The Benefits of Information Technology in Education

The Benefits of Information Technology in Education The present era is an era of technology. Everywhere we are surrounded with technological devices and everyone is somehow familiar with technology. The foundation of all types of technology is laid down in educational institutions. The education in secondary level plays an essential role since it is responsible for the development of society. Therefore, secondary education can be made more effective by the use of technology and all resources made available through technology. This introduces us to the term Educational Technology. The word was recognised in 1967 with the establishment of National Council for Educational Technology in the United Kingdom.  [1]  N. Venkataiah in his book Educational Technology noted that For different reasons educational technology perhaps will perform support or enriching role relative to classroom teaching in college and University rather than serving a replacement for such instruction.  [2]  Every technology has its merits and limitations and no one technology is useful for all types of learning. 2.2 Benefits of using technology in the learning context We can talk of many benefits and criticism related to the use of technology in education. First we are going to deal with few advantages of making use of technology in the learning context. Technology in the learning process can increase students motivation. Computer based education can give immediate feedback to student and the right answers. Moreover a computer can give student motivation to continue learning, since a computer is patient and non-judgemental. According to James Kulik, who studies the effectiveness of computers used for leaning, students usually gain more in less time when receiving computer-based instructions and they build up more positive approach to the subject learned.  [3]  The American educator, Cassandra B. Whyte thought that successful academic performance in the future will depend on how computer usage and information technology would become important in the education experience of the future.  [4]   Educational technology provides the way for students to be active participants in their learning and to present differentiated questioning approaches. It expands individualized education and encourages the progress of personalized learning plans. Students are encouraged to use multimedia components and to integrate the knowledge they achieved in innovative ways.  [5]   2.3 Criticism to Learning Technology Although technology in the classroom does have many benefits, there are clear shortcomings as well. Not having proper training, limited access to enough quantities of a technology, and the additional time required for many running of technology are just a few reasons that technology is often not used widely in the classroom. Similar to learning a new task, special training is vital to ensure effectiveness when using things like technology. Training is a must when dealing with technology and education. Since technology is not the end goal of technology, but a means to be more effective in learning, educators must having a good grasp of the technology they can use or they are using and its advantages over the traditional means. If there is a lack of training, the use of technology will not give the all the good results that are given when technology is being used correctly. Another difficulty that which might arose when using technology for teaching/learning is the access to an enough amount of resources. Many teachers use technology by using a projector or screen, to show picture or videos, since there are not enough computers available for the students in order to be used by them and create or use it during the lesson. This also occurs when there is limited amount of access to technology because of high cost of technology and the fear of damages. There other cases when there the inconvenience of resources in such cases, such as having to transport the whole class to a computer lab or media room.  [6]   One of the disadvantages of using technology in education is that it is time consuming. Teachers had to prepare not only their lesson plans but had to prepare these resources using technology, which for teachers not familiar with technology can be a bit of headache. Another major issue which arise is that technology is too fast evolving. New resources have to be designed whenever the technological platform is changed. Changing for many times is not possible because of expenses and therefore there is the need to train teachers in order to know how to use new technologies.  [7]   But even there are all these disadvantages, one had to continue support the use of technology while investing in training of teachers, creating resources and made them available. 2.4 Technologies of information and their implementation in learning In this part we are going to deal with some of the technologies of information available that can be used in education. While observing their strengths and weaknesses, we are going to evaluate their implementation in the teaching/learning context. Interactive Whiteboard An interactive whiteboard is a large display connected to a projector and a laptop/computer. By using a pen, stylus or finger users can control what is seen on the display through these tools. So, by touching the screen one manages and controls the computer. Through a pen/stylus the user can calibrate the system if necessary, activate programs, buttons and menus found on the computer which is connected to the interactive whiteboard. If the user wants to enter text, can either make use of on-screen keyboard or else can utilize handwriting by using the pen/stylus. As technology and software programs are continuing to develop, there is an increase in interactivity, since interactive whiteboards are being supplied with software programs that provide all necessary tools and functions which can give the capacity to produce virtual edition of paper flipcharts with pen and highlighter options. Such softwares also include tools like protractors, rulers and compasses to make use of traditional teaching tools, since students are more familiar with and more available to use.  [8]   Interactive whiteboards are being used in many schools as a replacement for the traditional whiteboards or flipcharts or video/media systems. Interactive whiteboards can be used to connect to online shared annotations and drawing environments. The software helps teacher to keep electronic records of their note for later use. Also, teacher can record their instruction which they had done during the lesson on the interactive whiteboard, which can be saved as a digital video format and then can post this material for review and revision by the students. This is an advantage for the students to see a revision of what had been done in school, especially when something was not understood well, when they are absent or when they want to revise for examination. Some software programs used with interactive whiteboards allow also the recording of the teachers voice.  [9]   Obviously the main advantage of this technology is interactivity as the name reflects. Students also by the help of the teacher can make use of the interactive whiteboard during the lesson, to choose picture, drawing, write and more. Research by Glover and Miller on the impact of interactive whiteboards in secondary schools, shows that even interactive whiteboards are a technology more than a computer, their use in schools and by teachers reflects that their potential is unrealized. According to the authors of this research the use of interactive whiteboards by teachers is made in three ways: as an aid to efficiency, as an extension device, and as a transformative device.  [10]   Even if technology always is done for the benefit of humanity and to make life more easer, interactive whiteboards also were criticised by many for diverse reasons. According to the Washington Post article, published in June 11, 2010: Many academics question industry-backed studies linking improved test scores to their products. And some go further. They argue that the most ubiquitous device-of-the-future, the interactive whiteboard essentially a giant interactive computer screen that is usurping blackboards in classrooms across America locks teachers into a 19th-century lecture style of instruction counter to the more collaborative small-group models that many reformers favour.  [11]   The Londons Institute of Education in a report on the interactive whiteboards says that, Although the newness of the technology was initially welcomed by pupils any boost in motivation seems short-lived. Statistical analysis showed no impact on pupil performance in the first year in which departments were fully equipped.  [12]  The report also emphasize such issues such as the fact that teacher gives more importance to the innovative technology than on what scholars should be learning. It was noted that the focus on interactivity as a mechanical development can lead to everyday activities which were being overestimated and also that in lower-ability classes it would slow the pace of whole class learning since individual pupils took turns at the board.  [13]   Internet In many countries and homes, the Internet and the World Wide Web in particular can be considered as part of the household and as common household term. This is proven by amount of reference to internet in the daily life and the amount of time which people, especially those who are still studying in schools, spend surfing on the internet.  [14]  The popularity of internet had made it as an important tool in education both as a great resource and as tool in class. The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that are accessible to billions of users around the globe. It is a network of networks that is made up of so many networks which are private, public, academic, business and government use. The internet holds a vast range of information resources and services.  [15]   When for the first time teachers were introduced to the internet, there first reaction was about the tremendous educational potentials which exist on the internet. Internet was seen as an instrument to answer the learning needs of many students since it have vast amount of resources.  [16]   The use of internet adds something new, some real value, to teaching. The internet offers a tremendous way of communication between students themselves and with experts regarding the subject they are studying. Moreover students can join groups which discuss their favourite subject to continue enhance their information regarding that particular subject.  [17]   The internet can be a support when teacher using animation, pictures, maps, images and other resources. For example when studying the land in which Jesus lives, to which the student has never been, a virtual tour to some of the landmarks through the internet can make the lesson more attractive and interesting, since they are not only imagining what the teacher is saying about the Holy Land but also seeing how the Holy Land looks like. The use of internet is in contrast with the use of textbooks. Many of our textbooks can be considered outdated. The use of internet can gives us the opportunity to include current data in our lessons. On the other side the internet has also its weaknesses. Teaching involves human process that cannot be automated or manufactured. One important instrument of teaching is the human touch, which cannot be replaced. The extreme use of internet and computer lead to lacking of human touch when computer replace teachers.  [18]   Moreover there is no solid confirmation that computers develop positively students performance, since stories of success are isolated cases. This may result due to time needed for teachers to develop good applications to be used in classrooms. Even if the Internet improves learning, no one is yet to prove that the advantages of teaching using the Internet significantly outweigh the advantages of using other cheaper information media. Every new technology brings with it positive and negative impact. Nobody has taken time to analyze the negative impact of exposing children to the Internet may have on their social development.  [19]   Microsoft PowerPoint or other presentation software The use of PowerPoint during teaching has a significant amount of potentialities for encouraging more visual use and more proficient presentations, since one can put text, audio, videos, pictures, graphs and much more. PowerPoint is a widely used presentation programme which had originated in the business world but today had found also a very comfortable place in the world of teaching. The popularity of PowerPoint in educational technology stem directly from one of its famous features, that is, the ease of use, also by those who cannot be considered as experts on computer.  [20]   Good use of PowerPoint enhances the teaching and learning experience of both teachers and the students. This is continuously developing since the Microsoft Corporation which created PowerPoint is endlessly developing and adding more features to its software to make it more easy and professional look like, such as the integration of video clips and words at the same time and the use of the presenters view, in order for whom is doing the presentation to see what comes next or work with other programs at the same time. As well, the templates provided can help to make simple professional look of the presentation in order to be more effective and successful.  [21]   PowerPoint software also gives the accessibility to print what had been shown in the presentation in order for students to have a copy of the presentation shown during the lesson. Few are those disadvantages when using PowerPoint. An important element when using PowerPoint is the way how teachers should use it when they are making use of it in classrooms. Teacher should give attention to not have large amount of material on one slide which can make difficult for the students to comprehend what the teacher is actually doing in the lesson.  [22]   Video clip The use of video clips in education is developing very faster, since time has pass on static images and pictures. Today we are developing the idea of movement in pictures and in our presentations. The fact that video editing programs are now available for everyone to use on his personal computer, the trend that is developing is to create videos to enhance more the attention and motivation of the students. This developing is made easier through websites such as Youtube.com and Vimeo.com, where one can upload his videos while others can see and download for personal use. This innovative idea had created a planet of video resources which can be use for teaching. 2.5 Conclusion The use of these available technologies and others can make our teaching more effective and interesting. This use of old textbooks and methods of learning are a bit out of this world, since students are all surrounded by this new technologies which are developing very fast. This does not mean that we have to trash all old methods and textbooks but it is important to incorporate technology to make lessons more enjoyable, creative and effective.

