Monday, April 1, 2013

EDUCATION VIA INTERNET



INTERNET
  • Internet is a huge collection of computer networks that can be communicated with each other.
  • This word is coined from the word ‘interconnection’ and ‘network’.
  • Through this, each computer user can communicate and share common resources with other users.
WORLD WIDE WEB (WWW)
  • WWW is a vast collection of documents stored on internet computers.
  • It was invented by Tim-Burner-Lee.
  • It provides easy access to information.
  • It is a system of media rich documents spread across the internet, linked with each other through related topics.
  • WWW documents contain texts, pictures, sound, video, etc.
Web Sever    : It is a programme and a computer clubbed into one entity which responds to the requests from web   browsers for internet resources.Eg:- Yahoo, Google.
Web Browser : It is a programme that allows a user to display and interact with a ‘hyper text’ documents.Eg:- Internet explorer, Net Scape navigator.
Home Page   : Home page is the first hypertext document to be shown when a user follows a link to the web server.
Search engines: Special tool to search for information on the net.Eg:- AltaVista, Yahoo, Google.
Website           : A collection of related pages on particular information.
Web Page       : It is a file of information stored on a web server.
INTERNET EDUCATION (USES)
  • Internet education provides the following.
  • Distribution of information.
  • Dissemination of information.
  • Need based instruction.
  • E-mail system.
  • Surfing facilities (checking out the sites on the web).
  • E-commerce (Buying and selling over the net).
Thus,   Internet education,
  • Increases the efficiency,
  • Effectiveness and
  • Competitiveness.
INTERNET AS MASS MEDIA
  • Internet (International Network) is a means of communication for the masses.
  • It follows all the elements of mass media.
  • The size of the audience of internet is enormous like any other mass media.
  • It is focused on the public people and their needs and interest.
  • It helps the industrial world by providing information regarding market conditions.
  • It also provides matrimonial pages and services.
  • It communicates the latest development in different fields.
  • In short, it provides information to various age groups, educational groups and economic groups.
      The content of the material downloaded from the internet may be of three types.
1 .Entertainment; like music, movie, etc.
2. Information ; on art, science, trade, etc.
3. Orientation  ; to public events, issues, etc.
E-mail studies
  • E-mail implies electronic mail.
  • User must have a personal address (e-mail account).
  • There are various sites free of cost.
E.g.:- Yahoo.com, hotmail.com
How to have an e-mail account in Yahoo.com?
  • Open the browser.
  • Go to the site by typing on the location.
  • Click on e-mail link.
  • Click on ‘sign-up here’ button.
  • An acceptance form will be displayed; go through it and click on ‘I accept’ button.
  • If you accept, an entry form will be displayed.
  • Enter all information.
  • After filling up all the information, click on ‘submit this form’ button.
  • If everything is correct, ‘Yahoo will welcome and congratulate you.
How to handle incoming e-mails?
  • Open the browser
  • Go to the site.
  • Click on e-mail button.
  • Enter your e-mail address and password.
  • Click on ‘sign in’ or press ‘enter’ button.
  • Various buttons like compose, send, forward, reply will be displayed.
  • To see the e-mail, click on ‘inbox’.
  • Mail can be read by double clicking on that mail.
  • If you want to send an e-mail, click on compose button; enter ‘To address’.
  • Write the matter and click on ‘send’ button.
  • If you want to reply, click on reply button; write the matter and click on ‘send’ button.
  • If you want to forward the e-mail to someone, click on forward button; write ‘to address’, and click on ‘send’ button.
DISTANCE EDUCATION VIA INTERNET
  • In August 1997, Department of Computer Science at James Madison University (James Madison University (also known as JMU, Madison, or James Madison) is a public coeducational research university located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, U.S. Founded in 1908 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg, the university has undergone four name changes before settling with James Madison University) started a remote master programme with a concentration in information security.
  • This programme paved the way for distance education via internet.
  • Programmes are almost ‘Lecture less’.
  • Instructor meets the students only twice.
  • Just for introducing the course and For wrap up of the course and examination.
  • The remaining sessions are via internet with heavy emphasis on the use of e-mail.
  • Students access all the information through a website which contains the course description and the activities that the students need to perform.
