16-10-2016 Unit-6
Advance Methods/Media & Technologies
Computers in Education
Computers
have become the life line of young generation. The present generation students
like to embrace all the things in the ambit of this modern technology. The
educators are feeling shy and reluctant to accept technology as their work
partner. Will our present and the immediate next generation educators like to
view the gap widening between them and further generation students in terms of
usage of technology for teaching learning purpose or they would like to
modernize themselves in the struggle to keep intact their responsible
professional position intact? Are universities and institutions in the field of
teacher education focusing upon the courses for using computers in education or
they simply feel delighted to see the state boards at school level and
National/State councils for Educational Research and Training are advancing at
great speed to plan out integration of technology with education with teachers
struggling to complete even the prescribed syllabus?
Importance
of computers in education:
Computers provide an invaluable tool in
education, primarily in the acquisition and analysis of data used for research.
Fields such as science, writing composition, mathematics and history all
benefit from access to the Internet. Educational programs designed to stimulate
learning provide alternative ways for students to learn a subject.
As computers themselves
are vital to modern business, government and society, familiarity with computer
systems is a necessary skill in the 21st century. Learning to use computers and
software for problem solving, data manipulation and model building is also
important for science and mathematical fields. Access to the Internet provides
communication avenues between students and teachers about particular
assignments or topics, and use of school blogs can provide quick feedback from
peers. Using public forums also encourages careful writing, as other students
are able to criticize the writing. Presentations done in such a manner
encourage students to critique work for proper grammar and word choice.
Technology also allows for students to work on text, audio and video
presentations that can keep peers informed on school events, as well as
collaborate on projects. Educational resources on the Internet can also be
brought up whenever needed, allowing students to review a lecture or assignment
at their own pace
E-learning:
Learning
conducted via electronic media, typically on the Internet.
"Successful
e-learning depends on the self-motivation
of individuals to study effectively"
E-learning is an
abbreviation of the term electronic learning. Electronic learning in its
literal meaning stands for the type of learning carried out, facilitated or
supported by some or the other electronic gadgets, media or resources. Judging
in this sense, the learning facilitated by the use of an electronic media or
means like microphones and listening devices or audio and visual tapes can be
termed as e-learning. In this sense, e-learning calls for the services of the
advance electronic information and communication media and means like
teleconferencing, video-conferencing and computer based conferencing, e-mail,
live chat, surfing on the Internet and Web browsing, online reference
libraries, video games, customized e-learning courses etc.
E-learning: in Modern era:
The Internet
is a marvelous tool when it comes to fostering education and learning because
it is a treasure trove of information. Children who take to the web for more
than just entertainment are bound to find that their schoolwork becomes easier
and exams simpler to prepare for and top quality. And this is because as
connection speeds increase and the ubiquity of the Internet pervades,
digital content reigns. And in this era, free education has never been so
accessible. The Web gives lifelong learners the tools to become
autodidacts, eschewing, very expensive tuition and joining the ranks
of other self-taught great thinkers in history such as Albert Einstein,
Alexander Graham Bell, Paul Allen and Ernest Hemingway.
“Learning
is not a product of schooling but the lifelong attempt to acquire it.” -Albert
Einstein.
Nature
and Characteristics of E- Learning
E-learning is pedagogy
empowered by digital technology.
E-learning is a term
which is used to refer computer enhanced learning.
E-learning includes all
types of technology enhanced learning (TEL), where technology is used to
support the learning process. Use of e-learning is generally confined to
“on-line learning” carried out through the Internet or Web-based technology,
with no face-to-face interaction.
E-learning conveys
broader meaning than the terms CBL (Computer based learning) and CAI (Computer
assisted instruction). E-learning is broader in its meaning that they conveyed
through the simple terms like “on-line learning” or “on-line education”.
E-learning should not
be considered as synonymous to audio- visual learning, multi-media learning,
distance education or distance learning. Although the audio-visual and multimedia
technology and distance education programmers are based on the Internet and Web
services provided through the computers, yet these are not identical but
complementary. The use of the term
e-learning should be confined to the type of learning carried out, supported or
facilitated through Web enhanced instruction and the Internet based
communications like e-mail, audio and video conferencing, mail list, live chats
and telephony.
