Monday, July 18, 2011

Effects of Technology on Education

Education has changed significantly in the last twenty years. One of the main reasons education has undergone so many changes is because of technological development. In 1990, computers and other forms of technology served a minimal role in the classroom. Today, many if not most college students attend class with a laptop. I am writing about some of the biggest advantages technology gave to education.

Technology has made research much easier. Before online Encyclopedias, Google Scholar, JSTOR, and other online research tools were available, students were forced to spend numerous hours in the library. With the new tools, students can conduct research faster in the comfort of their homes. With Google and other search engines, students can find relevant information faster and more efficiently. Also, there is no more need for intensive memorization as information is more readily available.

New also technology allows for a faster, more efficient, and more interactive classroom experience. With Powerpoint presentations and projectors, there is no need for blackboards and whiteboards. With clickers, students can take quizzes during the classroom.

These developments also help improve tutoring services. Online tutoring programs are becoming available. One-on-one in-home tutoring programs are also being aided these developments. Tutors can bring laptops to sessions allowing them to look up information, and show examples to the student more easily.

Wi-fi technology allows students to study in more comfort and a more ergonomic setting.

New mathematical software such as Maple and Mathematica allows students to make a computer algebra computations more easily. Software like Matlab and Scilab allows students to make numerical computations more easily. There is no more need for a line rule. Advanced Texas Instrument and Casio calculators allow students to solve equations and produce graphs. Online software such as Webassign allows students to submit mathematics assignments online with instant feedback.

Exclusive Web Based Online Computer Education

Learning information technology over online computer education programs is possible now. Information technology education and training are more important than ever, thanks to never ending technological innovation. IT education can assist you succeed in a new career.

Information technology training and software tutorials assist you to develop your skills very fast. Computer elearning keeps off the inconvenience of traveling to and from campus locations, as well as set schedules that run interference in hectic lifestyles. With hundreds of online computer education courses available at your fingertips, the courses vary from basic to advanced level and are all accessible from your home PC.

Computer Education courses are available in many Schools or Colleges. Many have IT Education that is an all important part of any Curriculum. Search for schools that are geared towards business in general, and ask if they offer online Computer training. You can also find online Education classes in the net. These courses allow you to work and learn from your own home with your own time slots, and may be the right course for someone who is looking for a second degree and does not wish to go through the entire College experience all over again.

An online degree in computer information science can take you a long way in the world of business and technology. Online courses in computer information science cover various database software applications and professional methods for tracking and compiling data. Right from your own home, you can learn to gather, organize and maintain information in the databases. Online degree programs in computer information technology are available at the levels of associate's degrees, bachelor degrees, and master degrees.

The information technology department is a vital area of every large business, and you can learn to be an information systems technician online. Learn to manage an IT department, and to develop strategies to best utilize the flow of information within an organization. The best online training in computer information systems can qualify you for an important career as a chief information officer or systems analyst.

American Education Is Lacking in Technology

A summit hosted by the Foundation for Excellence in Education was held earlier this week in Washington, D.C. to discuss the U.S. education system. Among all topics presented, one in which figures from all political parties and CEO's from prominent U.S. corporations agreed on was that technology was not utilized enough in the classroom.

New forms of technology have had a great impact on the everyday lives of Americans. The way we share information has been forever changed by devices like smartphones and iPads, and social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. But summit attendees agreed that technology has not been used to its full potential when it comes to education.

Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education finds it interesting that technology has impacted the way that people interact socially with one another but has not fully made its way into U.S. schools. "It [technology] has transformed how we do business, but technology has yet to transform how we provide education," he said.

Today's students are not learning about technology in the classroom and are failing to meet the expectations of tech-savvy employers when they enter the workforce. William Simon, CEO of the U.S. division of Wal-Mart said that young workers often lack the ability to "adapt to the ever-changing technology that surrounds them on the job." Wal-Mart, the nation's largest employer has begun offering discounted rates for its employees to take online courses through the online school American Public University. At the summit, William pointed out the benefit of training students to use technology at an early age so that they will develop the skills to use new forms of technology that are developed in the future.

Online Education - Five Leading Schools

A good online education institute should have several qualities that make them a top-notch school. Among them are accreditation, flexibility, and student support systems. The following schools have all of these. While these schools have good reputations as online college institutions, there are many more just as good. The most important factor for selecting the college or university is that it is right for you.

