Information Technology in Education Domain - Literature review Example

Running Head: Role of IT in Education Computers Name: Institution: Date ROLE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION DOMAIN Executive summary Information technology usage seems to permeate more than never before almost all human interaction. Its presence has been associated with a wide range of changes particularly in education domain. Teaching and learning has significantly changed in most learning institutions in a bid to equip graduates with adequate skills to compete in today economy. This paper examined the role of information technology in education domain exploring some of the benefits that have been brought about by the new technology while also looking at existing challenges. Generally all the benefits revolve around the wide and interaction learning experience which has been made easier. the study revealed that despites its associated benefits, challenge(s) also loom; it is particularly expensive thus out of reach for many It is worth to not that the study was limited to formal education and not any other variation. Investment in information technology should continue since it would be cost effective in the long run. Introduction The use of information technology has turn out to be, over a short period of time, one of the most essential building blocks of contemporary world. In deed, it is very common in the contemporary society and seems to permeate almost all forms of human interaction. In particular, Information technology has been seen to contribute significant in the learning process. It has not only benefited education but also continue to shape the way the field develops. Many countries now regard understanding information technology and mastering its basic skills and concepts as part of the core of education, alongside reading, writing and numeracy (Idowu, et al. 2003). Even though information technology continues to gain more ground in education sector, there are still major concerns and myriad questions that need to be examined keenly to correct associated misconceptions and myths related to it. For instance, is the use of information technology really and effective approach to learning? What are the merits and demerits of information technology in education? These and other questions must run across our minds. These questions act as a momentum for this paper. This study is limited the roles of information technology in education domain; it has also restricted itself to the educational process in institutions of learning for instance schools, colleges and universities. First, paper starts by reviewing and giving definitions and of key concepts, information technology and education. Secondly it will discuss the role of information technology by providing an overview of its associated advantages and disadvantages and finally it will present conclusion and recommendation for good practice with respect to the use of information technology in education. Definition of key concepts Education The term education elicits different meanings to different people. In most cases, it is seen as both a “discipline” like any other but also as a “process” and all these are simply directed towards a meaningful change in an individual. As a discipline, education is that branch of knowledge, which is concerned with preparing the young in the society when they get old or come of age. On the other hand, as a process, it entails events or stages seeking to change the learners’ behavior (Nwachukwu Prince Ololube, 2006). Generally, behaviorist view education as the process of transforming the learners’ behavioural patterns including his or her thinking, feelings and even his or her overt actions (Hergenhahn & Olson, 1997). In simple terms, education can be seen as a process by which society intentionally transmit its cultural heritage though various channels like schools, colleges, universities and others. Information technology For the purpose of this paper the term Information Technologies entail technologies in which the computer plays a central role including all Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL), the use of mobile devices, the Internet, and a variety of generic computer applications as well as multimedia. Role of Information technology in education With the increasing use of information technology, it becomes apparent and more important for all stakeholders in education including educators or teachers, students and parents to understand the role of information technology in education today. It is not only a discipline in itself just like education, but can be applied to any subject to facilitate and enhance the student’s learning experience and thus, equipping them to join an increasingly global workforce. The significant roles played by information technology in education range from accessibility to information sources, organization, increase understanding and literacy, opening doors for new ventures among others. Accessibility and immediacy to knowledge Information is very key in learning has revealed in Babakisi T. Fidzani(1995) paper, where it is argued that access and use of information should be part of all students' . Thanks to information technology where inaccessibility to information is gradually becoming a thin of the past. The modern technologies are breaking down boundaries and obstacles at a higher rate than is likely in physical terms. Access to educational sources has been particularly facilitated by online learning via the internet, which has enabled access to learning experiences that are rich and interactive as well as other mobile devices that utilize related information technology giving students more sources of information, which makes learning nearly anything more accessible. By connecting to the information and people on the Internet, students can collaborate with their peers both in the classroom and around the world, leading to a more interactive and rich learning experience. According to Kyong-Jee Kim and Curtis J. Bonk (2006) information technology, particularly