Scarlet Letter :: essays research papers

The Scaffold: Where Truth Preaches   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the novel The Scarlet Letter, there are three occasions when the scaffold is used as a location of truth telling. The Scaffold is set apart in the middle of town, and upon it criminals are convicted. When the reader is first shown the scaffold in the novel, Hester is holding Pearl and she is being convicted of adultery, the second is when Dimmesdale goes upon the scaffold in the night and is joined by Hester and Pearl, and the third time is at the end when Dimmesdale, Hester, and Pearl all go up on the scaffold and Dimmesdale tells the towns people of his sin. Each time the scaffold comes into play, a little more of the truth is revealed to the reader and the people of the town.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the beginning of the book Hester Prynne is being convicted of adultery and is standing upon the scaffold with little Pearl in her arms. Chillingworth and Hester connect but Chillingworth’s identity is concealed and Dimmesdale is not known to be Hester’s lover. Hester is labeled with the scarlet letter for adultery and is basically shunned from society. In the first view of this scaffold, on Hester, is publicly marked with her sin while the other two are hidden.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As the book progresses Dimmesdale is being tortured by Chillingworth and is driven pretty much to insanity. At this point the minister is so overwhelmed with grief that he feels he deserves to die, and wants to die, but he keeps existing like he is driven by pure guilt. He finds it appropriate to go to the scaffold in the night and in a way confess his sins. While upon the scaffold Hester and Pearl see him and consequently join him. The three reminisce on the times and Pearl asks Dimmesdale if he will join them in town the next day with the promise that if he does, that she will tell him Chillingworth’s identity. When Dimmesdale refuses to join them, Pearl gets angry and doesn’t tell Chillingworth’s secret. Upon this second visit to the scaffold the reader is more clearly able to see Dimmesdale’s identity as Hester’s lover and the three of them along with their sins are exposed on the scaffold.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  At the end of the book Dimmesdale delivers the best sermon of his life then soon afterward goes up the scaffold with Hester and Pearl.

