Computers in education and learning

Abstract

As we have already hinted, computers and the internet have made profound changes in how we learn. We begin this topic by reviewing influential visions and early prototypes suggesting how technology could revolutionize education. Early on, computers were used by educators to deliver online tutorials about subject material, administer drill-and-practice exercises on rote skills, act as supportive environ­ments for creatively exploring ideas through programming in English-like languages, and function as inexpensive, ubiquitous, and dynamic audio-visual resources. We shall then discuss other newer methods for using digital technologies to transform how students approach subject matter and how classrooms are organized. By using interactive simulation games, students learn by taking actions with respect to certain scenarios. Presentation aids such as PowerPoint and Prezi have replaced blackboards to present and elucidate concepts. Smart classrooms allow instructors and students access to technology that facilitates learning; inverted classrooms allow more effective use of class­room time by enabling students to prepare for lectures in advance and focus on working together with their teachers in class. Intelligent tutors are artificial intelligence (AI) programs that actively support student learning, diagnose student difficulties with the material, and then adapt tutoring strategies based on these findings. Next, we shall review how online learning has opened up new opportunities for adult and continuing education, whereby students can learn in their own time and at their own pace. The challenge online learning technology developers now face is to provide discussion forums, real-time chat capabilities, and methods for instructor feedback so that advantages of face-to-face interaction are not lost in web-based learning. Particularly exciting is the growth of worldwide learning communities via Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), an area of current expansion and creativity. While technology is now seen as instrumental in learning, there are still debates on the extent to which it should be used and how it should be used in education. A particularly prevalent dilemma is in middle and secondary schools. The issue is whether or not and how to encourage or disallow the use of mobile phones and other devices in classrooms.