the use of blogs has significantly enhanced student collaboration and reflection. Apart from the students, teachers and instructors can also have access to information sources. In addition, they can equally share their ideas and course materials more readily with each other across the global borders. Again, through video conferencing, tutorials and lectures can happen in spite of of proximity. For instance, a classroom filled by students can take part in a lecture from a distant location whereas it's really happening giving greater accessibility to leaders of academia pertaining to their subject matter and in so doing can benefit both education and society as a whole As a result of this collaborative benefit of information technology, the two scholars, Kyong-Jee Kim and Curtis J. Bonk (2006) have observed that there are countless efforts today, sought to integrate emerging Internet technologies into the teaching and learning process particularly in higher education. Information technology has offered immediacy to education. It can be seen that in the era of this technology, computers and internet, the rate of teaching is very quick and one can learn at anyplace and at any time. Team building and leadership skills Team building and leadership skills are very vital traits that need to be nurtured among student and teachers alike. The interaction and collaboration brought about by information technology have widened the spectrum of learning while also offering flexibility and opportunities for community building among students (James L. Morrison , 1999). In addition, students are also able to capitalize on one another’s resources and skills for instance evaluating one another’s ideas, monitoring one another’s work, among other things. With collaborative effect brought about by information technology, lecturers authorized to plan coursework for groups of students working collectively and, in so doing, nurture a cooperation ethos preparing them for the place of work. Along the same line, it also possible to achieve the principles of academic traditions of freely and openly sharing and extending knowledge. Again, increased access and availability of resources also facilitate both formal and informal learning sometimes at a reduced cost hence increasing participation in both local and global content Niamh Brannigan (2010) in his work, enhancing leadership, has argued very strongly for benefits brought about by information technology and its associated effect. He says that this can be used to bring educational leadership out of isolation in the case of principals and can also be used to cultivate distributed leadership Literacy and understanding Many scholars have agreed that Information technology has played a major role in education through enhancing student’s understanding (Christine Geith & Karen Vignare, 2000; Idowu, et al. 2003; Niamh Brannigan, 2010). By means of multimedia programmes and interactive software, educators can enhance literacy and understanding in all fields of study. For instance, students can able to see their art work come to life in a 3-Dimentional video and multimedia presentation. Teaching by use of audio and video elements that directly involve learners can get to more kinds of students in comparison with usual teaching methods, cheering more learners to take part in class and raising their level of understanding. In addition, multimedia presentations can help students use all of their senses to delve into a specific topic and understand it in a deeper way. Closely related students understanding, is the presentation of facts which information technology for instance the use of PowerPoint has facilitated understanding. Facts are facts; however in the traditional model (absence of Information technology) they have often not been presented in a manner that is easy for students to comprehend. Unlike using the traditional way of teaching, facts presented through information technology are more easier to understand, for instance, when a student sees a definition on a power point presentation, sees the visual representation of the definition on a video screen, and then hears audio of someone telling the same fact or definition, he or she is more likely to pick up on the information and remember it clearly. Also, through multimedia, educators and students are able to organize, present and consume information or facts in novel ways. For example, teachers can create a tailor-made presentation pertaining to any subject matter involving a complete audio-visual narrative experience (Mark Ferris and Don Hardway, 1994). According to Tondeur, J., et al., (2008) with multimedia approach to education, more information can be taken in or retained if it is received simultaneously in two modalities for instance, vision and hearing, as opposed to only in a single modality. Besides, studying is improved when material is planned and that organization is apparent to the learner. Organization of education information and teaching materials Information technology has also facilitated organization in education domain. Digital ink for instance, is a major advance in information technology which has really made it easy for teachers and students alike to organize and do their work more effortlessly. With the modern technology, educators can store marks and homework details on-line, instead of using paper grade-book. Learners are able to search information anywhere as long as they are connected to the internet in libraries with a digital database in place of a conventional card catalog. Digital filing system enables staff members to locate and send transcript details and other files faster hence saving time and paper. This can act save the educators cash whereas making it less difficult for department and learners to finish responsibilities. Again, Digital learning objects (DLOs) have shown how technological progress can have a deep effect on teaching; in employing them, learners employ information technologies to put together knowledge and to converse with others. On the other