Impact Of Information Technology In Education Sphere
Introduction
Information technology has got a very strong impact especially in the field of education. With the current modern trends in education, high levels of information technolgy are of potential degree. Consequently, education is a wider and broader topic that could need critical intervention of highly networked technlogies with applicable communication methodologies. Precisely and critically, many researchers have carried out a critical study on the concept of information technology and how it influences the field of education and the related disciplines. Further, they have ellabrated on the most approachable and technical changes, which are supposed t be carried out in order to ensure the sector of education is on the positive improvements. Below are some of the researchers who have made a concrete analysis of IT in education.
(Voogt & Knezek, 2008) gave a clear cut on the modern tends, issues, challenges and solutions to education matters under the concept of information technology. The two put a vivid focus on the primary and secondary education and how the modern trends in technology have heavily impacted on the performance of students and the entire school fraternity. For instance, lack of computer literacy in many schools and colleges have made it problematic to counter and curb the growing demand of educational values based on advanced communication between students and their teachers. Additionally, (Information Resources Management Association., & Khosrow-Pour, 2003) laid a clear focus on the same isues whereby they could able to handle the issues, which appear to negatively impact on the sector of education especially in primary and secondary schools.
(Information Resources Management Association., & Khosrow-Pour, 2003) researched out that the IT sector needs a thorough collaboration with the education in order to be able to save the situation on the ground. Specifically, they addressed the possible and obvious challenges, which are seemingly booming on the education sector each and every moment hence, making it difficult enough to predetermine on the future of education especially with the dynamic information technology packages. The same methodologies of research employed by Voogt and Knezek were the same used by the information management association in ensuring the correct report is captured for necessary actions to be taken. First they could go round in schools and get to interact with students in different platforms thus the vivid and touching challenges and issues facing the aspect of education. However, after a concrete study and analysis, the researchers came up with long serving and applicable solutions to the problems at hand. For example, offering of some information technology training to teachers and the students could help a great deal of events. Availabilty of computers to schools was another initiative to cut down on the stress of training and learning of computer basics. Further, creation of school websites and other social groups could be another avenue where both teachers and students could interact and get to share educational matters. On this platform, the teachers and the school management could easily reach out students without necessarily employing the internal memos and other circulars.
(Fung, A. C. W., Visscher, A. J., & Wild, P. 2001) the three could equally look into the future of education and its trends based on computer literacy and illiteracy as well. They laid a vivid focus on the element of management of the schools based on the concept of information technology. In fact, it is quite simple that if the education affairs are inculminated and integrated with information technology then the probability of cherishing and championing the educational goals will be one. With the help of a critical synthesis on the educational perspectives, failure or poor performance could be as a result of inadequacy of the fundamental basics of technology such computer assistance, whereby most of the learning is done online. On the same note they realized that most students could not access some online materials simply because they could not be able to access computers with internet connection.
(http://wikieducator.org)/Need and importance of information technology in education is one of the articles researched out in order to shade light on the darkened issues of education under the aspect of information technology. The researchers discovered that IT was very important because with it the education goals and objectives could easily be met. The major target is to cherish and champion the educational set goals and policies. There was a strong connection between education and information technology hence, giving it an upper hand in ensuring and recording positive progress. As well as Khosrow-pour 2003, the organizational structure of the education sector is a clear reflector of the essence of information technology. It is meant in such a manner to ensure the top management is well networked with the juniours especially in matters concerning educations. Surprisingly, this is a life tme process because education itself is an endless process. Actually, it keeps on revolving and evolving with speed hence, calling for IT ideologies and solutions to the possible education problems.
Maryam Alavi, Youngjin Yooand Douglas R. Vogel (2003) using of information technology to add value to education management. Authentically, management of education is not an easier task as many people may perceivei it and this is because there is much to be attributed to the discpline itself. These reseacher realized that the top management were going through rough moments during the deliberation and deligation of duties. It was seemingly valueless to employ the outdated and bygone techniques in handling the education matters. However, whit the help of information technology, the field of education is now experiencing postive results and the general performance of students is on the rise. For example, currently most students are able to read and learn online hence, adding more value to their studies. In fact, it adds flavor on their studies as they get to learn and gain more skills thus the educatonal expertise.