  • Students can communicate with the instructor via telephone, fax or by any other means to clarify their doubts.
On Line Teaching.
  • The interactive web based teaching is known as on line teaching.
  • The materials for online teaching contain teaching, reviewing and testing components and can be delivered through website or from a central location.
  • This approach requires a modem, standard communication software and online information service account with an internet service provider.
Benefits of Online Teaching.
  • Reduces learning time.
  • Reduces cost.
  • Provides instructional consistency (not forgetting key points).
  • Provides privacy.
  • It ensures mastery of learning.
  • Increases retention power.
  • Increases motivation.
  • Increases the safety.
  • Increases accessibility.
INTERACTIVE DISTANCE LEARNING OVER THE INTRNET
  • Interactive distance learning provides learning through interaction from a remote distance.
  • Initially, the students attend large group instruction together.
  • Then disperses into groups of 15 for the small group portion and discussion.
  • A Small Group Instructor (SGI) is assigned to each group. He will guide them properly.
  • This small group analyses the text and tools themselves and produces new things by interacting with the text; then submits to the SGI.
  • SGI reviews and grades the product submitted by a particular group over the internet.
  • If satisfied with the terms and conditions, they can move to the next phase.
Steps of interactive Distance Learning
  • Analysis of the text and tools.
  • Development of course of action.
  • Analysis and comparison of course of action by SGI for grading.
 INTERACTIVE MULTIMEDIA          
 ‘Interactive multimedia is a computer delivered electronic system that allows the user to control, combine, and manipulate different types of media such as text, sound, video, graphics and animations’.
E.g.:- Most of the Games.
The user is required to activate, manipulate and respond to the presentation of instructional material.
The development of an interactive multimedia project involves three phases.
1.      Development of the information design.
2.      Development of interaction design; and
3.      Development of the final presentation design.
  • The last product should be reviewed for better results.
Non-Interactive Multimedia.
·                     Multimedia presentation in which audience just watch the show as it proceeds from the beginning to the end in a sequential manner is known as non-interactive multimedia.
Desktop Video Conferencing
  • It is a technique which uses computer mediated communication (CMC) to combine distance education and face to face instruction.
  • It offers online courses using computer mediated communication (CMC).
  • CMC happens in four ways;
1.                  One- alone techniques             (E.g.:-Information from e- books, e- journals).
2.                  One-to-one techniques            (E.g.:-From e-mail)
3.         One-to-many techniques         (E.g.:- Information from bulletin boards)
4.     Many-to-many techniques      (E.:- Interaction with project group through video conferences).
            These techniques facilitate three types of interaction.
1.                  Learner-content interaction.
2.                  Learner-instructor interaction.
3.                  Learner-learner interaction.
            Desktop video conferencing can be used in various on-line courses.
Interactive Technical Documentation
  • Technical documentation means the documentation through computers.
  • I t is an alternative way to keep huge volume of paper documents.
  • It allows to access large amounts of textual and visual data in an associative fashion.
  • Interactive technical documentation provides high degree of interactivity by using multimedia system.

POTENTIALITIES OF IT IN EDUCATION


How can we use IT in different Stages/ Levels of Education?
IT for Learning at Home (Before Primary Education)
  • Can be used for giving some ideas about basic things in education with the help of elders.
  • Intelligent toys can be used to get some elementary ideas about the concept of programming.
  • Elders can guide the children to operate touch –sensitive switches on television sets, to press the buttons of a pocket calculator.
IT in Primary Schools
  • Children’s computer awareness is slowly increasing as computers arrive in primary schools.
  • To get keyboard literacy.
  • To practice ‘mouse movements’.
  • To provide practice in problem solving techniques by giving logic games in computers.
  • For learning languages. (Especially in language laboratory).
  • Computer assisted learning can be used to create interest in learning.
  • Various types of discs can be used to create interests.
IT in Secondary Schools
  • Hardware and software training can be started.
  • For the preparation of course materials by using computers (E.g.:-Project and Assignment)
  • For improving literature. (E.g.:-Teachers can ask them to write a critique after seeing a cartoon).
  • For more advanced learning of languages.
  • Simulation through computers can be used for demonstrating experiments.
