The use of information technology in schools has increased the digital divide, which is an increasingly serious issue for education. Students from low-income families are less likely to complete their homework with a computer, which further compounds socioeconomic disparities. In 2009, nearly seven out of 10 teachers assigned homework that required the use of the Internet. These assignments often put students behind in class, resulting in disadvantaged socioeconomic and educational outcomes. Further, these students are more likely to live in rural areas where access to computers and the Internet is limited. These disadvantages hinder long-term success for students.
As a result, many schools are beginning to redesign their learning environments. With the use of technology in education, teachers can implement a new model of teaching where students can engage in a more collaborative environment. They can also encourage more interaction between students, including small-group work and collaborative projects.
As IT-based teaching and learning programs become more common, more traditional methods of education will be replaced. Higher-ed institutions will have to spend more money to implement new information technology, which will create new markets for educational products and services. This will improve the quality of education. The demand for IT-based teaching programs is expected to grow exponentially over the next decade.
While many education experts claim that the technology has improved education, there are also some who say that it has degraded it. While it is true that many students can access information that would otherwise be impossible to access. In addition to reducing the interaction between teachers and students, technology can also allow students to cheat without getting caught.
Information technology can give access to a huge volume of information. As more advanced IT systems become available, students will be able to navigate through vast quantities of information. For example, they will be able to access the Library of Congress online and view paintings in any museum in the world. Previously, access to information was restricted to libraries. However, in the future, the same access will be available on a networked desktop whenever and wherever the user desires. However, it will affect the user’s sense of control over the information they access.
Another possible outcome is an adaptive scenario whereby universities and colleges adopt an IT-based perspective to maximize the use of information technology. Faculty and staff will look at research-teaching balance, develop operationally meaningful teaching objectives, and study the comparative advantage of IT and human intermediation. This will lead to increased learning productivity and a reduction in tuition costs.
The widespread use of information technology in schools and homes is creating a number of challenges for children’s development and health. Using technology in education is not just a matter of increasing educational standards, but of improving access to quality education. It may also help children and their families navigate complicated school systems.
Check our academic programs here.