Marketing assignment Essay

The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company is very famous tire producer in North America now, which included race cars tires, truck tires, snow tires, heavy earth-mover tires and automobile tires. It was established in Akron, Ohio, in 1898 by Frank Seiberling, which had only thirteen employees. Moreover, David Hill who is the first president of the company because he purchased the stock of this company. Seiberling borrowed 3,500 dollars from his brother-in-law to purchase the company’s first factory, which is an abandoned factory in Akron. Therefore, Seiberling want to be a good leader to manage this factory. Based on The History of Goodyear Tires (n.d), â€Å"Seiberling then founded the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, naming his business venture after Charles Goodyear, who had discovered how to vulcanize rubber to make it harder, more durable and resistant to chemicals† (para.2). The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company first began to produce bicycle and carriage tires. According to The History of Goodyear Tires (n.d), â€Å"In the first month, Goodyear Tires did a little over $8,000 in business. The company came up with its famous winged-foot logo in the early part of the 20th century† (para.1). Furthermore, Goodyear Company began to produce automobile tires. Then the Goodyear Company build new factory, which is bigger than the first one. Forthemore, they began to led more people know them. Based on The History of Goodyear Company (n.d), â€Å"By 1901, Goodyear had begun to use its now-famous winged-foot logo in advertisements† (para.3). By the 10 years later, the Goodyear Company stared make tires for airplanes, and then as that time Goodyear Company began work for aviation. In 1916, Goodyear Company purchased a plant factory for produce zeppelin aircraft. During the World of War One, Goodyear Company got the order form from the United States  t o built nine zeppelin aircraft. Although, the Goodyear Company was not finish all of the zeppelin aircrafts in the 1917,the expanse for building zeppelin aircraft was hand down and help Goodyear during World of War Two. Otherwise, Goodyear Company also produced airships. According to Goodyear Zeppelin Company, â€Å"Goodyear also manufactured two airships, the Akron and the Macon, for the United States military during the early 1930s. During World War II, the company manufactured 104 airships for the military at its Akron facility† (para.2). Until now, the Goodyear Company still produces the zeppelin aircraft for advertising actions. It is sign for Goodyear Company all-round developing in the world, at this time the Goodyear Company is not only a tire and rubber company, but also become a magnate for rubber manufacture. Therefore, Goodyear Company becomes the third largest tires producer in the world now. In that company, they are very successful for many years that are about the product and place and price. For example, you can see the service in everywhere even in Halifax. That is why Place is very important factor to increase market share and sales quantity. One good place can help us sale more items. During the reach I noticed that people buy the product through the nearly the place. However the product is very famous around the world that is the company force. The good product will catch lots of customer. You can see the tires in the car. They are make lots of advertisement around the all TV shows. That why they sell the product like hot cake. However, they are service is more like the out of mouths. From the advertisement, we can clear know that that the company goal is the sale the tires around the world. For a long historic story from this company the band is the best famous advertisements. People believe in them, that their tires can very successful to sale very thing. Reference The History of Goodyear Tires, Lindell John, http://www.ehow.com/about_4672693_history-goodyear-tires.html Goodyear Zeppelin Company, http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=899