  • To provide interactive learning through multimedia and internet.
  • Opportunity for Online teaching (E.g.:-through EDUSAT)
  • Can be used for computer assisted learning projects.
  • Can be used for evaluation (Both for self and general evaluation).
IT in Teacher Training
  • Can be used for pre-service training for attaining better quality. (E.g.: to show model lessons).
  • For in-service training (E.g.:-Training on revised curriculum and evaluation system).
  • For orientation and refresher courses.
  • Awareness on computer application for guiding students in proper channels.
  • Can be used for evaluating the performances of trainees.
  • Can be used for training to select programmes for educational purposes.
            # Training for the selection and preparation of educational programmes can be at ‘3’ level.
§  Awareness level(3 or 4 days)
§  Expertisation level(one month)
§  Advanced level(3 month)
IT in Higher Education
  • Can be used for collecting learning materials.
  • For using online computer library centers.
  • Can access to the students of other universities.
  • Can be used for accessing to the experts in various fields.
  • Computer based simulation can be used in technical and engineering fields.
  • Can be used for cataloging in libraries.
  • Computer assisted learning materials can be used.
  • Internet service can be used for getting information from e-books, e-journals, etc.
  • For self evaluation.
IT in Vocational and Continuing Education
  • Computer based simulation can be used for making the training more effective. (Eg;-Simulatin in pilot training).
  • Online teaching opportunities (E.g.:-Through EDUSAT)
  • To interact with the experts in the various fields.
  • For sharing and accessing the ideas with other students.
  • Telecourses can be offered in the field of continuing education.
IT for Informal Learning for Adults
  • For providing awareness about health and medicines. (E.g.:-through multimedia presentation)
  • For providing awareness about sanitation.
  • For effective use of leisure time
  • Can be used for news services.                                                                                                           
  • Can be given awareness on the use of e-mail system.
  • Can be given awareness in e- commerce.
Computers for Storing Information and To Gather Stored Information
  • For keeping records.
  • For keeping cumulative records of students.
  • For keeping attendance and assessment.
  • For producing individual letters to parents.
  • For making students’ lists.
  • For preparing progress report.
Computers for Testing and Monitoring
  • Question banks can be stored and prepared.
  • For constructing tests (For random checking )
  • For the selection of questions (for classifying items).
  • For preparing blue print of question papers.
  • Can be used for printing the test items.
  • Can be used to select questions from question banks according to content, marks, objectives, etc.
  • For ‘adaptive testing’. (i.e., Depth of questions will be increased according to the depth of students).
  • For tabulation.
  • For obtaining statistical parameters such as mean, S.D., etc.
  • Can be used in item analysis of question paper.
Economics of use of IT in Education
  • More economical.
  • Needs only initial investment.
  • Information can be stored.
  • Reproduction is very easy.
  • Less risk.
  • Saves energy and time.
  • More perfection.
  • Printing of documents is very accurate and easy.
  • The problem of unavailability of materials can be solved. (e.g.:- a topic in a foreign book).
ICT IN CLASSROOM
I.                   Constructivism and ICT
  • ICT helps to develop constructivism among learners.
  • Learning is project based in constructivism, there comes the importance of ICT.
  • Learners make/construct knowledge through ICT.
  • Learner centered and learner controlled learning.
  • It does not provide linear logic.
  • It provides intrinsic motivation.
  • It provides richness and variety to students’ work.
  • It encourages co-operative learning and collaborative learning.
  • It satisfies/reduces their anxiety.
  • Learner’s autonomy and confidence increases as they rely less on their teacher for knowledge creation.
  • They can gather more real-world data.
  • It provides up-to-date information.
  • In short, ICT helps the teachers and students to follow the constructivist ideas and in the classroom.
II   Higher order Thinking and ICT
  • ICT provides project based training; thus it helps for creativity.
  • It helps to take his own decision as he controls his learning materials.
  • Learner searches, prepares and presents the information and therefore expertise in the subject.
  • It provides not only ‘minds on training’ (learning) but also ‘hands on training’ (practice and usage).
  • It helps to think in different ways.
  • Their role broadens /changes from investigators of other products to designers, authors and publishers as they share their findings to the world.