(Paul legris et al, 2003) why do people need information technology is one of the best articles, which ellaborates and explains on the possible reasons as to why information technology is of greater value especiallyon this kind of twenty first century whereby everything has gone digital. The researcher lay a critical analysis on the possible outcomes of technological applicability. They also lay emphasis on the effects of not adopting the new technological concepts especially in running the educational affairs. Based on clear terms, the concept of technology needs to be effected with speed in order not to remain on analogue platforms, which are seemingly tiresome and misleading. Actually, the digital platform save time hence, being time conscious as opposed to the analogue version of dong things. For example, with the help of labtops, tablets and smartphones education has been made easier for many students hence, making many to learn and gather alot of knowledge within the shortest time possible. Teachers too are able to analyze their learning materials in soft copies thus making them readily available for students and online learners.
(Nigel Melville, 2015) conducted a research on the information technology and organizational performance whereby he discovered that IT has got a bigger role and responsibility in ensuring the educational sector remains systematic without further interruptions especially from the external forces on the ground. Order and punctuality is crowned by the help of information technology. For instance, the arrangement of school files in soft copies could be cheaper and faster as compared to hard copies, which involves alot of writing and noting down into books. Equally, the hard copies can easily be destroyed but with soft copies, some information can be easily retrieved if it was stored in the internet.
Information and Communication Technology and Education (1997) information technology and education is an article, which was put forward by () giving a powerful expalnation on how the three concepts of IT and education coordinate inorder to enhance, facilitate and promote better performance. This article focuses on a case study based on the nigerian education policies. In fact, the researcher gives the reasons as to why Nigeria is one of the states in Africa with many learned people andthis is because education has been given prority among the basics. However, there are many challenges especially from primary schools whereby many pupils do not get access to computers hence, making the whole process vulnerable to the next academic levels such high schols and colleges.
(Dorothy E. Leidner and Sirkka L. Jarvenpaa, 1995) culture in information technology has been the biggest trend in the globe as compared to these other cultures. This is because with IT life seems to be very promising and besides it minimizes on the risks people used to take in long gone periods. The ressearchers discovered that many people especially the youth have taken an upper hand in embracing the swift culture specifically in their academics. They are now able to freely share online materials thus the high and better performance.Dorothy E. Leidner (2006) equally she discovere the essense of nformation technology in the field of eduction especially in support of the teachers and the entire school fraternity.
Factors affecting teachers' use of information and communications technology (2000) gives a vivid analysis on the major vectors towards the element of information technology. It was discovered that most teachers were facing the internet challenging problems especially with running some software in ensuring security. Also it was oneof the biggest challenges on the student side as many could not differentiate the most recent and outdated technologies in terms of education matters. However, the computer traning lessons and internet connectivity translated to positivity in the education trends hence, its sustainability and better performance.
Sythesis matrix:Information technology in Education
Main ideas Voogt Fung et al Nigel et al Dorothy Paul et al
Impact of IT in education Most schools are able to access online materials.
Students are able to take on their assignements online hence, quickening the study period. School administrators are able to manage schools in a digital maner.
The school records and histories are now easily available to the public. Organizational structure clearly spelled out.
The education sector executives can easily deligate duties since the school structure is quite clear. Teacher-student relations improved.
A platform for academic sharing hence, improved student performance. Online learning now made available.
Enhanced and facilitated international relations thus fostering international ideologies.
Challenges of IT in schools Low packages of computer literacy thus slow learning process especially for sstudents. The school date can easily be manipulated because one server. Most schools lack the basics of computer know-how thus slow adoptions. Privacy and security has been compromised because teacher-student sharing has taken roots. Some students are unable to access the online materials because of poor/lack of internet connectivity.
Conclusion:Conclusively, most researchers have put forth and explained ellaboratively on the element of information technology on the education sector. Actually, some of them agree on most aspects of IT as some deviate from the norms and this is evident from their summative arguments based on their research. However, it is recommendable that information technology should be enhanced and facilitated in schools so as to uplift the performance standards of schools in all education levels especially in the near future.
