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EduBuzz EduReference Using Information Technology in Education and Learning| Using Information Technology in Education and Learning |
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Information technology (IT) is changing the way we work, play and learn. We look at how IT is being used in education, and how you too can harness it to enhance your child’s learning. Computers come in many forms besides the traditional computer sitting on many people’s desks. It can also be a little tablet laptop that one can write on with a pen, or a website that can be reached both at school and home, or even a little pen that has an even-smaller computer brain sitting inside to help figure out which page of the textbook the student is looking at. When we add ‘e’ to ‘Learning’, the focus is on how Information Technology (IT) is used to enhance the learning experience. Where e-learning is concerned, children and youth are the ones who stand to benefit most from the developments in technology. They easily adapt to the use of computers and high-tech gadgets in school, at home and on the road. My students, especially the restless ones really look forward to e-learning activities. Whether they are playing a game-based challenge, using a creative writing programme or watching an animated clip, they are really interested and engaged in learning. - Mrs M L Lee, educator Bringing life to the Classroom-¦ and beyond With the latest technology, it has now become possible to stimulate children’s learning processes in multiple ways, cater to different learning activities and allow children to learn at their own pace. Thanks to technological advancements, lessons have become a lot livelier. IT spices up learning by turning the classroom into a multimedia hub with audio and video clips, animated texts, PowerPoint presentations, interactive learning activities and language games.With IT, learning is also no longer restricted to the classroom. IT has ‘broken down the walls’ of the classroom and given teachers more flexibility to conduct lessons in different settings. Using portable computers in outdoor and non-classroom settings is already happening in schools. Walking around with aPersonal Digital Assistant (PDA) that is able to transmit information instantly depending on a student’s location may one day be happening every day in schools all over Singapore. Empowering the Learner Searching the web for information-¦Exchanging video clips via email...Video conferencing with students across the globe-¦ In recent years, IT has gone beyond changing the way learning content is presented, to giving us powerful tools to shape where, when and how we want to learn. Students are increasingly using IT tools to do research, collect and document what they have gathered, track their learning progress, present their findings and communicate with others.Based on their individual abilities and learning styles, students have more flexibility to craft a learning path that suits them. This means that increasingly, teachers will play the role of learning facilitators rather than instructors. Using IT to enhance your child’s learning IT can enrich the learning experiences of not just your child, but also the entire family. Use IT to: Carry out Research Educational CD-ROMs and the Internet are goldmines of information that you and your child can tap on for schoolwork and general knowledge. However, always be discerning about the information you find, especially on the Internet. While established knowledge centres such as the Encyclopaedia Britannica,NationalGeographic and reputable educational publishers are more reliable, there are many websites out there that may not contain accurate or up-todate information. When doing research about a specific concept or topic, check out different sources of information and compare what you find, instead of relying on just one. FutureSchools@Singapore - The Future of Learning Watching 3D movies in the classroom-¦Growing plants in an online garden-¦A virtual learning assistant for every student-¦ These and more may be coming to a school near you in the next few years. Such exciting innovations are part of the FutureSchools@ Singapore initiative which was launched by the Ministry of Education in May 2008. The Ministry embarked on this project to harness Information and Communication Technology(ICT) for engaged learning and to keep our education system and programmes relevant in preparing our students for the future.The FutureSchools are a group of schools that will push for innovative transformation of the education experience in Singapore. The initial pilot involves 2 primary schools, 2 secondary schools and 1 junior college. They will lead the way for other schools in providing possible models for how ICT can be integrated seamlessly into the curriculum for engaged learning in schools. Learn and Revise E-learning content has come a long way from simple ‘picture and text’ programmes to multimedia learning programmes in online and CD/DVD form that use video, animation and sound to vividly describe concepts and processes so that they can be easily understood. Some programmes are intended for teaching and revision, while others that specialise in practice and assessment can instantly mark answers, provide worked explanations, identify areas of weakness and track your child’s progress. Such features can be very useful in helping you to monitor your child’s academic performance. Communicate and Share Email, online chat and videoconferencing -” these marvels of technology bring millions closer together, bridging time and space, while blogs and social applications such as Facebook encourage people to connect and share personal experiences. Aside from helping you to bond with your children and stay in touch with them, such tools also enable a global form of collaborative learning -” hereby students from different places and communities can work together on joint projects. Encourage your child to explore the learning communities out there and find ways to participate, so as to widen your child’s learning experiences.
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