Education and Technological

Education and Technological Contemporary Issues

1. Introduction

By using technology in schools, we can create a world in which students are no longer passive receptacles of knowledge conveyed by a teacher or textbook. In addition to simply making the educational process more enjoyable for students, the use of technology can have a number of positive effects on how and what students learn. For instance, today's visual and audio tools can provide students with easy access to complex ideas, and thus they can explore and interact with these ideas in a way that is more meaningful to them. Technologies can also provide new ways of learning and understanding that are not reliant upon the constraints of traditional schooling. For example, students can work individually at their own pace, and if they are confused or stuck on a certain concept, they can access a variety of instructional resources (such as online tutorials or interactive simulations) that present the concept in different ways. Student dropout rates and failure may be reduced if technology could be used to creatively transform the ways in which students learn, and also provide realistic career preparation, as well as increased knowledge about the global society. Given that the future of the world is in today's students, it is necessary, if not imperative, that they become fluent and skilled users of technology. This can be accomplished if a technologically literate citizenry is the goal.

Opting for an increasingly technological society, many nations are allocating large portions of their budgets into both education and technology. The United States is attempting to move forward, and a key element in that movement is placing these national resources into making education more effective and efficient. We have reached a point in history where advances in technology are occurring at a rapid rate. In order to prepare students to live in, and contribute to, a society which is continuously being shaped by technological innovation, we need to examine how technology can be used to meet the educational needs of students.

1.1 Overview of Education and Technology

Implicit in their analysis of the relationship was the notion that the introduction of new technologies into education will change the ways knowledge is stored and transmitted, the way learners and teachers interact with information, and it will also alter what is meant by "knowledge". This deeply held belief in the potential of technology to revolutionize education is a theme that runs throughout the literature on educational technology.

The close relationship between education and technology has spurred a myriad of views and opinions on the nature and role of technology in education. The pioneers of distance education in the 19th century (cf. Moore & Kearsley, 1996) saw technology as a way to improve access to learning and raise the standard of education by providing learning opportunities for people who cannot be in the presence of a tutor.

1.2 Importance of Addressing Contemporary Issues

The effects of standardized testing and the fact that it will have an influence on the quality of education are a major concern for teachers, students, and parents alike. The implications are far and wide. High stakes testing directly determines grade promotion or graduation and can have an effect on student learning. The effect of PSSA on curriculum and the effect they have on classroom practice are complex and multi-dimensional. Standardized testing has led to teachers 'teaching to the test' and employing questionable test-taking practices in order to boost scores. This, in turn, can narrow the curriculum resulting in less emphasis on broader learning and the development of well-rounded students.

Advances in technology will have an impact on all curriculum areas and across all levels of education from K-12 through to higher education. Education systems will need to consider the significant changes that are occurring in order to successfully prepare students for the future. There is and will continue to be a need for a new student assessment that provides a measurable demonstration of the knowledge and skills essential for living and working in the digital age. This includes the need to teach information literacy along with developing new forms of literacy such as that in electronic communication. A major issue will be ensuring equal access for all students in acquiring the technological skills and knowledge that are necessary for full participation in the new era. At the moment, there exists a large gap between public and private schools in access to computer technology.

The importance of addressing contemporary issues.

Addressing contemporary issues is central to the success of today's students. Some of the major issues that plague educational institutions and have an effect on students include: language and ethnic discrimination, the impact of technological advances on current and future curriculum, the effects of standardized testing on students, the gap that exists between socioeconomic groups and its impact on learning, and the impact of special education students in mainstream classrooms.