In order to improve the educational system in India, measures need to be taken that track each student and provide a customized learning experience. In developing countries, factors such as low student and teacher attendance, instructors teaching to the top of the class, and different family backgrounds cause the education systems to fail to positively impact all students. Two potential solutions to these problems are to track students’ individual progress and to provide customized learning plans that cater to the needs of each student. By using computers in the classroom, teachers will be better equipped to track and teach to the level of each student and therefore benefit all students in the class.
Personalized Learning
As briefly mentioned,
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Students will be able to learn at their own pace and complete assignments that fit their level. Using the computers also provides teachers with a way of following the progress of each student, allowing teachers to see what needs to be emphasized more in class time and to help students with their unique challenges. Byproducts of computer use include teaching computer literacy, getting students excited about the material, and leveling the playing field for students of different backgrounds.
It is essential to acknowledge that computers alone will not make a difference in the education of each student, as the OLPC program showed. The computer itself does not provide a more personalized learning experience; it is how the computer is used that makes a difference. The article, “Education in Peru: Error Message” in The Economist highlighted that the OPLC program did an excellent job providing a computer for every student, but did not have a plan for their use. It is crucial that the delivery of the computers comes with the implementation of a program that enforces the use of the computers in an educational
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The first step in using a computerized learning system will be teaching the students how to use the laptops. The laptops will be introduced through fun activities and games that allow the children to learn how to navigate the devices and become accustomed to the software.
Each of the laptops will have the Mindspark learning software previously installed. Using this pre-existing program eliminates the need to develop or download anything on-site: the computers are ready to use on arrival.
Since there may not be enough laptops to provide each student with their own, students of similar levels may be asked to work together. Learning to collaborate is an essential part of a child’s education, so it would be advantageous to encourage the possibility of learning from peers.
Mindspark outlines a weekly learning plan that we will strive to follow. On the first day, topics will be introduced by the teachers, so as not to completely eliminate the use of teachers in the school setting. During the next school day, students will proceed to complete assignments on their computers that pertain to the
It is helpful to connect the learning to a student’s prior experience. Teachers also need to consider the role of technology in their classroom.
David Gelernter author of the essay, “Unplugged: The Myth of Computers in the Classroom,” used some rhetorical appeals but not many in his essay, whilst trying to logically persuade his audience that computers could be utilized in the classroom, but under certain stipulations. Gelernter has great credibility for speaking on education and technology, as he is a professor of computer science at Yale University, so he more than anyone should know the outcomes of using a computer as a tool while teaching. However, when it comes to technology a lot of older generations usually are pretty biased when discussing technologies advancements, Gelernter still had some very good points! Using computers while teaching our young children can be useful but with strict moderations; when, where, and why, because if not heavily monitored, computers could be extremely detrimental to the learning experience and processes for many students.
...also enhance the interest of the student. Using computers to do work will interest students because it is not the typical textbook and a tool used widely by students nationwide. As mentioned by Sylvia implementing group based projects or assignment increases the interest level of students. Collaboration allows students to interact with peers and creates a thriving atmosphere; social interaction is interesting. Group work encourages students to explore and decipher projects or assignments together. Rather than setting low expectations for students, a teacher could utilize tools that increased level of interest by understanding that interest is based on complexity and comprehensibility as shown by Sylvia, not simplicity and repetitiveness.
Michael J. Bugeja, director of the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University and author of“Facing the Facebook” in The Chronicle of Higher Education, states that the initial purpose of having access to the Internet in the classroom was to give students the opportunity to conduct research. However, this privilege is rapidly being used as a means for students to not pay attention during class. A poll was taken at Iowa State University where 20,247 out of the 25,741 enrollees were registered on Facebook (Bugeja 1). Social networking sites such as Facebook have had some negative effects in academia such as “institutions seeking to build enrollment learn that ‘technology’ rates higher than ‘rigor’ or ‘reputation’” (2), that there has been improper use of the freedom to use technology in the classroom, that employers and parents check Facebook to see what users have been doing, and that technology is an overall distraction in the classroom.
