In educational context, ICT has the potential to
increase access to education and improve its relevance and quality. Tinio
(2002) asserted that ICT has a tremendous impact on education in terms of
acquisition and absorption of
knowledge to both teachers and students through the
promotion of:
v Active learning: ICT tools help for the
calculation and analysis of information obtained for examination and also
students' performance report are all being computerized and made easily
available for inquiry. In
contrast to memorization-based or rote learning,
ICT promotes learner engagement as learners choose what to learn at their own
pace and work on real life situations' problems.
v Collaborative and Cooperative learning: ICT encourages
interaction and cooperation among students, teachers regardless of distance
which is
between them. It also provides students the chance
to work with people from different cultures and working together in groups,
hence help students to enhance their communicative skills as well as their
global
awareness. Researchers have found that typically
the use of ICT leads to more cooperation among learners within and beyond
school and there exists a more interactive relationship between students and
teachers
(Grégoire et al., 1996). "Collaboration is a
philosophy of interaction and personal lifestyle where individuals are
responsible for their actions, including learning and respect the abilities and
contributions of their peers."
(Panitz, 1996).
v Creative Learning: ICT promotes the manipulation
of existing information and to create one's own knowledge to produce a tangible
product or a given
instructional purpose.
v Integrative learning: ICT promotes an integrative approach
to teaching and learning, by eliminating the synthetic separation between
theory and practice unlike in the traditional classroom where emphasis encloses
just a particular aspect.
v Evaluative learning: Use of ICT for learning is student-cantered
and provides useful feedback through various interactive features. ICT allow
students to discover and learn through new ways of teaching and learning which
are sustained by constructivist theories of learning rather than students do
memorization and rote learning. Positive impact
1. Enhanced Teaching and Learning: v Technological developments like digital cameras, projectors,
mind training software, computers, Power
point presentations, 3D visualization tools; all
these have become great sources for teachers to help students grasp a concept
easily.
v It has to be understood that visual explanation of
concepts makes learning fun and enjoyable for students. They’re able to
participate more in the classroom and even teachers get a chance to make their
classes more interactive and interesting.
2. Globalization: v When school in different parts of the state, students can “meet” their
counterparts through video conferencing without leaving the classroom. v Some sites, such as www.glovico.com are used to
help
students learn foreign languages online by pairing
a
group of students with a teacher from another
country.
3. No Geographical Limitations: v With the introduction of online degree programs
there is hardly any need of being present physically in the classroom. Even
several foreign universities have started online degree courses that student
can join. v Distance learning and online education have become
very important part of the education system now a day. Negative impact
1. Declining Writing Skills: v Due to the excessive usage of online chatting and shortcuts,
the writing skills of today’s young generation have declined quite
tremendously. v These days, children are relying more and more on
digital communication that they have totally forgot
about improving their writing skills. v They don’t know the spelling of different words, how to use grammar
properly or how to do cursive writing.
2. Increasing Incidents of Cheating: v Technological developments like graphical
calculators, high tech watches, mini cameras and similar equipment have become
great sources to cheat in exams. v It is easier for students to write formulas and notes on graphing
calculators, with least chances of being caught.
3. Lack of Focus: v SMS or text messaging has become a favorite pastime of many students.
Students are seen playing with their cell phone, iPhones day and night or
driving and very often even between lectures. v Being ever connected to the online world has resulted in lack of focus
and concentration in academics and to some extent, even in sports and extracurricular
activities.
Advantages
v It makes students more excited to learn.
v Help students with busy schedules, freedom to work
at home on their own time.
v Train students to learn new technology skills they
can use later in the work place.
v Decrease paper and photocopying costs, promoting concept
of “green revolution”. Disadvantages
v Many experts and experienced people say that, due
to such technology in education, students’ imagination is affected, their
thinking ability is reduced.
v Sometime it’s also time-consuming from teacher’s point
of view.
v It is costly to install such technology.
v There can be health issues too when used over
limit.
v Some students can’t afford modern computer technologies.
Conclusion
Technology has a positive impact on education and
at the same time may also pose negative effects. Teachers and students should
take advantage of this in the good light and eliminate the drawbacks which are
pulling back many of students as well as schools from achieving excellence. It
is thus time for every country to introduce a more technologically equipped
education sector in the future.