hand, teachers use DLOs to meet curriculum requirements and tackle conflicting learning capacities among their learners. These objects allow learners, both in person and cooperatively, to work together with intricate content and thoughts. For example, learners can influence and conduct test with variables, conduct simulations, plan and distribute storyboards, arrange exhibitions with valid artifacts, and discover latest models in game systems. Digital learning objects dare learners to inquiry, explore study, synthesize, address problem, come up with decisions, and reflect on their studies. Also, learners are able to work at their own speed and can give scaffold learning assignments that provide immediate response on performance and learning in a variety of supportive and engaging ways (Roblyer, Margaret D. 2005). Creation of community within education Information Technology can also enhance the opportunities for communication and community within education domain. Things like E-mail, chat, mailing lists, and online discussion groups encourage voices and perspectives that may not emerge in the classroom in the traditional model of educational approach. In addition, the Internet is able to expand opportunities for students and faculty to create a community. Students for instance can use e-mail to send direct questions to the authors of materials they read in class. Likewise, faculty and the teaching staff can develop and maintain professional relationships with colleagues in the global arena (James L. Morrison , 1999). Information Technology Opens New Doors in the education domain In addition to offering new kinds of learning experience, community among others, the use of information technology for instance, the internet has facilitated access to new educational opportunities for new types of students and new kinds of institutional clientele (James L. Morrison , 1999; Christine Geith & Karen Vignare, 2008). As learners are exposed to new technology, they discover that there are more doors opportunity to them with every new moment. According to the two scholars, Christine Geith & Karen Vignare, information technology has opened the doors for better distance learning programs, while allowing those in disadvantaged areas to have access to the same education as the privileged since this new technology can make information accessible from nearly any location with a mobile device or laptop and courses or programmes can be more flexible, meaning those with full schedules who may not have the time or opportunity to further their education can choose to enroll in courses on-line and complete assignments on their own time. Disadvantages or challenges on the use of Information technology in education Despite the fact that information technology continue to affect most of our lives today, making an ever-increasing impact on all aspects of cognition, education and training, from primary to tertiary and other institutions of higher learning as well as in the growing open and distance learning environment, evidence indicate that here exist myriad of challenges especially in education domain. To start, information technology is relatively and expensive venture particularly for most developing world and therefore might affect the pace towards universal education. May would scholars have generally agreed that it cost money and sometimes might be out of reach for many nations (Niamh Brannigan, 2010; Christine Geith & Karen Vignare, 2008; Idowu, et al. 2003). According to James L. Morrison , (1999) most campuses and other learning institutions may not have a financial plan to address recurring information technology cost for instance, too much of the replacement funding for aging equipment and software. In light of this it becomes a relatively expensive venture. Conclusion This paper aimed at presenting and examining the role of information technology exploring all the sides to it. It is very clear from the foregoing discussions, that there are more advantages or strengths as opposed to disadvantages. Information technology thus has a vital role to play in education domain. The evidence does document so a variety of benefits: accessibility, great better understanding, collaborative effects, community and team building skills among others. The issue of money should not be an issue because investing in the technology would be more cost effective in the long run and thus, considering all these important roles of information technology in education domain and the global economy, we in academia would be foolish to reduce all investment in Information Technology based learning resources and associated infrastructure. References Babakisi T. Fidzani (1995). User Education in Academic Libraries a study of Trends and Developments in Southern Africa61st IFLA General Conference - Conference Proceedings - August 20-25, 1999 in Christine Geith & Karen Vignare (2008) Access to education with online learning and open educational resources: can they close the gap, journal of Asynchronous learning networks Vol. 12(1) Feb, 2008 Christine Geith & Karen Vignare (2008). Access to education with online learning and open educational resources: can they close the gap, journal of Asynchronous learning networks Vol. 12(1) Feb, 2008 Hergenhahn, B. R., & Olson, M. H. (1997). An Introduction to Theories of Learning (5th ed.). Idowu, et al. (2003) Information and Communication Technology in Nigeria: The Health Sector Experience Journal of Information Technology Impact Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 69-76, 2003 James L. Morrison (1999). The Role of Technology in Education Today and Tomorrow: An Interview with Kenneth Green, Part II Horizon, 1999, 7(1), 2-5.  Kyong-Jee Kim and Curtis J. Bonk (2006). The Future of Online Teaching and Learning in Higher Education: The Survey EDUCAUSE Quarterly (EQ) Vol. 29 Margaret D. (2005). Educational Technology Research That Makes a Difference: Series Introduction. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education 5 (2). 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