Research Proposal Example

The Effect of Computer Assisted Learning on Student’s Performance

Computer has a great role in modern life. Computer education has become vital because the use of computer has already reached almost all walks of life. As we go through the 21st century, we must accept the fact of an inevitable computer revolution in the near future. It is the cornerstone of development, as demonstrated by other countries. The computer has become such an important instrument in doing one’s activities that it is already a part of our lives. The society is gradually accepting the fact that computers will, indeed, change the manner in which things get done. They really substantially save valuable man-hours by helping people through communication, in every routine activity, in almost all institutions everywhere.

One thought can take place in our minds, for a moment, is that the computer is already the great teacher. But we should fully accept that it is a fact of life and is radically changing the way in which the teaching/learning process takes place.

Information dissemination and contacts with people all over the world, has already been linked to computers. In seeking a job nowadays, emphasis is placed on having knowledge of the computer and knowhow to use it as well. Calculation and tasks involving statistical data are easier using computers. One thing that could more sustain the utility of the computer is access to the internet. The internet helps to bind people, even in distant places. Today, with the help of the internet, businesses are already reaching customers wherever they are.

The increasing importance of using the computer led to its introduction in education. Teachers, nowadays, are required to undergo training before teaching it to students. The use of computers in education is really a great thing for today’s generation. Many universities and colleges worldwide are already offering courses online. Many people have questioned the reliability of these online courses that are being offered by these schools and the danger of compromising the quality of education. The fact is that these students already do their school work at home. But, some thoughts aside, they have to take advantage of technological advances or risk being left behind their peers, because they will actually be compromising their education. Many students have already opted to choose this way of learning, especially those who can’t come up to their traditional universities and colleges. The reality is that they can also learn and obtain their diploma, without any disturbances from any external sources and activities during, or after, their school hours online. Parents who want to study, despite being busy raising their children, are also finding this accessible and very helpful without affecting their parenting role.

It seems like an obvious decision to take the online class, which is the same as the classes offered by some prestigious schools and universities, without the bother of going to the campus, re-scheduling and being late, and to sometimes miss classes due to environmental forces. Schools, all over the world, are already equipped with computers for students’ use. Teachers teach them basic programs like Microsoft word, power point, excel and publisher, and as they progress along the grade levels, they will then learn more advanced lessons regarding computer use. Teachers also provide film viewing and let the students do their feedback, or reviews, afterward. According to Tan, the use of computer strategies in teaching is very effective and very interesting to students as well. These technological tools have improved learning materials, lesson planning, curriculum design and course management, because we can’t deny the fact that most possible ways to deliver education are already found in a computer.

Online classes are certainly a part of educational technology and have made a huge impact on our organization. In our situation, we provide online classes to students. The educational centre has developed some online classes; others are available, by subscription, from resources like Adobe. The advantages of online classes are reasonably obvious. Rather than travelling to the class, the class comes to the student via the Internet. Saucers and Walker (2004) noted the following factors.

The advantages and disadvantages of online education have been debated in all disciplines, and at all levels, of the university. Business communication scholars recognize that online learning offers opportunities to reach populations that would, otherwise, not have access to higher education (McEwen, 2001). Shy students often participate in online discussions when they would not speak up in class (Bowman, 2001). The influence of gender, ethnicity, age and other factors that play a role in face-to-face communication, is reduced (Bowman, 2001).

The greatest disadvantage of an online class is missing the energy and interaction within the classroom. E-mail communication will never have the same impact, nor generate the same energy, as the intercourse of a regular classroom. Delayed feedback, from both teachers and fellow students, is far less motivating than the immediate response of classes on the ground. Because students are expected to spend similar amounts of time with on ground classes as with online classes, classroom discussions and exchanging ideas are replaced by reading assignments and writing papers.

Computers and the Internet make up the largest general change in education technology. So perhaps it would be better if education process combines the traditional education and the online education. Presentations, or visual aids supporting lectures, have also been substantially changed by technology. Demonstrations of computer techniques, done live on a computer projector, are extremely helpful. They can be used in the class sessions. As software becomes increasingly more sophisticated and complex, the learning curve becomes more complex as well. The ability to watch the steps in a software procedure projected live, and be able to follow along on a lab computer, makes learning much easier to understand and even entertaining.

Software, like PowerPoint, allows teachers to create their own professional looking presentations. After a teacher has gained some experience using PowerPoint, presentations can be created very quickly. Images to supplement the presentation can easily be scanned in from magazines and other image sources, making them absolutely up-to-date. (If scanned material is used for educational purposes, teachers are protected from copyright infringement suits by “Fair Use” copyright laws.) The only negative aspect of presentations supported by current technology, that I am aware of, is how it is used. PowerPoint presentations are so easy to make that some teachers are tempted to use them as a script. Simply reading the text of each slide, without any additional information, or discussion, creates an environment that is more conducive to sleeping than participating.

Communication with the students between classes is very important, if there is a session only once a week. E-mail on the Internet is an excellent avenue for the student to e-mail or moodle their instructor for comments. Face to face contact and class critiques once a week are fine, but additional comments on projects in progress, via the Internet, give students full access to the input a tutor can provide.

Computer technologies have transformed the work and work environment in many other sectors of society. They have, and will continue to have the power to create new business formats, products and services, to improve access to information and communication.

Computers offer substantial benefits even to young children and their development and to families as a whole. At the right age, a computer is a wonderful thing that every child deserves to have. Accordingly, if a family can afford a computer without sacrificing other important, traditional childhood experiences, then this environment should contain a computer set-up that can be accessed as easily as books and other playthings, and integrated into the family’s day-to-day activities in a natural way.

References

The Importance of Computer Technology In Education Essay http://www.ukessays.com
Tan, Cresteta, 2003, Nursing Informatics, “Computer in education” Kalayaan Press Marketing INC, 58. Kalayaan, Diliman, QC.