Overview of Education and IT

Discuss about the about the amalgamation of education and IT. 

Education is the significant procedure of obtaining skills, beliefs, knowledge and values or is the facilitation of learning. There are various methodologies for education like training, discussing, sharing experiences, telling stories, teaching or simply research (Geoffrey & Birmingham, 2013). The unique combination of education and information technology has brought immense changes in modern education system.

The following report outlines a brief description about the amalgamation of education and IT. The report describes about three distinct types of education system, namely, Kindergarten education, E-learning and mobile learning (Best & Kahn, 2016). Each of these three education systems is described with relevant details.

Education and IT

Education is the most important systematic procedure for an individual. It helps in the mitigation of all the problems or challenges that are generally faced in life. The skills or knowledge that are obtained from education, open the doors to all the opportunities that are required for the growth of a person’s career (Cohen, Manion & Morrison, 2013). Education is started right from birth. A child gains his or her first lessons or primary education from his parents or close acquaintances. His family or friends teach the moral values, beliefs and habits. The secondary education is obtained from school or teachers. These teachers help to obtain relevant knowledge in every subject or stream (Holtshouse, 2013). There are various reasons, which prove that education is highly needed, as it enhances ethical, spiritual and moral values, it helps in the transmission of national culture, it helps to build the character of an individual, it allows an individual to become literate and many more.

IT or information technology is the specific application of systems for storing, manipulating, retrieving or transmitting confidential information or data (Lloyd, 2017). The business enterprises are related to information technology by the involvement of software, hardware, internet, equipments of telecom and electronics.

Education and IT are interrelated in the current education system. The combination of the education system and information technology is responsible for all types of modernisation. The information technology gives and even controls the entire broad range of educational systems and techniques (Seidman, 2013). It helps in making the system extremely easy for working, teaching or learning. The most recognized combination of education and IT is E learning (Refer to Appendix A).

Kindergarten Education

Kindergarten is the specific approach of preschool education that is given to children in form of practical activities, singing, playing and by involving in several social interactions (Pyle & DeLuca, 2013). The word Kindergarten came from a German word, which specifically means a garden for children. A German man, Friedrich Frobel, first coined the term of Kindergarten in the year 1840. His approach had influenced the child education globally. Kindergarten is the approach that helps in the description of several educational institutions or playschools, allowing children of age group two to five for acquiring basic education in the form of various activities (Zaranis, Kalogiannakis & Papadakis, 2013). There are special teachers, who are hired for educating these children. The teaching methods are not same as they are utilized in normal schools or colleges.

Kindergarten Education

Background of Kindergarten Education

In the year 1779, two men, namely, Johann Friedrich Oberlin and Louis Scheppler founded the first preschool for children. Their purpose was to educate and care those children, whose parents are not present with them during the day. Similar establishments of infant schools were established in the year 1780 in Bavaria (Spodek & Saracho, 2014). Very soon, the entire concept of Kindergarten education was spread in the several parts of the world, including London, Hungary, China, Australia, Canada and many more. Each and every country has its own ways of teaching in a Kindergarten.

Integration of Kindergarten Education and Information Technology

In today’s world, the Kindergarten education is given with the help of technology. It is believed worldwide that all children should have the basic knowledge of technology from their early days of education (Bassok, Latham & Rorem, 2016). Although there are numerous harmful effects of technology for children, still they should know about the basic characteristics of information technology. For the children of preschool age, the applications of education and the e-books are extremely beneficial when the teacher will guide their learning. However, not all the applications of education are correct for the children and often they get distracted from education (Bloom et al., 2014). The most promising applications of education help in the integration of various features of multimedia in a specific way so that it is extremely congruent with the objectives of learning or telling stories for supporting learning. A better quality application of education always presents relevant content in any meaningful context, which can pro actively and easily engage a child and enable him or her in the innovative or creative exploration. This involvement of technology in education allows the child to think out of the box and be creative (Blair & Raver, 2014). Moreover, this helps to eradicate the traditional ways of education and rote learning. The traditional ways of education is responsible for the dullness of children. These children cannot make anything creative, rather they are only involved in the process of learning and writing. A child has the sharpest brain and his or her mental growth is completed within the age of five. He or she can learn anything easily during this age and hence he or she should learn the utilization of technology during this age (Laudon & Laudon, 2013). All the above mentioned countries are utilizing technology for providing education in the Kindergarten. The descriptions of Kindergarten education in the various countries are as follows:

E-Learning

London: The first playschool was opened in the year 1819 in London by Sir Samuel Wilderspin. According to Wilderspin, playing was the most important part for the system of education (Refer to Appendix B). In recent days, London has acquired the technique of involvement of technology in Kindergarten education. All the preschools have projectors in their schools instead of blackboards and this helps in the development of education system with the help of technology (Pyle & DeLuca, 2013). Moreover, they use e books for educating their child. Outdoor activities and practical activities are required in preschool and at the same time, they should have the knowledge of technology. The age group of Kindergarten preschool in London is from two to seven years.

