In the modern world, information and communication technology has become an extremely vital element. It has become the driving force to any sector that has embraced growth. Information and communication technology have become compulsory to every sector aspiring for growth. One of the sectors that have embraced the use of information and communication technology is the education sector. There are various methods through which education may absorb the use of information and communication technology. For these methods to succeed, all the parties involved must indicate their interest in the idea. This means that parents must support the idea teachers must be ready to employ the new system and students must uphold the meaning of technology and be ready to learn about the new system. However, information and communication technology may succeed in this sector through various ways that must be implemented.
The first and a major step is to train teachers as an extremely fundamental tool for education under improved information and communication technology. For effective learning through modern technology teachers must have adequate understanding of information and communication technology. For effective training, it is vital for the trainee to understand what is being taught to him or her. This means that the trainer must have a full understanding of the lesson he or she is obliged to undertake. Technology calls for comprehensive training, which has to be emphasized to the trainer. The government may prepare teachers in various ways. Seminars for teachers may be scheduled to prepare them for adoption of a new system in the education system of the country. The government may also employ exceptional trainers for each school to empower every school with a trainer for teachers (Baker & Neil, 1994). This will allow clear understanding for the new system among teachers. This indicates that even students will access adequate information for the new system f education.
Books are known to be the most significant tools of education. There have always been cases that not all students can afford textbooks. This may be extremely influential to the performance for various students who may not afford books. However, through modern technology the situation may be changes. Technology has transformed the access methods for books. It allows access for e-books. This refers to electronic books, which may be accessed through computers which are connected to the internet. These books are not as expensive as physical books. A school may need to purchase one book, but through the internet the book may be shared among students in the entire class. This makes it cheap for parents as they need to purchase a computer for their children, but the machine may assist the student for the rest of his or her life in school (Harel, 1991). It also makes it enjoyable for students to study as it poses a chance for them to conduct research on the new topic and confirm whatever they may be doubtful about the new topic.
The other tool that may be extremely fundamental in making education in terms of information and communication technology successful is through linking the school system with a system that may be accessible to students at any point. An outstanding example of this system is the Cyber Home Learning System (CHLS). This is a platform created for all students and involves all elements that are used to govern the wellbeing of a community. This is system is interlinked among all students in such a way that every student may have access to it any time. It is programmed in such a manner that it involves the entire curriculum for an education system. This tool creates a discussion platform where students can share ideas on different topics. This is an avenue where the teacher may engage students in an analysis that may initiate an extremely helpful discussion to induce incentive thoughts that may be extremely informative (Neil & Perez, 2003).
The other tool that should be compulsory for every student is a personal computer. As time elapses, computers are becoming cheaper. The computer industry has realized the significance of computers in daily activities of human beings. Therefore, they have developed computers depending on the favorable properties for an individual. For example, they have manufactured laptops which are easily portable and extremely fundamental for students. The price they sell these computers are affordable to almost everyone. Therefore, it would be easy for students to access these products since their parents may find these machines cheap. Once in the hands of student, a laptop is extremely fundamental. It poses intensive merits to the student. He or she may carry it to school and back with it home later. This means that the student can carry assignment from school to home (Neil & Perez, 2003). This makes it easy for a student to handle a lot of assignment which may be assigned to him, or her by the teacher since he or she has access to research materials through the internet.
With adverse investment in technology for education, a lot of merits may be realized. One of the main advantages that may be realized is improved performance among students. With everyday access to the internet and massive educational software, there are chances that a student will acquire massive knowledge. Most of the information that students acquire through the computer may be used to make them better in class or equip them with a new skill that may improve their performance in school (Koschmann, 1996).
Technology encourages innovation. Once a student becomes exposed to a lot of information through the internet he or she may come up with new ideas, which may transform the world. Technological advancement is the aim of the globe. Therefore, any innovation by a student will be highly upheld. It will be motivational to all students who may be wishing to become innovators. Improved technology means improved livelihood among society members. An innovation may not only assist the innovator, but it may impact the entire society through various ways (Harel, 1990). This is a guarantee for a developing world.
However, there are disadvantages that may result from technology in education. One of the main challenges is overreliance in computers. Making use of computers for a long time poses a challenge to users. A computer is programmed in such a manner that it can perform of the tasks that a student may wish to undertake. This may make the student rely on the computer for the most basic things that he or she may have done without the computer. Becoming over-reliant in the computer may erode personal strengths, which may be extremely useful when the user may not be near his or her computer (Harel, 1991).
The other challenge is the excess exposure of young individuals to the internet. This is the home for all elements. Students are curious and may want to learn new things every day. Therefore, they may use the internet to search for extremely sensitive information such as pornography which may expose them to moral erosion (Baker & Neil, 1994). However, this may be controlled by blocking sensitive sites in their computers.
It is clear that modern education is reliable on information and communication technology. The government in collaboration with education systems may adopt technology in education as a process to add value to education and empower students with the modern technology. This poses students to adverse merits as well as demerits of technology.
References
Baker, E. L., & Neil, H. F.,1994.,Technology assessment in education and training. Hillsdale, N.J.: L. Earlbaum Associates.
Harel, I.,1990., Constructionist learning: a 5th anniversary collection of papers reflecting research reports, projects in progress, and essays. Cambridge, Mass.: Media Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Harel, I.,1991., Software design as a learning environment: children's construction of ways for learning and knowing mathematics in a computer-rich school. Norwood, N.J.: Ablex.
Koschmann, T. D.,1996., CSCL, theory and practice of an emerging paradigm. Mahwah, N.J.: L. Erlbaum Associates.
Neil, H. F., & Perez, R. S., 2003.,Technology applications in education: a learning view. Mahwah, N.J.: L. Erlbaum Publishers.
