The usage of internet in the classroom has raised concerns in schools. Through the internet, students learn freely and get a platform to exchange their ideas. However, the use of internet has been associated with certain negativities. The internet is not a safe and secure environment considering that students copy and share files, which causes danger and mischief among the users. In schools, these challenges can be solved by the network security admin through the introduction of software that monitors the information transferred from servers to the users in schools. Introduction of a firewall is significant in this scenario as it inhibits submitting certain information online around the school environment. The data published and posted on a website can be limited through the introduction of the web publishing instructions. Involvement of parents in the project in schools is important because they monitor. The matter on internet usage in schools can also be solved through the signing of students’ agreement that displays all the students who violate the rules set. Despite the disadvantages, internet usage in classrooms makes the students to be competitive and the teaching process interesting.
The assessment of students in schools can be done through introduction of software that takes samples on what students do and draw inferences from the samples that have been taken. Technology is used as a tool to assess students. Hereby, technology refers to methods and materials that do not depend on machines. These include; computer software, computer assisted learning, networks, hypertext, scientific visualization and computer software packages. Technology is preferred in assessment of students because; students learn new skills through technology, and it is more efficient than oral presentations. Technology alternates with human mind to make sound decisions with regard to assessment. Technological assessment in schools can be applied in subjects such as; Geography, Psychology, Biology, Mathematics, statistics and engineering. In the fields of medicine and dentistry, students gain from the special knowledge of picture based materials, which are used to stimulate the real life situations.
Technology is further applied in the recording of marks whereby most tutors keep the record of marks on a spreadsheet, and others require students to submit word-processed assignments. They also use hypermedia, video, hypertext and multimedia applications to assess the academic works of the students. Multimedia packages are important in this context because the can represent huge amounts of information. It is an advantage to the tutor as he or she can access the work of the students in an innovative and interesting way. In learning institutions, the tutors use two types of assessments. These include; formative assessment, and summative assessment. Summative assessment determines the achievement of students at the end of a course whereas; formative assessment determines the progress of students during the learning process to enable a feedback from the person doing the assessment. Technology is applied using computers, to facilitate both types of assessments.
Technological assessment by computers involves two main ways. The first assessment involves students learning through computers. This is a fast way of assessment. The teachers do not take a lot of time grading the students as the computer score the students’ work as it takes the assessment. This is a convenient method as of does not involve human beings who are biased. The limitations of using computers in assessment are that they require tests that have multiple choices. This is because computers cannot judge written answers. Technology alone cannot be used to assess students because; it cannot judge written answers including the projects. The teacher should implement other forms of technological assessment.
Use of technology in learning institutions has limitations to both the teachers and students. Some of the teachers and students develop a negative attitude towards the technology because they are not good users of the computer. This affects the learning process negatively. In order to enhance communication in a classroom, the first and the most critical step involves formation of a class website. A class website is important because through it, useful information is passed to all the students of a certain class, who require it urgently. It is also important as it serves the external non-students who require the information.
