The learning environment now should be able to prepare students for the future
either to enter the workforce or to enter aninstitution of higher learning. They are
able to compete using IT to communicate, cooperate and carry out their everyday
tasks.
The traditional educational practice doesnot provide students with all these
skills. The basic skills such as using wordprocessor have been a must for those
working in offices. E-mails prove to beimportant communication tools due to
their speed in delivering information.
The integration of IT involves the use of Information Technology to increase the
efficiency of teaching and learning. The use of tools such as computers and
projectors and software application such as word processing, electronic
worksheet, the Internet, course software and others require careful planning and
changes in the functions of the teacher, student and classroom.
The Need to Apply IT in Teaching and Learning
The use of IT in education has an effecton achieving the learning objectives,
motivation and relationship among students. In a study conducted by Knezek
(1999) it was found that studentds:
Show the ability to think on a highercognitive level when learning to
use the computer.
Able to analyse problems, conduct self-evaluation and pose relevant questions.
Form strategies to cooperate with friends
Motivated,moreinterestedandconfidentofthemselves.
Opinions on the Use of IT in Education
Perspective about IT in education can be categorised as:
Four Perspective Categories about IT:
Media and communication: According to Saettler (1990) the use of technology in education
focussed initially on audio visual media. Nevertheless in the year
1988, the Association for Educational Communications and
Technology (AECT) took an interest in the use of telecommunication
and computer-based information technology as a teaching media in
education.
Layout system : At the end of 1970, there were discussions that technology in
education should not only be viewed as a communication media to
disseminate information on education but also as a systematic
approach to designing, developing and delivering lessons suitable to
specific requirements. (Heinich et al. 1997).
Skill training tool: The need for the skilled use of the computer hardware in vocational
training in schools has led to the view that the practical use of
computer-based technology and communication were suitable ways
to learn the many branches of subjects such as mathematics, science,
language besides other basic tecnological subjects such as robotics,
manufacturing systems and computer aided design.
Technology related to computers: Opinions on the wide use of computers in education has formed a new branch of technology in education that is Educational
Computing. Educational computing covers teaching systems and
technology support systems based on computers in the form of
application and tools.
With this increasing view that covers various technology sources
including media, teaching systems and support material, which are
computer based, Educational Computing was known as Educational
Technology. This view was supported by the International Society
for Technology in Education (ISTE).
THE ROLE OF TEACHERS AND STUDENTS IN THE USE OF IT IN EDUCATION
The Justification of Using IT in Teaching and Learning
The integration of IT in education has a positive effect on the studentsÊ learning
process. A study was conducted by Bracewell (2001) to gauge the effectiveness of
IT in education. He categorised the effectiveness of IT education into 14
categories. Seven of them are related to student learning and the other seven are
related to teaching. Let us discuss each of the effectiveness.
(a) Learning
(i) Increase the intellectual level of the students in problem solving,
creativity and learning skills.
(ii) Expands and deepens the scope of the lesson content.
(iii) Increase the interest in studying.
(iv) Increase the focus to carry out activities when using IT.
(v) Form the interest to carry out investigation as information is
easily accessible.
(vi) Encourage cooperation among students in schools and outside
the school.
(vii) Increase the level of information integration.
(b) Teaching
(i) The teacher can get materials and help easily andquickly.
(ii) The teacher cooperates duringand after school hours.
(iii) The teacher and the students can focus more on planning the
learning process to enhance learning activities.
(iv) The teacher guides and interacts more with the students.
(v) The teaching and learning process is seen as a continuous
exploration process.
(vi) Learning evaluation becomes more challenging.
(vii) Diagnostic evaluation focuses more on the specific weaknesses
of students.
The Effects on the Functions of theTeacher, Student and the Classroom:
The integration of IT in educaton has a great impact on the functions of the
teacher, student and the use of space inthe classroom. The teacher cannot remain
as an imparter of knowledge as information technology allows the latest
information to be accessed easily. This causes changes in learning activities. Now
we will discuss the functions of the teacher, student and the classroom.
The function of a teacher
The teacher plays an important role inteaching and learning. Below are the
functions of a teacher.
Functions of a Teacher :
- Teacher as a student
- Teacher as a facilitator
- Teacher as a learning partner
Function of the Student:
- Students as teachers
- Students as learning partners
Functions of the Classroom:
- Classroom arrangement
- Hardware Sharing
- Online classes
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