CTE 216 Research
Middle East Technical University Northern
Cyprus Campus, Cyprus
e173138@metu.edu.tr
Abstract. In that research, I handle Information
Technology generally. In details, my main subject will be information
technology in education. In this point, I will try to mention how can we use IT
in education, how can we benefit from it and what advantages do we have instead
of using traditional teaching and textbooks.
1
Information Technology
1.1
A brief Information About
Information Technology
We use “Information Technology” or “IT” to
refer to entire industry. In reality, Information Technology means the use of computers and software to operate
our information. Some companies use different words to refer Information
Technology which are Management Information Services (or MIS) and Information
Services (or IS).
1.2
Popular Information Technology
skills
·
Computer Networking
·
Information Security
·
IT Governance
·
ITIL
·
Business Intelligence
·
Linux
·
Unix
·
Project Management
2
Information Technology in
Education
From the past when computers and multimedia
devices started to be more useful and popular until now, IT is becoming more
and more important for education. The development of the new technologies has
had really powerful effects on how people live, work, and play worldwide. The
emerging technologies had changed traditional way of teaching and learning, and
the way education is managed. Information Technology, not only has an important
role on the area of study, but also has an essential role in curriculum area.
3
The Evolution of Information
Technology in Education
3.1
Information Technology in
Education in The Past
One thousand years ago, education was
dominated by only the spoken word. History and traditions were transferred from
one generation to next one just in the form of stories. Just few areas were
able to read or write. Books were man-made and only available for the richest. Thereby,
the invention of the printing press had a very important role in education.
Forwhy, books became available for schools, teachers and students.
The modern reform in information technology
started approximately thirty years ago with the common use of the small
computers. During this time, supporters of information technology had
experienced many achievements. Across the globe, computers are omnipresent in
nearly a fashion. The internet and World Wide Web have changed the way of
communication and made simple and complex communications available to millions
of people.
3.2
Information Technology in
Education Now
In the last few years, in Turkey, lots of
schools gave tablet PC to their students. These tablets have the student’s
books and text books in there. Thus, Information technology is directly
connected with schools, teachers and students now in Turkey.
In Pakistan, government gave much more
importance to information technology in education in the 2000’s. Lots of
information technology educational institutes opened and IT professionals are
hired to teach their knowledge at universities. Across the country IT seminars,
forums, exhibitions and competitions are being ordered to create IT
deliberativeness among the people. Computer as a subject has been introduced in
schools.
3.3
Information Technology in
Education in Future
Information technology is getting more and
more popular all over the world. IT may take the place of the textbooks in
schools. The benefits of this are important. One of them is connectivity. With
technology, teachers and student can stay in contact after their school ours.
Even nowadays, lots of teacher and student have smart phones and tablet PCs.
Yet, this situation can be seen just universities and colleges. In the future,
we probably will see public schools have a technology in the same way.
The other advantage is saving the nature.
Climate is unfortunately getting worse day by day. Our forests are burned or
cut by people. If information technology becomes more popular in worldwide, we
can save much our nature because we will start to use technological devices
rather than textbooks which are made from tree and wood.
After general use of information
technology, instructors and learners can stay in touch each other. For example,
if a learner has a question to ask his/her instructor, s/he doesn’t have to
wait for school time to ask the question. At home or dormitory, they can connect
each other with video conference and learner can ask the question. In the same
way, instructor can explain face to face the explanation of the question. For
all of these, information technology has to become more popular in usage.
4
Information Technology For
Lifelong Learning
Education itself is a lifelong process
therefore anytime and anywhere access to it is an essential need. At this
point, information technology assumes a big role. There is lots of advantage of
IT for lifelong learning process.
“Technology can make lifelong learning a
reality” is in a nutshell presented the North American point of view. With
electronic tools, everybody can learn anytime and anyplace they choose.
UNESCO’s “Policy
Paper for Change and Development in Higher Education” forces higher education
institutions to use advantages which are offered by the advancements of
communication technologies so that "each university should become an open
university offering possibilities for distance learning and learning in various
points in time."
References:
Web Sites:
E-Books-Articles:
·
Information Technology and
Education – W.R. Muir (http://www.eolss.net/Sample-Chapters/C11/E1-12-05-09.pdf)
·
Information Technology in
Education: The Need for Skepticism – C. D. Maddux
(http://www.sicet.org/journals/ijttl/issue0902/7_Maddux.pdf)
·
Information Technology in
Pakistan – Chapter 3
(http://prr.hec.gov.pk/Chapters/464S-3.pdf)
