Using Technology for Research and Learning in the Field of Education
In the last decade technology has expanded greatly. Now, we can order movie tickets, make reservations, and even listen to music without ever leaving the comfort of our own homes. But technology tools are not only used for entertainment purposes. These tools also help us learn and explore new things. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of technology tools as they apply to learning and research within education.
Tools for Teaching and Learning
The computer is a very important tool used in education. “During the past three decades, computers have become the most talked about, written about, and ubiquitous machines ever to be imposed upon mankind.”( Rockart, 1995, p. 55). The ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator) is said to be the first computer. It was a “huge machine having thousands of vacuum tubes and consuming vast amounts of electrical power.” ( Merrill, 1996, p.54). By the early 1970’s, the regular computer was invented. Around the same time, something called the Internet emerged. The Internet is a worldwide network. It connects LAN’s, WAN’s, and other regional networks from all over the world together into one global network. Recently, the Internet has become very popular. It was predicted in 1996 that by the year 2000, most universities and many homes would have Internet connections. (Merrill, 1996). This prediction was correct. By linking a computer to the Internet, one can gain access to a wide variety of additional resources and services. One can send e-mail, access electronic boards, and obtain a huge amount of information from different databases. Using e-mail greatly benefits students. With access t...
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In 1990 the World Wide Web was invented, creating a new and never before seen information outlet. Along with the creation of the World Wide Web came the simple to use, never ending access to information. This created a new way for educators and students to achieve information. Now students, instead of researching through books and news articles, and reading the entirety of the literary work, students are able to use a computer, and type in the keywords for the subject they wished to know about.
Computers have been instrumental in improving the quality of life for many people all over the world. Computers have enhanced education to make teaching and learning more productive. Such a technology has given people more opportunities for gathering information and developing education in all subjects like English, science, math, history, and the arts. People like myself have benefited from the variety of programs that the computer has brought in this century such as writing and office programs, encyclopedias, the Internet, email, and online communities. In the century we live in today, the computer is not only considered to be an important tool, but a necessity in a business oriented society. Computers have also been and continue to be a productive tool, especially in the world of education.
Our schools have progressed tremendously in the past century.In fact, in the past three decades, we have seen much progression with the use of computers in the classroom.We have gone from one room school houses with one teacher teaching many grades, to schools that may be two stories high or more with many teachers for each grade.More students are in school in today’s society than there...
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As technology continues to improve, the Internet grows in importance as a tool for students’ research papers. In David Rothenberg’s article, “How the Web Destroys Student Research Papers,” he said he “noticed a disturbing decline in both the quality of the writing and the originality of the thoughts expressed” when he compared the second semester to the first semester. As a student, I recently did some research of my own. I used primarily the Web to research the School of the Americas (SOA) to learn more about the SOA and arguments presented against it.
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Some say that technology is a distraction and hinders the students from fully learning and developing important skills that they claim only the interactions with the teacher can provide. Teachers have said that technology is a powerful tool that allows them to introduce and demonstrate learning activities in a completely new way. It has been studied and proven that most kids are more motivated and interested in the concepts they are supposed to learn when the teaching tool of technology is used. A fifth grade teacher stated, “Technology is the ultimate carrot for students. It's somet...
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In conclusion, the introduction of computers and the internet in the classroom has enhanced students' lives and impacted learning positively through improved learning and research experience. Computers have affected the delivery of education and enabled a wider access to it as well. Furthermore, they have increased flexibility, breaking the geographical barriers in education and enabled students to access education anywhere and at any time. This has offered new possibilities for learners and impacted on education performance and success significantly. The internet has created a vast source of information, which can be shared to foster student's achievements.
Technology properly used in the classroom has many advantages to a student’s learning. Technology can help students become more involved in their own learning process, which is not seen in the traditional classroom. It allows them to master basic skills at their own rate rather than being left behind. Teachers and students alike can connect to real life situations by using technology in the classroom; this can also help to prepare students for real world situations. Technology can be used to motivate students as well as to offer more challenging opportunities. It can also be used as a visualization tool to keep students interested in the subject that is being taught. When technology is used effectively, students have the opportunity to develop skills that they may not get without the use of technology (Cleaver, 2011). Assessing and monitoring students is easier on the teacher because of the ability to use technology in the classroom. When technology is used correctly it offers limitless resources to a classroom atmosphere.
It seems that persons presently in the workforce and those students who are now graduating college know less about the computer, its functions and the internet when compared to the younger generation. These days the children in elementary, middle and high school have more access to the computer and the internet than we did when we were younger. The internet has become the modern way of communication and research for the younger generation. The coming generation knows more about links, search engines, and "surfing the web". In this essay we will look at the following questions: what is happening with the younger generation and computers? what would happen if computers were being used in the classrooms? and, what would happen to the workforce with this lack of computer knowledge?
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Modern technology has made it so much easier to obtain educational information for classroom or homework assignments. It offers educational games that stimulate the brain and help children who have difficulties focusing on traditional teaching and learning procedures. College students are even taking advantage of online courses that many colleges are offering as an alternative to physically attending classes. Advances in technology and computers will continue to play an important role in education for many generations to come.
The twenty-first century has arrived, and it has brought some of the most advanced computing technologies into the classroom; this leaves us with a very important question, do we really need technology, such as iPads or computers, implemented in our learning plans? As a student that has taken entire courses on iPads or computers, I can tell you that the former is not the case. There are plenty of reasons to teach about technological advances in each individual field of learning, but, more often than not, technology is unreliable and distracting for students. Not to mention that methods of maintenance rehearsal, like taking notes by hand, are more effective for recollection of information than staring into a screen. The bottom line is, using technology as a tool for education in the classroom is not necessary because it can inhibit the way students learn material.