Dissertation, Introduction - Assignment Example

Dissertation Topic- Sharing Resources via School Intranet Chapter Introduction In today's era of Information Technology the world is increasingly becoming networked, technical, and closer to each other. Over the years IT has led to revolutionizing the way business is conducted, education is imparted, we communicate, we socialize, illness is cured etc. IT has made its mark in almost all spheres of life; therefore preparing the children for a better tomorrow becomes all the more crucial. The Internet and its smaller version the intranet have proved to be particularly revolutionary. This type of networking enables access to vast quantities of up-to-date information, anywhere and at any time, and, being an interactive medium, it facilitates extremely rapid exchange of ideas and knowledge. Interaction is in essence the core of teaching and learning process. Therefore, when the teacher is there around us whenever we are in doubt, the process of learning becomes all the more interesting. Education is essentially about imparting information, knowledge and skills. Easy access and availability of books and other reference material makes the process of learning more flexible and helps the student community in carrying out the educational requirements. Similarly the school administration would also like to have an updated record of all its students and teachers, together with maintaining the databank of the progresses made by the students and the problems faced by the teachers or the students. There are also occasions when the school administration feels like communicating/ sharing some urgent matters with its staff, teachers and students. With the help of a networked community these tasks become all the more reliable and easier. Information Technology has therefore made the process of teaching and learning more interactive and interesting. Formal and non-formal education can be imparted in more effective manner with the help of a networked community as the intranet enables availability of learning tools outside school hours and even outside schools premises. i. Aims and Objectives This paper is an effort to explain the usage of information technology in imparting education in general and the changes that have taken place in the teaching learning process as a result of advancement in ICT field. With the availability of information and educational materials and tools anytime and anywhere, the networking has been enabling education to be more flexible. The idea of a lifelong learning can also be realized when one can have education even after leaving the formal school premises and pursuing one's career goals. During the study an effort would also be made to understand how the efficient management of an intranet can help the school administration in imparting education in best possible manner and how the usage of available resources can be optimized to broaden the advantages. For the students of today to become knowledge citizens and to prosper in the 21st century, it is a must that they are familiar with the day's technology and understand the principles and procedures of science, technology, IT, Business principles etc. Therefore in general the aims of this study are; a. To understand the intricacies involved in the use of ICT in imparting education and how such a venture would be managed within a large and complex organization having its operations spread over multi-location premises. b. To understand in detail the process of teaching and learning through an intranet and how such sharing of resources as a learning tool aids the process of learning and how such an online interactive venture leads to inductive thinking. The paper will therefore discuss the various technologies involved in the implementation of a school Intranet and how the different models of teaching and learning process are adapted to suit an online education. The process of learning involves an ability to acquire the knowledge and subsequent transformation into skills. The study will present findings of an analytical study based on opinions gathered from interviews on the subject, and a comprehensive literature review from reliable sources that can be used for school management decision making. Importantly, it will also touch on the teaching quality and professional development of teachers working in such an IT enabled environment. ii. Background of the Study I currently teach Design and Technology at a secondary school functioning on three separate campuses in Oxfordshire. The technology department is the third largest department, developing curriculum for 1,500 main school students and 500 Sixth Form students. The department has seen many changes in recent times. With the introduction of newer technological features and innovative ways of imparting education, the relations of student and teachers has undergone many changes. Due to team retirements there have been several changes to staffing and timetables within the technology department. These changes have highlighted apparent differences in teaching and learning resources on three sites, that staff must travel to and the effects on how teachers communicate or function within the department. This also highlights the role or influence of the organization in improving communication and the learning environment across three separate sites. The research question is therefore associated with sharing resources via a school Intranet, to improve teaching and learning strategies in an upper school, functioning on split locations. iii. Methodology and Research Limitations Research approaches and methods radically influence research content and, consequently, the policies designed in response to that content. Research philosophy is a belief about the way in which data about a phenomenon should be gathered, analysed and used. The term epistemology (what is known to be true) as opposed to doxology (what is believed to be true) encompasses the various philosophies of research approach. For this research to be able to achieve the desired outcomes, a comprehensive research methodology is to be chalked out, which includes; i. Carrying out a comprehensive literature review: During this process a number of books and research journals will provide informative data about the subject. The contemporary research journals, carry general articles and research papers from renowned scholars and other research students. ii. News reports in newspapers and current affairs magazines prove to be another important source of data for the study. Such reports provide the updated information and latest policy initiatives about the Information Technology and the education sector. iii. Surveys and interviews form another component of gathering crucial data and information about the subject. Though, it will prove to be an arduous task to interview students and educators spread over a wider geographical area, but the information presented in this paper is based on personal interviews, questionnaires and feedback that I have gathered over a period of time from my esteemed colleagues in the staff room, and departmental meetings on an 'action research approach' basis. As Cohen and Manion (1994) points out, "An important feature of action research is that the task is not finished when the project ends. The participants continue to review, evaluate and improve practice." An effort will be made to figure out the possibility of seeking some more interviews for making the study nearer to the actual situation. The present research question is based upon qualitative research which particularly lends itself to problem solving in a cyclic manner, because it involves a planned reaction to a problem, followed by feedback, evaluation, critical reflection and discussion, to redefine issues concerned with the sharing of information. Read More