  • Internet content is less structured and manageable than outlined in a text book. Therefore they will have to question, evaluate and arrange the information they found. It requires higher order thinking.
  • Raw data provided by internet requires a proper arrangement for meaningful presentation. It also requires higher order thinking.
  • Eg:-Pictures from space, Numbers from census.                                                                                 
III. ICT for Equal Opportunities
  • ICT provides greater assistance to traditionally undeserved population.(Physical or developmental disabilities).
  • It can ease the problem of social isolation as they can work with computers without anyone’s help.
  • Light weight computers are also helpful.
  • It increases academic motivation and lessens anxiety as they can progress at their own speed.
  • Distance education using ICT is to achieve education for all.
  • It creates inequality among girls and boys as most of the internet materials are meant for boys.
  • Teacher should be very conscious to bridge such a gap.
IV. ICT for Pedagogy
  • ICT makes teacher centered instruction into a learner-centered instruction.
  • Teachers and learners are co-partners in teaching –learning process.
  • Teachers and learners are co-constructors of knowledge through ICT.
  • It changes the learning process into ‘learning by doing’.
  • Teachers can provide students with self paced, self directed and problem based learning experiences.
  • It provides curriculum guides for teachers.
  • It provides various forms of lesson plans and teaching strategies for teachers.
  • In short, role of the teacher has changed from a disseminator of information to a learning facilitator.
V.  ICT for Assessment
  • It provides rapid feedback.
  • Assessment is linked to the learning.
  • It can assess higher order thinking and learning through simulation as he has to make his own decision at different stage.
VI. ICT in Administration
  • It reduces costs of administration significantly.
  • It can be used for keeping all types of records.
  • Speedy functioning.
  • For more perfection.
  • Can be used in school management and information system.
  • To know accountability of staff in terms of students’ achievements, complaint about teachers through continuous assessment of their work.
  • It saves time and energy.
  • For preparing time tables.
  • To avoid errors in administration.
  • It helps to provide guidelines for educational institutions.
VII . ICT and simulation and Game
  • It enables the learners to experiment with situation which would otherwise be too expensive, too time-consuming.
  • Simulation in pilot training and nuclear explosion.
  • It promotes discovery learning.
  • Games for small children for keyboard literacy and mouse handling.
  • It helps to improve speed and quality of learning performance.
  • It stimulates motivation and curiosity.
  • It enhances learning through visualisation, prediction,etc.
  • It enables students to experience success and a sense of achievement.
Don’ts with ICT (Practical Advice for Using ICT)
            According to National Council for Educational technology, (NCET) there are 7 don’ts.
  • Don’t assign pupils to computers before preparing them for the task they will be doing.
  • Don’t give a task which is irrelevant to school curriculum or home needs, etc.
  • Don’t let the students to do anything while giving introduction to the lesson.
  • Don’t expect the print out of their work at the end of every lesson.
  • Don’t end the lesson without having a discussion on what they have achieved.
  • Don’t rely on the technology to run the lesson.
  • Don’t leave the pupils for working on their task without reminding them of the educational purpose of it.
Role of the Teacher
  • Role of the teacher has changed.
  • Values of teaching are changed.
  • Now, the new role is,
    • To help how to search for information.
    • To help in editing.
    • To help in presentation.
    • To give proper feedback.
    • to help the learner to analyse the learning materials.
    • Giving directions for the effective use of I.T.
Health Issues Related to the Use of IT and Their Remedies
Health Related Issues
  • Headache
  • Back Pain
  • Sight Problem
  • Neck Pain, Etc.
Remedies
  • Sitting down with good postures.
  • Feet should touch the floor.
  • Use wrist support for the keyboard and mouse.
  • Use a document holder for typing.
  • Monitor should be placed at eye level or directly in front of the person.
  • Use glare-reducing screens.
  • Keep your computer area organized.
  • Keep things that you use frequently within your reach.
  • Take break and shift your position.
  • Phone should be kept in proper place.
  • Use a headset to avoid neck strain which telephoning.
Impact on Behavoiural Pattern
  • Lack of socialization.
  • Lack of social involvement.
  • Moral issues.
  • Computer crazy.
  • May develop selfishness.