Film review romeo juliet Essays

Film review romeo juliet Essays Film review romeo juliet Essay Film review romeo juliet Essay Film review -Romeo and Juliet This is a review o a film we have seen recently. Its a classical love story written by Shakespeare. In this remake of the play we follow Leonardo Diaspora (Romeo) and Claire Danes Elite). Im going to reflect about the suicide in the end, and how it influences the plot and also how Shakespeare has chosen to convey teen love. What happened (very short summarize)? What happens in the end is that Romeo sees Juliet lying on the big bed surrounded by over a hundred candles. Obviously he thinks she is dead. He says that his life is tot worth living without her by his side. : So he drinks his poison and the same second as he swallows the poison Juliet wakes up. He mentioned this Just a second too late. After theyve kissed for the last time Romeo dies. Juliet takes up the gun that Romeo brought to the church and shoots herself in the head. Analysis: The end is what I thought was the most interesting part of the movie. Thats why Im going to explain and develop my thoughts about teen love. I do not think the suicidal impulse is a separate issue. I Just think its a way to convey the young love in a very throng way. If you compare to many other movies they convey young love in a different way, by a happy ending. The thing is that it doesnt give as much effect as it does in this movie. You get a much bigger sympathy for the actors and its also much easier to understand how strong their attraction to each other is. Many times teen love can be even stronger than love between adults. This is because adults may have been hurt a few times before and therefore know how it is to be heartbroken. This may cause that adults do fear to fall in love. In Robins song Indestructible she sings Im goanna love you like Vive never been hurt before. This is a very good quote which I think define, how I would describe teen love. Teens can fall in love very fast, and they can also proceed, because they have no limits how enamored they can get, and as I said, they may not know how it is to be hurt. This is what I think Shakespeare is trying (and also succeed) to convey to us readers. He put this feeling into words, he explains through the story how this young love is something that people, who has never been hurt before, can die for. And not to forget what this story is all about, forbidden love. This shows that young love is not Just something to die for. Both Romeo and Juliet are ready to deceive their families because of this. This meaner that Shakespeare seems to think that this young love is something to both deceive your family and die for, which I think is a very good explanation to make people understand this phenomenon. As you may have mentioned, I dont think that this is irrelevant to the plot. Id rather say that this is the plot. These are my thoughts and reflections of the newly produced film and worldwide known story about RomeoJuliet. film review Romeo Juliet By overoptimistic

War vs. Anti-war Response essays

War vs. Anti-war Response essays We all know the events of September 11th, 2001. We all know the pain of loss and the anger that was in us all. As many people, the President, parents, teachers, peers, have told us, it is how we react that matters. Do we as a nation try to coax the Taliban into giving up Osama bin Laden and other key members of his terrorist group al-Qaeda? Do we bring in our planes, tanks, and ground troops to take over Afghanistan and throw out the Taliban regime? Because the reaction we give is not just the reaction of President Bush, it is not just the reaction of our Congress; it is the reaction of our nation, every man woman and child. Negotiations with the Taliban on the exiling or giving up of Osama bin Laden were unsuccessful. The Taliban refused to extradite bin Laden and has steadfastly justified his methods of Jihad. President Bush has put together a coalition of nations to help the US fight its war on terrorism, which extends far beyond NATO. Even some of Afghanistans neighbors, Uzbekist an and China, and friends, Pakistan, have promised aid to the US. There is a disagreement, however, about how this war should be waged. Through non-military means, such as economic sanctions or negotiations, or through military means such as air strikes or all-out war. The divide over using military might or using more peaceful means is sharp but not even. The majority of Americans would approve of a manned war in Afghanistan. In a Time magazine article examining the rift in leftist thinkers on the issue of military response, it is shown that not all Democrats feel the same as those protesting any military action. Howard Zinn, a historian emeritus at Boston University, Todd Gitlin, a sociology professor at NYU, and Christopher Hitchens, a freelance journalist, are all Democrats, yet all are pro-military force in response to the terrorist attacks. This is not Vietnam, they say, ...

