Globalisation and Technology, these are two very familiar phenomena of modern world. Together, these have leaded us to such an era of luxuries and comfort that now, no one can imagine life without these technological gadgets which have made our lives much relieved. What started as only a blurred vision in the start of previous century has now became a necessity for all mankind. Leaving the inventions of radio, telephone cables, television far behind; today is the modern era of computer technology, optical fibers and the integrated electronic circuits or silicon chips which are embedded in all electronic devices. This sudden invoke of technological advancements that yielded towards the global use of technology and internet which have changed the face of the world entirely. Although technology was not in much use in the field of education and in academics, yet its importance in this factor cannot be denied. There is an enormous amount of knowledge, wisdom and information that was brought by the sudden and rapid growth in technology in the field of education.
The role of education is considered vital for everyone in today’s advancing world. There have been new and more technologies get developed day by day, and without having basic and proper education, no one can even think of utilizing from these technological gadgets. Educational institutes all around the world are equipped with latest facilities to provide quality education to children so that they become a beneficial part of the society. Today, learners, teachers and students of every grade get benefit from the wealth of information provided over internet and groom their academics with the passage of time. Since information continues to grow exponentially, educational institutes cannot confine their activities just to imparting a ‘prescribed set of knowledge’. Now, both instructors and learners are required to be kept updated about the latest information on the related subjects. Hence, the educational institutes now need to promote a culture of “learning to learn”, i.e., enabling students to go through a continuous process of learning throughout their lives for acquisition of knowledge, skills and attitude. This new learning culture has been greatly promoted by the use of “information and communication technology ICT tools”, which are defined as “a diverse set of technological tools and resources used to communicate, and to create, disseminate, store, and manage information” (Ramesh 2003). These ICT tools can play their parts in improving the effectiveness and efficiency of our education systems and in assessment of student’s learning. According to TLTP Project ALTER 1993, “The two main uses of technology in the assessment process are identified as: using technology to perform the actions and cognitive processes a tutor would employ to arrive at a grade, and using technology to aid the assessment process” (Bull 1993).
If we take a look at pre-schools and academic institutes for kids less than five, it would become evident that the use of technology has been integrated in such small age. This would help both the instructor and learner since the learner become able to define things in an explicit and interesting manner instead of adapting the traditional reading and writing methodology. Also, children take interest in visual animations more than what is simply described by the instructor, and they become able to differentiate between colors and things more easily. In this modern era of 21st century, educational institute must integrate the information and communication technology ICT tools since the new generation is being surrounded and growing in the realm of digital media. Use of ICT tools has now been so widespread in schools that it has completely transformed the mode of learning and teaching. Now, education cannot be imagined without the use of multimedia; which contain graphical and visual slides so as to make the process of learning more interesting and effective. Use of ICT tools has been considered very effective in language learning too; hence pre-schools adapting such techniques are highly beneficial for the children of such small age whose learning process has just been started. The more instructors use technology, the more they recognize and value its positive effects on student learning and engagement. In this way, the child get used to with the modern technology in early age and become self sufficient in achieving his/her educational goals (Selwyn, Gorard and Furlong 2006).
As far as instructors’ use of technology is concerned, it is both for the assessment of students’ learning abilities as well as for delivering them the desired knowledge. The use of multimedia has now become common in class rooms, in which the instructor takes help from certain software and delivers the student the knowledge and information regarding their course. The students learning can be accessed by both the formative assessment and summative assessment. Formative assessments are those which regard with student’s improvisation of learning abilities by adopting certain methods. Such assessments usually carry no grade points as these are assigned to every student differently. On the other hand, the summative assessments are usually grade assignments, term papers, exams, projects etc which are used to evaluate student learning by awarding points or marks for the respective subject or session. Such assessments are not unique and are given to judge the process of learning on the whole. In both formative assessment and summative assessment techniques, the use of technology can play a big role in enhancing student’s learning abilities. Since technology has now become a main ingredient of the curriculum and pedagogy; hence several technological projects and software can be used for student’s assessment of learning. Teachers can use technology for grading and calculating system, such as by asking students to write blogs about their daily activities and to define their own weak areas. The greater use of technology is in summative assessment since teachers use computer operated softwares in order to grade students (Mellon 2012).
Many scholars are of the view that teachers must use technology based assessment methods like assigning different programming projects, making of a short documentary etc so that they can judge student’s abilities in a better and modernized way. Such techniques are far better than the traditional essay or report writings as these reflect student’s practical abilities and the assessment becomes easier for the teacher. Technology improves the authenticity and originality of the work that ensures learning outcomes for the students. Hence teachers can make it clear to the students that their projects are assessed fairly and no one can be deprived of his minimal effort. Also, students take more interest in technology based assessments as compare to the traditional methods; hence they are motivated towards deeper learning and better results (Gibbs and Simpson 2004). However, it is suggested that the traditional methods of assessment should not be ignored completely and should be adapted in collaboration with the implementation of ICT tools. Actually these traditional approaches are a set of precious experiences by the educators which they can use along with modern techniques in order to equip the children fully with the armors of knowledge and wisdom (Anderson et. Al, 2005).
Hence to conclude, it would be right to say that it is the world of technology, so we must keep abreast ourselves with all of latest technological innovations that are coming our way, because these are there to serve us and to make our lives easier and comfortable. These help us in achieving our desired grades and educational degrees and serve us multi-purposely. Further, internet provides us a wealth of knowledge more or less than our academic needs, through which we become able to get as many knowledge as we could. Globalization and technology both have helped the world achieving that particular status which cannot even imagine by someone two to three decades earlier. Therefore, new and emerging technologies must be incorporated into educational systems so as to facilitate both learners and instructors in their path of knowledge.
Works Cited
Anderson, J., Semenov, A., Pereverzev, L., & Bulin-Sokolova, E. (2005). Information and communication technologies in schools: A handbook for teachers, or how ICT can create new, open learning environments. Paris: Unesco.
Billings, E., Mathison, C. (2012). I get to use an iPod in school? Using technology-based advance organizers to support the academic success of English learners. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 21(4), 494-506. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10956-011-9341-0
Bull, J. (1993). Using Technology to Assess Student Learning. TLTP Project ALTER
Daly, J. (2012). How Technology Is Powering Academic Success. ED Tech. Retrieved from <http://www.edtechmagazine.com/higher/article/2012/10/how-technology-powering-academic-success-infographic> May 26, 2013
Gibbs, G. & Simpson, C. (2004). Conditions under which assessment supports students learning. Learning and Teaching in Higher Education. Issue 1.
Mellon, C. What is the difference between formative and summative assessment? Retrieved from <http://www.cmu.edu/teaching/assessment/basics/formative-summative.html> May 26, 2013
Ramesh, C. (2003). Information technology, Evolution of information and communication technologies. Delhi: Kalpaz Publications. Bottom of Form
Selwyn, N., Gorard, S., Furlong, E. (2006). Adult Learning in the Digital Age. New York,NY: Routledge.
