that aim at ensuring the needs of individual students are met through a process called mass customization. Information Technology (IT) is defined as devices and gadgets that ensure effective and efficient transfer of information (Kanjilal 1994, p1). Information technology also enables individuals to access huge amounts of information easily and faster (Kanjilal 1994, p1). Over the past years, advancements have occurred in the field of IT especially in the use of computers as well as communication technologies. IT is applied in all aspects of personal and professional life. IT has also had great influence in the field of education especially distance education. This essay will assess the teaching and learning strategies of teachers and students that have changed and may continue to change with the incorporation of Information Technology in schools.  In the past, traditional educational materials were used as the main teaching strategies by instructors. These practices came under wide scrutiny as there was a great concern from the public and government regarding the quality and adequacy of the traditional educational learning strategies (Fischer et. al, 2010 p 15). The public and the government emphasized on the importance of information technology to be incorporated in schools. The late 20th Century was a period of significant changes in the educational learning strategies (Fischer et. al, 2010 p 15). Information Technology had to be incorporated into learning strategies to ensure it develops a form that can meet demands of the modern age of information (Fischer et. al, 2010 p 15). It was realized that it was important for educational institutions to adopt information technology as an important educational component for them to survive in the ever changing society. Information technology would develop new platforms of education and would also change the ways through which students learn and access educational information. Information technology changed as there was a great need for high quality education that would enable students to gain important skills. Education at all levels was regarded as a vital component of sustaining strategies. Skills such as critical thinking, reflection, envisioning as well as building partnerships were believed to be very important as they would contribute towards a quality future (Kolderie and McDonald, 2009 p 1). Changes were therefore developed in the application of information technology to ensure high quality education is provided to students. The traditional learning strategies such as classroom instruction were seen to be inadequate to impart the important life skills to students. Information technology also changed due to the increasing need of exploring innovative learning strategies that would improve quality of education as well as provide a flexible learning environment which is better tailored to meet the needs of individual students (Kolderie and McDonald 2009, p 2). Changes in information technology have led to development of computers that have high speed and huge storage capacities. These changes have also ensured affordability of the communication technologies therefore ensuring they are available to a high number of individuals (Kolderie and McDonald 2009, p 12). These changes have promoted e- learning which encourage application of modern information technology. The main aim of e- learning education is to raise the educational level by providing learning opportunities to a many individuals, especially those who cannot access conventional education (Kanjilal 1994, p175). Information technology has made this possible by providing services of an on-line library that is well equipped and can be accessed. Information technology, therefore, plays important roles in e- learning by making information readily available and easily accessible to students (Kanjilal 1994, p175). Integration of IT with library services to e- learning promotes accessibility of information. Changes in the application of information technology have tremendous impacts in the instructional delivery and administrative processes of e- learning. E-learning aims towards improvement of assimilation of knowledge to a large mass of individuals (Kanjilal 1994, p175). IT makes this possible by allowing for easy access to large volumes of information (Kanjilal 1994, p176). Teacher and learner are usually in different distances in e- learning. This distance requires that they both have to be in continuous interaction in a way besides direct speech. Information technology is an ideal tool since it facilitates communication between the instructor and student. Information technology makes use of different interconnecting media to facilitate communication between students and instructors therefore making it possible for the instructor to convey the contents of the course work to the student (Kanjilal 1994, p176). Information technology can be used to deliver educational instructions and documents through teleconferencing, video graphic systems, computer- aided instruction as well as video and audio cassettes (Kanjilal, 1994 p 176). Information technology continues to change to achieve the objective of simplicity. These changes are brought about by the need to change leadership in learning institutions as it relates to strategic planning and the role of information technology (Fox1998, p4). The way in which learning institutions use technologies have to be reformed and this objective will be achieved by changing the information technology organization throughout infrastructure of learning institutions. Changes in information technology continue to emerge so as to support potential of the age of information in learning institutions. Complexities that have been recorded regarding the use of some new communication technologies have to change into simplicity (Fox1998, p4). Information technologies should be as simple as possible to enable a large number of individuals to use the technologies with ease (Fox1998, p4). Technology has to be simple for it to be embraced and dispensed into learning institutions. Information technology will be of no importance if the user cannot carry out important tasks such as communication (Fox, 1998 p 4). Conclusion Application of information technology in schools has changed the teaching and learning strategies of students and teachers. Traditional learning strategies such as classroom instructions were dropped and use of communication technologies to transfer information has been adapted in most schools. Changes in information technology have also made it possible to learn through e-learning. Communication between instructors and students has been made possible through use of information technology devices such as computer-aided instructions. Digital libraries also make it possible for students who school through e-learning to access large volumes of information. Information technology continues to change so that it can become simpler. Complexities in technology make use difficult for a number of individuals. Simplicity will ensure technology will be accepted into more learning institutions. Application of information technology can therefore raise personalization of learning strategies and still ensure labor costs are kept at a minimal. This will have positive impacts as it will motivate students and improve the education system. References Fischer, F, Kaplan, F, Siegl, K. M. and Zottmann, J. 2010, Classroom of the Future: Orchestrating Collaborative Spaces https://www.sensepublishers.com/files/9789460911040PR.pdf (Accessed 9 August, 2012) Fox, C. K. 1998, Information Technology in Higher Education: Evolving Learning Environments http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/CMR9823.pdf (Accessed 9 August, 2012) Kanjilal, U. 1994, Information Technology and Libraries in Distance Education: Present and Future Prospects for India http://cemca.org/disted/Kanjilal_Uma__0301.pdf (Accessed 9 August, 2012) Kolderie, T. and McDonald, T. 2009, How Information Technology can enable 21st Century Schools http://www.itif.org/files/Education_ITIF.pdf (Accessed 9 August, 2012) Read More