All types of
non-Internet and non-Web technology are not included in e-learning. Taking a
clear stand on this issue Kumar and John (2008) write, “Though computer is used
for instruction and learning, the non-Web technologies thus not come under
technology. The entire computer based instructions, computer managed
instructions, integrated learning systems, multimedia, interactive video,
virtual reality, artificial intelligence, etc. which are not delivered through
the Internet but are still used for learning and instruction cannot be included
in e-learning. However, these techniques, when delivered via Internet for
instruction and learning, become e-learning.”
Modes
and Styles of E- Learning
E-learning can play a
more supporting role to the teaching-learning activities organized in the
class. As a result, a teacher may make its use for his better teaching and a
learner for his needed learning, e.g., they may use multimedia, Internet and
Web services for their teaching and learning to enhance their class room
activities.
Blended
learning: In this mode, attempts are made for making use of a
combination of traditional and ICT enhanced e-learning practices. The program
and activities are so planned and executed as to present a happy combination of
both the traditional class room teaching practices and e-learning based
instructions. Thus, one can reap the benefits of both the practices of
traditional and e-learning.
Complete
e-learning: In this mode of learning the
traditional class room teaching-learning is totally replaced by the virtual
classroom teaching-learning. There is no existence of class rooms, schools and
teaching-learning environment as happens in the traditional setup of school
education. The learners are free to take the learning tasks independently with
the help of properly designed e-learning courses.
Most of the learning activities
are carried out entirely on-line, but at the same time, they may have also
access to the well stored information and learning packages available in the
form of recorded CD-ROM, DVD, etc. Such type of e-learning activities may be
found to adopt the following two distinctive communication styles narrated:
Asynchronous
communication style: In this style, the course information
or learning experiences are passed to the learners through e-mail, discussion
forum, Web pages, Web logs, wikis or through the recorded CD-ROM and DVD. As a
result, the teachers and learners do not interact simultaneously.
Synchronous
communication style: Here the communication between the
teacher and students directly occurs in an online chat room or through live
audio-video conferencing. It allows them properly together at a specified time
for communicating with each other regarding the course material. As a result, a
teacher can provide valuable information, lecture or share one or the other
learning experiences with his students.
E-learning
is the demand of the time. We have to prepare our students and bring suitable
modification and improvements in the prevailing system of our educational
institution to face this challenge. The following steps for promoting
e-learning are,
The
first and foremost thing that needs to be done is to develop a positive
attitude towards the processes and products of e-learning. The students should
be made to appreciate the fruits of e-learning.
Provide the need
facilities for training and equipping the students and teachers with the
essential technical knowledge and skills related to the operation.
Provide proper
orientation to the staff and students not only in terms of making them
technologically capable for engaging in e-learning but also to have full
awareness about all the possible advantages and gains drawn from such ventures.
4. Make provision of the Internet facilities and class room Websites for giving
opportunities to the teachers and students to carry out the teaching-learning
tasks using the mechanism of e-learning.
Last but not the least,
make adequate provision for the availability of the technical support services
to train and provide online support to both the teachers and students in
reaping maximum benefits from e-learning program.
Advantages
of E- Learning
Class work can be scheduled around personal and
professional work
Reduces travel cost and time to and from school
Learners may have the option to select learning
materials that meets their level of knowledge and interest
Learners can study wherever they have access to a
computer and Internet
Self-paced learning modules allow learners to work
at their own pace
Flexibility to join discussions in the bulletin
board threaded discussion areas at any hour, or visit with classmates and instructors
remotely in chat rooms
Different learning styles are addressed and
facilitation of learning occurs through varied activities
Development of computer and Internet skills that is
transferable to other facets of learner's lives
Successfully completing online or computer-based
courses builds self-knowledge and self-confidence and encourages students to
take responsibility for their learning.
