The Benefits & Implications

In recent years, Information Technology (IT) has been the hottest issue around the world. Not only has technological advancement enlightened the society for better mankind, it also has significant impact on the educational reform. It has changed the way in which education is delivered, and students are connected to a wider world beyond the classroom door. The trend of using instructional technology is becoming more popular: we can see large screen projections, interactive multimedia, email and WWW are more commonly used in universities nowadays. This paper proposes that the use of IT in teaching and learning will be inevitable in the near future because of the undeniable potential benefits it brings. In addition, this paper will provide insights into the implications of teaching and learning with IT.

The Benefits

Improve quality learning

The use of IT in teaching and learning has many advantages, of which the most important one is the enhancement of quality learning. ¡§Students would benefit by being actively involved in the learning process, receive immediate reinforcement about performance, and be able to proceed at their own pace¡¨ (Gillespie, 1999) There are many instructional websites available online for students to explore and learn by themselves. Students are allowed more control over their own learning process as they decide what to learn, when to learn and how to learn. With references to the immediate feedback received about their performances, they can make the decisions when to repeat questions, exercises and sequences based on their own progresses, and practise until they are satisfied with their results.

On one hand, the use of IT allows individualization of learning and helps promote learner¡¦s autonomy while accommodating multiple learning styles. On the other hand, it facilitates collaborative and cooperative learning. Opportunities for interactions between teachers and students and among students can be increased via Email, web forums, newsgroups, interactive bulletin boards and online chat rooms. Connections can be built between local students and the peers overseas. Students who are too shy to speak during lessons are given chance to share their opinions in the ¡§virtual classroom¡¨, and teachers can also quickly and directly respond to individual student needs.

By using modern technological tools, teachers¡¦ productivity can be raised since less time and effort are needed for preparing the course materials and marking assignments. ¡§Powerful Web-based course management tools, like WebCT, enable teachers to customize and publish course content, communicate via bulletin board, private e-mail account and online chat, manage student accounts, track their progress, set online quiz, launch auto-grading, calculate scores and conduct online survey.¡¨ (Jor G. 1999). Using modern instructional technologies can also stimulate students¡¦ interest in learning because the course content can be presented in a variety of ways. ¡§The use of a computer often provide not only sounds, but also visual input providing students with more contextual cues. Students interacting with a computer are also using motor skills as well, which can have a strong reinforcing effect on the learning process by connecting physical actions with desired results.¡¨

Accessible    

Another strong argument for the use of IT in education is its accessibility. It expands the time and space boundaries of the classroom. The internet enables those who are trying to acquire knowledge and skills to learn from any location at any time. It improves access to human resources and research materials. According to ¡§Information Age¡¨ Technologies and the Future of Instruction: A Vision,¡¨ CINITAP Draft Statement, November 3, 1995¡¨, ¡§Digital networks will enhance the dissemination and publication of new knowledge, access to library and museum collections, intercampus research collaborations, shared used of scientific instruments, specialized computational and information resources, and research data sets.¡¨ Definitely it will help teachers & students to improve their teaching & learning.

Implications

The changing roles & challenges

Teaching with the use of IT necessitates a change in the conventional paradigm of classroom roles and processes. The role of teachers is expanding and becoming more demanding and challenging. Changing from a teacher directed learning environment to student-centered learning environment, teachers are no longer knowledge dispensers, they are playing an active role in student learning as facilitators instead. According to Smyth M.(1997), teachers need to :

¡P Support students in taking responsibility for their own learning;

¡P Structure activities to incorporate the use of technology in or outside class when appropriate;

¡P Ensure the development of effective search strategies for accessing the data available on CD-ROMs and the Internet;

¡P Assist students in reflecting on their learning and in developing more effective strategies;

¡P Be co-learners with their students in using the technology effectively

Such change may threaten many teachers. Some may resist the pressure to alter teaching practices that have worked for them in the past; some are reluctant to incorporate the use of IT into their teaching as they fear their students may know more than them. ¡§The problem is getting worse for teachers in their late 30s or early 40s who might not have a chance to learn computers. They usually give excuses like ¡¥Can I do it later?¡¦ or ¡¥I need more time to look at it¡¦.¡¨(Poon D, 1999)

Students usually experience less difficulty when they learn to use technology as they usually absorb new knowledge more quickly. However, in the new student-centered learning environment, they are expected to be active learners, not just passive recipients of information. They are expected to learn how to learn, and be able to search, exchange, evaluate and produce information.

Can Internet effectively replace traditional lectures?

Due to the tremendous benefits that internet can bring, some people predict that it would be possible that teachers would be replaced someday. However, I don¡¦t agree with their statement. Personally I believe that teachers and physical schools still have important values in education. ¡§The school as a place for social learning will not disappear as a result of the increased use of ICT. The role of the teacher will certainly change, but it will not evaporate into the ether.¡¨ (Pritchard A, 2000)

According to an interview with a graduate student of cognitive science department in HKU, it seems that it was agreed that the internet had facilitated research and communication. However, he also commented ¡§Universities traditionally provide more than knowledge. They provide the social and motivation structure that allows people to learn and keep on learning¡K..The physical presence is something that is irreplaceable.¡¨(Taylor, M. 2000)

Conclusion

To actualize the potentials of improving teaching with IT, individual impulse and community support are very important. Individuals must take the initiative to begin to use it and to facilitate the change. Therefore, both teachers and students should be prepared to be life-long learners in this ever-changing world. Nevertheless, only individual effort is not enough, without understanding and support from community as a whole, there won¡¦t be any reform at all.