University of Phoenix.

Founded in 1976 the Uof P is the largest private college in the US. with more than 150,000 students. The North Central Association of Schools and Colleges and the Higher Learning Commission accredit Uof P. Its Masters in nursing school is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing, and it's counseling tract by the Council for Accreditation in Counseling and Related Educational Programs. Uof P is an entirely online learning institute. New classes start each week, so it is very flexible. The counselors will help you with registration, answer questions about financial aid or other questions. The University of Phoenix has a large selection of degrees and classes you can attend. Doctoral students are required to have 19 days of residential instruction.

Capella University

Located in Minneapolis, MN, Capella is accredited by the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges, and the Higher Learning Commission. It currently has approximately 19,000 online students. Classes start continuously, so you can enter a program at anytime. Materials are available 24/7 on the Internet. You can receive credit from previous experience through a DANTES exam or from previous classes through a CLEP exam. Capella University has five schools: Business and Technology, Education, Human Services, and Psychology.

Aspen

Aspen was the first University to offer a 100% online masters degree in business (MBA). Twenty-five years later the school still offers accredited online college degree programs. The Distance Education and Training Council Accrediting Commission accredit Aspen. Internet classes last eight weeks and start five times a year. You can earn credit by exam through DANTES and CLEP examinations. Aspen is an adult-focused college, with course work entirely online. Programs in business, technology, education, nursing and criminal justice are offered. Aspen offers a decrease in tuition if paid up front: a bachelor's degree will only cost 4,500 plus the cost of books.

Technology Revolutions in Education

Technology has simply revolutionized the way humans live and work. It has become a necessity, if for a day we are deprived of electricity we feel our lives have come to an end. We have become dependent on electricity to an extent from where there is no return. Technology has allowed us to unleash many hidden secrets of the universe and has put many interesting challenges for the people like traveling to the moon and going deep in the ocean.

Technology has entered all important aspects of our lives. Revolution in industries was the result of introduction of machinery. Now, the entire workforce on earth is directly or indirectly linked to technology, millions daily reap huge benefits from technology. Education is one sector that demands for technology to the maximum. Technology very smoothly fits in to the academic activities going on in schools. With technology in schools parents can keep a stricter eye on their kids as the school administration has the contacts of parents and they can be immediately informed if the kid bunks school or arrives late. With voice mail, the parents are also kept in loop about the progress of their children. It has also facilitated teachers to a great extent. They can send homework to the students from home, receive assignments online and even grade them on the computer.

Colleges and universities have experienced more advantages than schools. These institutes have made online libraries on dedicated networks. These libraries have all the courses and much other relevant information. Students and teachers are given access to these libraries. Using the sources of online libraries the teachers can prepare better notes and lectures for the class whereas the students have unlimited access to books and journals that greatly helps them in understanding the subjects easily and more independently; the students can even search for term papers.

History of Educational Technology

There is no written evidence which can tell us exactly who has coined the phrase educational technology. Different educationists, scientists and philosophers at different time intervals have put forwarded different definitions of Educational Technology. Educational technology is a multifaceted and integrated process involving people, procedure, ideas, devices, and organization, where technology from different fields of science is borrowed as per the need and requirement of education for implementing, evaluating, and managing solutions to those problems involved in all aspects of human learning.

Educational technology, broadly speaking, has passed through five stages.

The first stage of educational technology is coupled with the use of aids like charts, maps, symbols, models, specimens and concrete materials. The term educational technology was used as synonyms to audio-visual aids.

The second stage of educational technology is associated with the 'electronic revolution' with the introduction and establishment of sophisticated hardware and software. Use of various audio-visual aids like projector, magic lanterns, tape-recorder, radio and television brought a revolutionary change in the educational scenario. Accordingly, educational technology concept was taken in terms of these sophisticated instruments and equipments for effective presentation of instructional materials.

The third stage of educational technology is linked with the development of mass media which in turn led to 'communication revolution' for instructional purposes. Computer-assisted Instruction (CAI) used for education since 1950s also became popular during this era.

The fourth stage of educational technology is discernible by the individualized process of instruction. The invention of programmed learning and programmed instruction provided a new dimension to educational technology. A system of self-learning based on self-instructional materials and teaching machines emerged.