|
notjustinfo.com |
||
|
|
Knowledge centre for MBA students. |
|
|
|
e-Revolution in the classroom Nisha Jose ALORS! ALORS! The e-Educator
has arrived thereby heralding the advent of Web Education. New ways have
always been sought to capture the attention of students and create active learning
environments where minds are engaged and interests nurtured. To this end Web
Education is the next chapter in the education system. Classroom education
need no longer be restricted to blackboard lessons. A world of knowledge is
just a few clicks away. Run on the Internet, it complements and contributes
to the present education system. Although it is too early to predict the
impact of this emerging technology but it harbours a huge potential to
revolutionise education. So Internet
technology must be given a chance to enrich education. The student community will benefit the most as they learn
through discovery and enquiry. Mindless cramming is a prominent feature in
the Indian education system because proficiency is usually measured by how
exactly the student can produce classroom notes on the answer sheet. The USP
of online pedagogy is that it is convenient. In other words it can be
utilised according to the user's time schedule. Assignments and projects need
not be dreaded anymore for lack of information or information sources. Other
students online can also discuss the problem on available forums. Digitised content aids in better and faster comprehension
and minimises the drudgery of particular subjects. Baffling theorems and
definitions can be better understood through this medium. Teaching online is
consistent and standardised in nature. Class size in a campus can be
generally very large and very few students can really interact with the
teacher during the class. The shy student who is afraid to hear his/her voice
above the others can shed his inhibitions and pose his doubts to the virtual
teacher. Counselors online can be sought for advice on any issue. Information
that is provided on a whole gamut of career options is quite exhaustive.
There are options to give vent to their creative talents of writing articles,
poems etc. and to chat or discuss with other students online thereby
fostering the growth of the student community. For teachers the Internet is an electronic gateway to
learning resources and experiences otherwise unavailable. Those who have
adopted this novel way of imparting knowledge are more likely to have
interactive sessions. Interaction comes only with understanding and with the
Internet assisting in comprehension, education becomes a wonderful
experience. The new technology works to lighten their workload and cut out
the repetitive portion of their jobs. With input from the Internet they can
look forward to teaching an eager student community. For parents zooming about on their busy schedules, with
scarcely enough time to catch up with their kids and goings-on in school, the
e-Educator has a solution. They can now attend Parent-Teacher meetings and
interact with teachers online. They can also vibe with other parents online and
share their views or solicit help whenever the situation demands so. There is
plenty of other information that they can use in directing their child's
future like online admission to schools, myriad career options (with details)
to choose from and expert advice on a wide range of issues. Obstacles existing in the move to popularize this medium
of education have also to be dealt with. Teachers are reluctant to adopt this
change either due to lack of interest or lack of resources. The private
sector can contribute by empowering teachers to face this technological
challenge in education. Poor PC penetration and connectivity are big barriers
as is a fragmented education system. For those students who do not possess
computers, storage and retrieval of data may be a time-consuming and
expensive process. The student may also be overwhelmed by the extensive flow
of information. A more prudent mechanism to filter the information must be
put in place. Critics also point out that this system may still leave
the rural child out in the cold, these children may not have entered school
premises even by accident. While this is a reality we cannot afford to
ignore, progress cannot be shelved for this sake. Online learning or
machine-based interactive education is nothing but an attempt to enrich what
exists. The competitors in this arena are vying with each other to provide
more and better services to their target audience with efforts to facilitate
better transmission and wider coverage. The winds are perceptibly shifting.
Computer-based learning appears to foster a desire in students to make their
best efforts since it is interactive and makes learning fun. And success is desired for all students! |
|