Disadvantages
of E- Learning
Unmotivated learners or those with poor study habits
may fall behind
Lack of familiar structure and routine may take
getting used to
Students may feel isolated or miss social
interaction
Instructor may not always be available on demand
Slow or unreliable Internet connections can be
frustrating
Managing learning software can involve a learning
curve
Some courses such as traditional hands-on courses
can be difficult to simulate
We need a professional LMS system, which is
compliment with all e-learning relevant standards.
We need money and peoples, and lot of optimism
CONCLUSION:
From the above discussion we conclude that e-learning is a technique or a form
of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) used in providing learning
experiences to the students on-line through the use of Internet services and
Web technology of computers on the same lines as witnessed by us in the form of
e-mail, e-banking, e-booking and e-commerce in our day-to-day life. E-learning
is also having some disadvantages which are discussed earlier. In spite of
certain defect, e-learning is very useful and it is becoming more and more
popular.
E-learning
pioneer BERNARD LUSKIN (2001) explains `e’ as exciting, energetic,
enthusiastic, emotional, extended and educational.
Computer conferencing:
Computer conferencing is a means by which multiple
individuals can communicate and share ideas through the use of a computer
system. Due to the expansive nature of the Internet, this can be done over
great distances and may allow people to share ideas more easily than other
means of communication. One of the most common types of computer conferencing
involves multiple users at separate computers. Each user is able to
communicate, often through instant messaging applications, while they are also
able to look at images sent through a host system.
This type of
computer conferencing allows a single person, usually a manager or team leader, to
show others images and documents that are being developed, while the other
users provide feedback about that content. Such conferences can also use a
phone system to allow for easier verbal communication, or the use of
microphones and computer speakers to allow for speech between the different
users. Some computer conferencing programs can even allow multiple users to
share or host images and documents, which may then be modified by other users
and viewed together in real time. This allows for individuals separated by
great distances to more easily brainstorm and share ideas.
Computer
conferencing can also be done in a way that is not at all commercial. Chat
rooms and instant message programs are forms of conferencing that utilize
computers, and these are often used for recreational purposes rather than for
professional use. Computer conferencing can also refer to hosted databases that
can be accessed by remote users, allowing a single resource or program to be
accessed by different users to take advantage of the resources provided by
those users. Such applications can allow for greater processing and resource
sharing among users, and is commonly utilized in business, as well as for open
sources programming and development projects.
Computer
conferencing makes possible small group interaction through the rapid and
convenient exchange of written texts. We are accustomed to experiencing small
group interaction only in face-to-face settings. In computer conferencing one
essential feature of face-to-face meetings is lacking, the physical presence of
the members to each other, but it is replaced to some extent by new forms of
textual self-presentation. The fact that interlocutors cannot see each other
means they cannot exchange many of the tacit signs that play an important role
in resolving ambiguities and establishing social control. Because of this,
communication links tend to be more fragile in on-line systems than in a
face-to-face setting. This gives rise to a form of "communication
anxiety" characteristic of this new medium.
Computer
conferences are most successful where they are led by a "moderator"
with specific social and technical functions that compensate for the loss of
tacit cues in the on-line setting. Teachers can employ the moderating role to
organize an on-line equivalent of the classroom. Effective techniques are
identified for instructional applications of computer conferencing
Computer conferencing is a special kind of
electronic mail system employed to facilitate group discussion over a computer
network. The technology makes it possible to define private groups, usually no
larger than 50, with access to a topically defined discussion forum.
Participants type messages into their own computer terminal and then transmit
the text over phone lines to a central computer where they are classified and
stored. The central computer serves as a remote filing cabinet or bulletin
board where all participants can see the latest additions to the discussion and
respond. Participants can dip in to the file at times of their own convenience,
using the central computer as a "meeting place" for an
"asynchronous" conversation that may last weeks or months. As a
communications medium useful for group discussion, computer conferencing is the
instructional technology through which the liberal arts can apply computers
while retaining their identity. None of the "inhuman" connotations of
the computer, which define it by implication as antagonistic to humanistic
learning, are relevant to this application of the technology. This new medium
does not replace the teacher but provides an alternative way for teachers and
students to meet. Because all communication takes place in natural language,
personalities come through clearly and students and teachers really feel that
they are in each others' presence. Because all the students in the class see
each others' comments and ideas, a feeling of group membership develops, and
students frequently are able to learn as much from each other as from the
teacher. In its application to video and correspondence courses, computer
conferencing adds group interaction to the other advantages of distance
learning, with its potential for self-pacing and continuing education.
