EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY
Computers for Educational purpose: pros and cons
Department Of English Language
ABSTRACT
Technology today offers many new opportunities for innovation in
educational assessment. Through rich new assessment tasks and potentially
powerful scoring, reporting and real-time. Feedback mechanisms (Scalise, K.
& Gifford, B. 2006). This paper elaborates on the pros And cons of
computer-for educational purpose. The
world is constantly changing and ways in which we function at home, work and
school are also changing. The speed at which technology has developed plays a
major role in these changes. From e-mail to on-line classes, computers are
definitely influential in our lives, and can enhance the learning process in
schools in various ways. With the increasing popularity of computer technology,
it is essential for administrators to support and encourage computer technology
in our education systems.
Introduction
Advances in computer technology continue to change the lives of
instructors and students. One of the exciting new ways to use computers in
education is in testing. According to Brown (1997), computer-based tests (CBTs)
have been used in second language testing since the early 80's. This rapid change
in mode of administration of tests is very understandable. As Jamieson (2005)
states, computers have a number of very desirable functions that considerably
eases up the test creation and assessment task, including item creation and
presentation, answer collection and scoring, statistical analysis, and storage,
transmission, and retrieval of information. Also the literature on computer-assisted
language learning indicates that language learners have generally positive
attitudes towards using computers in the classroom (Reid, 1986; Neu and
Scarcella, 1991; Phinney, 1991).
Computer-based
assessment has been used in many disciplines to give both formative feedback
and to offer summative testing. This is especially so in the sciences. There is
evidence to suggest that formative computer-based assessment can produce
improvement in student learning outcomes (Clariana, 1993) and that this can
lead to a positive attitudes of students to learning.
Computers are important in education because
they force us to reconsider how people learn, how they are empowered, and what
the nature of learning and useful information is. We cannot avoid the presence
of computers in our schools because they are forcing educators to re-evaluate
the very nature of what and how we teach. In 1998, the Office of Technology
Assessment reported there were approximately 5.8 million computers in schools
across United State’s or approximately one machine for every nine students
(Provenzo, Brett, & McCloskey, 1999).
An
advantage of having computer-assisted instruction in the classroom is that the
computer can serve as a tutor. Teachers can only aid students in the learning
process so far. Computers can assist teachers and act as a tutor for the
students who are falling behind. A report entitled Computer Advantages:
Tutoring Individuals, states “with computers as tutors, no student will be
overwhelmed because he or she is missing fundamentals the computer will repeat
material until each lesson has been sufficiently mastered” (Bennett, 1999, p.
3). Teachers do not have the time to repeat lessons over and over again. The
writer believes it is important to give all students in the classroom the
opportunity to adequately learn the lessons, and with computers acting as
tutors they can.
One of the
biggest problems in the world today is illiteracy. Each year thousands of
students graduate from high school reading at the elementary school level, or
not reading at all. Every student should have the opportunity to receive
additional assistance when they need it. Teachers are doing the best they can
with literacy issues in the classroom, and computers can reach the students
that the teachers cannot. The article entitled “Computers as Tutors” discusses
Annaben Thomas (Bennett, 1999) who was unable to read despite her years in the
New York City school system. After leaving school, she was taught by tutors and
had enrolled in library literacy programs and adult education classes trying to
overcome her handicap. After doing everything she still had not learned to
read, until she enrolled in a computer course program that taught her to read
and write. Because of success stories like this it is crucial to support the
use of computer technology in the classroom.
Although the
advantages of having computer technology in classrooms outweigh the disadvantages,
the writer can respect the concerns of the people who are against computer technology
in the classroom. Many people argue the computer does all the work for the
students, not allowing them the opportunity to digest what they have learned.
Boyle (1998) argues that information technology “may actually be making us
stupid.” (p. 618). He argues that the computer takes more of the thinking
process out of students.
Many people who grew up in the pre-computer age worry that
the use of computers will take the emotion and heart out of the classroom.
Wehrle (1998) states “the pre-computer age generation envisions designing
computer technologies that still take into account the emotional needs of the
students” (p.5). Their main argument against computers in the classroom is that
teachers need to take into account the importance of student emotions. They do
not want the quick evolution of computer technology to interfere with the
student’s need for human support that they receive from the teacher-based
instruction. The implications of having computer technology in the schools are
the belief that the computer will solve many of the problems that teachers
cannot. These include helping students raise the standardized test scores,
actually teaching students the basics such as reading and mathematics, and
implying that the teachers have the skills and abilities needed to accurately
aid students with their computer usage.
Conclusion
Despites all disadvantages, I see computer
technology is a positive supplement to bridge the gap between education and the
technological world in which we live. teachers alike still lack basic
information technology knowledge and skills. In addition, the current
curriculum, instruction, and assessments do not adequately make use of the
capabilities of today’s networked information systems (Smith & Broom). Peat
and Franklin (2002) teachers alike still lack basic information technology
knowledge and skills. In addition, the current curriculum, instruction, and
assessments do not adequately make use of the capabilities of today’s networked
information systems (Smith & Broom). Peat and Franklin (2002) Because we
know that technology gives many innovation and advantages for educational
purposes. I agree that Computers also made our lives more easily especially for
educational purpose. But computers also give many disadvantages. But we can
cope it with many ways and be a smart users.
References
Bennett, F. (1999). Computers as
tutors: Solving the crisis in education.(p. 3). Sarasota, FL: Faben Inc.
Publishers.
Peat, M. & Franklin, S. (2002). Supporting student learning:
the use of computer-based formative assessment modules. British Journal
of Education Technology, Vol. 33, No. 5.
Brown, J.D. (1997). Computers in language testing; Present research
and some future directions. Language Learning and Technology,
Vol. 1, No. 1, pp.44-59
Clariana, R.B. (1993). A review of multiple-try feedback in
traditional and computer-based instruction. Journal of computerbased instruction,
Vol.20, No. 3.
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