Learning Mathematics Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Learning Mathematics - Assignment Example important to provide students a platform to motivate them in going further with the subject and hence the pan balance experiment procedure has been proposed. The above procedure would definitely challenge, motivate and actively involve the students. Establishment of physical classroom environment to support the type of teaching has also been considered and the class would be undertaken in a computer lab and use of technology has been kept in mind with utilizing software to promote understanding. The students would be instructed to perform experiment on the software individually and in teams of two's and three's, the teacher would then visit each student/group and ask their conclusion, which would be then challenged, as the case may be, to bring about a better understanding. Finally, multiple assessment techniques would be utilized to monitor the student's performance and level of understanding these methods include observation, worksheets, experimental results, presentations by students etc. Assessment of the unit The unit will be assessed through a number of sources these would include the following: Observation of the instructor Worksheets Solutions to problems Experimental results tabulated Presentation of the students assignment which would be then graded by the Class LESSON 1 Concept of balancing equation using shapes Time Allotted: 2 periods (1.5 hours) Subject: Introducing Equality Grade/level: 6-7 The lecture described below belongs to the unit of essential algebraic concept and in this the student will balance shapes on the computer software to study equality, essential to understanding algebra. Corresponding relationships will be recognized when the pans balance, signifying the properties of equality. Objectives Students will: develop an...The above procedure would definitely challenge, motivate and actively involve the students. Establishment of physical classroom environment to support the type of teaching has also been considered and the class would be undertaken in a computer lab and use of technology has been kept in mind with utilizing software to promote understanding. The students would be instructed to perform experiment on the software individually and in teams of two's and three's, the teacher would then visit each student/group and ask their conclusion, which would be then challenged, as the case may be, to bring about a better understanding. Finally, multiple assessment techniques would be utilized to monitor the student's performance and level of understanding these methods include observation, worksheets, experimental results, presentations by students etc. The lecture described below belongs to the unit of essential algebraic concept and in this the student will balance shapes on the computer software to study equality, essential to understanding algebra. Corresponding relationships will be recognized when the pans balance, signifying the properties of equality. This lesson will develop algebraic perceptive through an easy study of equality.

Law victims and criminal justice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Law victims and criminal justice - Essay Example Although the courts serve as decentralised, semi-autonomous groupings of legal professionals, but that does not mean that victim support groups give up in confronting difficulties in predicting how they will follow a new law (Candace, 1993, p. 2). Victim support is criticised for it wishes to monopolise its' services provided to the nation. It is also said that this department is unable to tackle the problems of all of its victims (Duckett, 2003, p. 248). No doubt victim's expectations from the support departments and trial proceedings is to acquire justice while prosecuting and punishing offenders, but that does not mean that victim's sufferings should not be analysed in material form. Victims support organisations (VSO), groups and legal proceedings instead of claiming complete restitution for victim often seek justice alone. VSO does not consider reconciliation and mediation programs as alternatives to criminal punishment; therefore offenders' financial accounts are left untouched. VSOs does not support victim compensation programs, therefore victims who are ineligible for restitution through no fault of their own could be reimbursed at the same level, with their reimbursements paid from a pool of frees or restitution overages. VSOs go through the following processes while fighting for its' victim's justice. Methodological Issues: VSOs seeks evidence, including that from recorded crime, crime surveys, records of convicted offenders, accounts of emotional responses to crime, etc., on a socially constructed basis. Therefore what VSOs concentrate is the data on crime that reflects the way crime has been assembled and taken place. There is no concern about the improperly collected information that reveals the crime scene. However, the VSO team is criticized for working in the following way: Crime Scene Investigation: The VSO is quite popular in taking decisions whether or not to investigate the location of the criminal offense. In some 'incidents' VSOs are right in predicting that a crime has indeed been committed and it is a 'crime scene'. However, in many situations it is observed that VSOs fail to predict the seriousness of the crime and does not consider that one of the initial and primary tasks of the crime scene investigator is to determine whether or not a crime has been committed. In this context the blame must not be put on to VSOs alone as in many European countries including UK, National training centers only conduct short courses for creating Victim support officers and team. Resources, instead of basing on the complexity and seriousness of the alleged incident are dependant on their officers' decision. Crime scene is not analysed on the basis of its full potential. This is true as in many cases it is seen that the police, the field scientist, the laboratory scientist and the prosecutor instead of joining together to produce a set of facts that make it unreasonable to believe any conclusion other than the one the facts support, are giving individual facts. Therefore, the facts taken individually are not exposed to reasonable doubts, helpful in solving the crime.