Disadvantages of Computer Conferencing
Computer conferencing has become an industry-standard practice due to
its cost-effectiveness and ease of use. Instead of traveling internationally,
an American businessman can now connect to a panel of internationally based
associates at the click of a mouse. Unfortunately, computer conferencing is
inherently limited in many aspects. Disadvantages include lack of immediate
response and lack of convergent thinking.
Low Pressure: The pressure to respond
immediately is largely absent in online chat sessions. People feel less obliged
to speak up when there is a lessened sense of the spotlight being on them.
(This not a disadvantage in video chat sessions, as the conference is held visually
in real time.)
High
Interactivity: Video or voice
conferences can be demanding for individuals who have little training in
interactive situations. If a person is used to sitting back and listening in
during physical conferences, he may have a hard time contributing to the
discussion. It is demanding to be one of a few on a video session, because of
the obligation to respond immediately.
Disorganization:
With the potential for
everyone to respond at once, chat sessions can be chaotic. A person might ask a
question and receive dozens of answers. This can cause the conference to branch
out in several directions and open the door for off-topic discussion.
Low
Potential for Convergent Thinking: With the possibility of hundreds of responses entering the situation,
it is hard to combine all the input coherent ideas. This holds especially true
for computer conferencing, where much of the feedback is text-based and
disorganized.
Technical
Limitations: If a conference is being
held on a specific platform (such as Skype) both parties must have the platform
installed on their computers. The computers must also be compatible with the
program (for example, Macintosh computers may not work with Windows Live
messenger.) Both parties must also have a working Internet connection.
Pros
1. Cheap
Video
conferencing software has become increasingly popular because it is affordable.
In fact, most web conferencing programs do not charge for basic features.
However, consumers often have to pay to access premium features.
2. Easy to set up
Video
conferencing programs are generally easy to set up because all you have to do
is install or access the relevant software online. This also means you do not
necessarily have to hire an expert to install or configure a videoconferencing solution.
3. Greater functionality
Room-based
conferencing solutions afford users greater functionality compared to
software-based solutions. For example, some solutions come with basic video
editing features and even support virtualized deployment. What’s more, they can
also be used for on-demand viewing and live streaming.
4. Integration with in-house systems
Most
hardware video conferencing systems support integration with in-house systems.
For example, some support integration with Microsoft or Cisco workplace
solutions.
5. Camera control
Hardware
systems come with camera control features such as zooming, panning, or changing
the focus of a camera. The increasing popularity of virtual reality is expected
to lead to similar changes in the video conferencing sector.
Cons
1. Quality: On the quality front, video
conferencing programs are generally inferior compared to hardware systems. For
instance, some web conferencing solutions suffer from freezing of video images,
meaning they may not be suitable for conducting important meetings
2. Camera control: Most
video conferencing programs lack camera control features. As such, you would
need to align your webcam before initiating communication with another person.
3. Limited capability: Compared to
hardware systems, web conferencing programs have limited capability. For
example, they do not support life-sized video images.
4.
Video Conferencing Hardware: Hardware video conferencing systems
refer to video conferencing solutions that are installed in a dedicated room.
As such, they are usually called room-based videoconferencing solutions.
5. Expensive: Acquiring and installing
room-based video conferencing gear is typically expensive. As such, small and
medium businesses may be unable to afford these solutions. Moreover, you may
also need to hire in-house experts to maintain your hardware video conferencing
system.
6. Dual room usage: Room-based video
conferencing may inconvenience other employees, especially in a business that
is unable to dedicate a room for this purpose.
Conclusion:
Video conferencing has become essential for businesses communication. However,
whilst software-based solutions are generally cheap and easy to set up, they
have a limited capability, lack of camera control, and poor image and sound
quality. On the other hand, room-based videoconferencing systems offer greater
functionality, camera control, and integration with other systems. However,
they are generally expensive and can cause dual room usage conflicts.
References:
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