...ent of students” in small group work and can be used to enhance investigations and learning of concepts. Technology is an integral part of students’ everyday lives so incorporating computers will allow for students to be thoroughly engaged in activities. Technology also allows students to explore and express their understandings on a world wide platform via the internet, through information gathering, networking and publishing programs. (computer supported collaborative learning)
Image a school with laptops available to each student to complete their class notes, teachers who are able to help their students through the screens of their computer, children who are excited to learn about numbers with the help of cute, animated characters. With the endless advancement of today’s technology, schools across the world have begun integrating various technology into their curriculum. These devices have the potential to greatly impact students in their learning. When a school opts to use technology in a school setting, the most important factors they should take into consideration are the benefits of using technological devices, the effectiveness of technology used
For the teacher, computer technology can lead to more efficient time management in record keeping and developing lessons plans as well as the ease of conducting any kind of research and communication without having to leave the classroom.
Furthermore, the learning process is easily enhanced when technology is used. First, with Internet access in each classroom, it allows the teacher to access massive amounts of information in just a few seconds. This information can be given to the students in a clear, easy to read format as it is projected onto the screen. With such easy access to information, students are able to learn more in a smaller time span, while teachers are able to be more efficient in how they teach. This makes the education a person gets from their school more valuable for their money; and money is important as college costs continue to rise.
Technology has had a negative impact on education by causing distractions during class lectures and assignments. The over use of technology is leading to a loss in communication skills and troubles in reading. The use of technology causes many people to have the temptation for cheating in and out of classrooms, resulting in students not wanting to study. Not every student has the capability of connecting to the internet or have contact to technology. This creates difficulties for those students without connection to the internet to complete online assignments or have accesses to their school’s resources. Also, for online courses, students have to wait for an email response in order to get help or to understand a lecture that the professor is
Schools need to incorporate technology education into all areas of curriculum. Students need to be able to understand not only the how-to of computers, but they need to understand when to use it, where to use it, and why it should be used. Many students only have a basic working knowledge of computer...
As time goes by, advances in technology will provide more and more avenues for learning by way of the computer. The Internet has opened the doors of the world and unleashed limitless possibilities in research and education. It may be only a matter of time when the classroom is brought online to all children and attending a school classroom outside the home is a thing of the past. Looking back over the last 20 years, I never would have imagined that computers would come this far and impact our lives so much. Just imagine where they will be 20 years from now.
People have a lot of options in educating themselves online in today’s time and technology. Online education has improved a lot in the past twenty years. Even though it has had its setbacks, it continues to show promising results. Online education has many benefits with little to no disadvantages. It provides flexibility in scheduling and offers various options in educational online programs. In the past decade, education has evolved into a more technological-driven world.
Technology has many different effects on education, one of them being enhancing the students learning. Technology may enhance the students learning and may assist most students in achieving their academic standards. When technology and appropriate teaching methods are combined, technology may increase the academic achievement. Positive effects have been found in all major subject areas, from preschool to higher education, both regular and special needs students. Educational technology has been found to have a positive effect on a student’s attitude toward learning and on self-concepts. The introduction of technology into the learning environment has allowed the learning to be more student-centered, to encourage group learning, and helps to stimulate an increase in the student-teacher interaction. Technology has shown a shift from a focus on a student’s memorization to their problem solving. Through technology’s use, learning opportunities have become unrestricted by time or place, allowing lifelong learning. Student use of technology through communications can also help to enhance access to a career and continued education. Students are more likely to use a computer to get help because they can to it themselves. Technology is helping students to become independent.
students prefer technology because they believe that it makes learning more interesting and fun. They especially like laptops and tablets. Subjects that students deem challenging or boring can become more interesting with virtual lessons, through a video, or when using a tablet. Technology occupies an important place within students’ lives. When they are not in school, just about everything that they do is connected in some way to technology. By integrating technology into the classroom, teachers are changing the way they used to teach (lectures six hours a day) and providing students with the tools that will take them into the 21st century. One of the characteristics of the modern classroom is collaboration and technology helps to empower it. With classroom technology students can collaborate with other students and their teachers in and outside of the classroom quickly and easily.
One benefit of computers is that they help students with school work. Students are able to find things quicker for research papers, etc. Also it can be easier for students to type instead of writing out their essays. Students can get ideas from people through blogs and chat. ( Christine Zuchora - Walske 61)