The Advantages of Information Technology in Education [1]
Advancements in information and communication technology have not only benefited education, but also continue to shape the way the field itself develops. With more powerful software and applications, along with mobile devices such as tablet computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and laptops becoming more prevalent in the classroom, information technology offers many benefits to all aspects of education.
Connectivity
· By using information technology, teachers and students are more connected in and out of the classroom. For example, Seton Hill University's program "The Griffin Technology Advantage," which supplies each student with a laptop and a tablet computer for school and personal use, aims to encourage "creative literacy" by connecting students and staff to a wider community outside of school, along with allowing students to work with a technology they may very well need in the workforce.
Lessons
· Information technology provides teachers an endless choice of multimedia, software, applications and devices with which to create more exciting, interactive lessons. The traditional lecture-based lesson, while effective to a point, does not stimulate every type of learner. By adding a dimension to their lessons, teachers have the opportunity to engage more students and lead a more involved, energetic class.
Resources
· Advancements in networking within information technology have connected more institutions and their staffs and students, and therefore made a greater amount of information and resources available. For example, a thesis written by a professor at one university previously may have been shelved or archived only at that university's library. Now, it becomes easy for a student in a university on the other side of the world to have access to that thesis with a simple download.
Distance Learning Courses
· Online courses and web-based training have improved in quality as information and communication technology has advanced. Some universities offer accredited courses that may be taken entirely on the Internet, creating more educational opportunities. These courses not only provide students with access to the same resources as students in traditional classes, but they also typically offer more flexibility, allowing students to complete the work on their own schedules. For those who wish to continue their educations but are reluctant to give up their jobs, distance learning courses can be the answer.
The Advantages of Information Technology in Organisation
Here are some of the benefits of IT in organization:-
Globalization - IT has not only brought the world closer together, but it has allowed the world's economy to become a single interdependent system. This means that we can not only share information quickly and efficiently, but we can also bring down barriers of linguistic and geographic boundaries. The world has developed into a global village due to the help of information technology allowing countries like Chile and Japan who are not only separated by distance but also by language to shares ideas and information with each other.
Communication - With the help of information technology, communication has also become cheaper, quicker, and more efficient. We can now communicate with anyone around the globe by simply text messaging them or sending them an email for an almost instantaneous response. The internet has also opened up face to face direct communication from different parts of the world thanks to the helps of video conferencing.
Cost effectiveness - Information technology has helped to computerize the business process thus streamlining businesses to make them extremely cost effective money making machines. This in turn increases productivity which ultimately gives rise to profits that means better pay and less strenuous working conditions.
Bridging the cultural gap - Information technology has helped to bridge the cultural gap by helping people from different cultures to communicate with one another, and allow for the exchange of views and ideas, thus increasing awareness and reducing prejudice.
More time - IT has made it possible for businesses to be open 24 x7 all over the globe. This means that a business can be open anytime anywhere, making purchases from different countries easier and more convenient. It also means that you can have your goods delivered right to your doorstep with having to move a single muscle.
Creation of new jobs - Probably the best advantage of information technology is the creation of new and interesting jobs. Computer programmers, Systems analyzers, Hardware and Software developers and Web designers are just some of the many new employment opportunities created with the help of IT.[2]
Communication - With the help of information technology, communication has also become cheaper, quicker, and more efficient. We can now communicate with anyone around the globe by simply text messaging them or sending them an email for an almost instantaneous response. The internet has also opened up face to face direct communication from different parts of the world thanks to the helps of video conferencing.
Cost effectiveness - Information technology has helped to computerize the business process thus streamlining businesses to make them extremely cost effective money making machines. This in turn increases productivity which ultimately gives rise to profits that means better pay and less strenuous working conditions.
Bridging the cultural gap - Information technology has helped to bridge the cultural gap by helping people from different cultures to communicate with one another, and allow for the exchange of views and ideas, thus increasing awareness and reducing prejudice.
More time - IT has made it possible for businesses to be open 24 x7 all over the globe. This means that a business can be open anytime anywhere, making purchases from different countries easier and more convenient. It also means that you can have your goods delivered right to your doorstep with having to move a single muscle.
Creation of new jobs - Probably the best advantage of information technology is the creation of new and interesting jobs. Computer programmers, Systems analyzers, Hardware and Software developers and Web designers are just some of the many new employment opportunities created with the help of IT.[2]
[1] The Advantages of Information Technology in Education | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_6364456_advantages-information-technology-education.html#ixzz1QX58ALpR