Hungary: In Hungary, any Kindergarten or a preschool is known as an ovoda, which literally means a place for caring. The age group of Kindergarten preschool in Hungary is from three to six years (Blair & Raver, 2014). The main feature of Hungarian preschools is that apart from enabling technology, they focus on learning of music and foreign languages. However, everything is taught is the form of playing. Children are not forced for learning anything.

China: In China, the entire Kindergarten is sub divided into three distinct groups and they have different names for these three groups. These are as follows:Nursery: The age group is from three to four years and it is also known as playgroup or preschool (Blair & Raver, 2014).

Lower Kindergarten: The age group is from four to five years.

Upper Kindergarten: The age group is from five to six years.

The difference between China and other country’s playschool is that China does not allow children younger than three years as they feel that technology can be harmful to children below three years (Pyle & DeLuca, 2013).

Australia: In Australia, kindergarten has different meanings in different states. In New South Wales and Tasmania, preschool is considered as the first year of primary school. In other states, this is known as prep or preparatory (Spodek & Saracho, 2014). They intake children from six months age. Australia is famous for its technology. They teach their students by means of technology as they think that children should learn technology in their early days of education.

Canada: The first kindergarten was established in Toronto, Canada in the year 1898. They allow children from four years age and utilize technology for providing education. They utilize iPads as blackboards in their schools (Refer to Appendix B).

Mobile Learning

Kindergarten education is a must education for all children as they help in the overall development of mental growth of a child and enhances the power of creativity.

E learning is the systematic procedure of learning that is eventually conducted with the help of an electronic media, usually over the Internet. The learning system that is based on the systematic or formalised teaching, however with the relevant help of any electronic device or resource is called E learning (Rennie & Morrison, 2013). This type of learning is done by utilizing computers or systems. The E learning can also be termed as the network enabled skills transfer from one location to another. E learning has opened the doors for the involvement of technology in education system easily and promptly (Allen, 2016). Education is not restricted in any classroom or school and colleges. Rather it can be conducted from any part of the world and the teacher can be sitting in the other part of the world.

The word e learning first came into account in the year 1999 at a Computer based Training program systems seminar. This e learning is often known as virtual learning or online learning (Bora & Ahmed, 2013). Although the word first came in the year 1999, there is evidence that the early forms of e learning existed in 19^th century. In the year 1840, Sir Isaac Pitman helped his students to learn shorthand for improving their writing speed. He was a teacher and utilized mails for sending assignments to his students. In the year 1924, the first machine for testing was invented. This machine was utilized for all the students for testing themselves (Al?Qahtani & Higgins, 2013). Next in the year 1954, a Harvard professor, BF Skinner invented the first teaching machine for providing programmed instructions to the students. In the year 1960, the first computer based training program or simply CBT program was invented. The programmed instructions for the students became much easier with the utilization of this. This computer based training program was known as the PLATO or the Programmed Logic for Automated Teaching Operations (Liaw & Huang, 2013). This PLATO was designed for the University of Illinios, however soon it was spread in the world. In 170, the online learning was much interactive and the Open University in Britain took the advantages of e learning. In previous days, the course materials were sent through mails or posts. However, with the help of Internet, the process was much easier (Cheung & Vogel, 2013). The Open University offered broad range various interactive educational classes and this enhanced the establishment of technology in education system.

Historical Background of E-Learning

In the late 20^th century, computer and Internet was introduced. This invention of Internet and computer systems expanded the methodologies of delivery and techniques of e learning (Rennie & Morrison, 2013). The rapid enhancement, advancement or progress of technology and learning systems has brought the entire world in the hands of an individual. The introduction of systems has lead to the path of e learning in form of various technological devices like smart phones, tablets and iPads. The traditional books are all getting replaced with the electronic educational devices like pen drives and optical discs (Dahlstrom & Bichsel, 2016). Knowledge are shared through the Internet and this knowledge can be accessed from anywhere at any time. Various schools and colleges have changed their system of basic or elementary education with e learning technologies. It is being observed that the students have responded well in e learning than the traditional approach of learning. The advancement in technologies has helped the educational sectors in reducing the overall expenses of distance learning and thus bringing education to the broad range of audiences (Zaranis, Kalogiannakis & Papadakis, 2013). In past few years, the businesses or the organizations have started utilizing e learning for the training purpose of their employees and staffs. The entire concept of e learning usually helps in the overall progress of any nation.

E learning is extremely important in the education system. It helps in the advancement or enhancement of technology in education. E learning is absolutely affordable and easily can be  facilitated from anywhere (Rennie & Morrison, 2013). The geographical gap cannot restrict the education system and thus this e learning is strongly accepted in all over the world. The system of E learning allows the significant ability for sharing educational materials in various formats like word documents, PDFs, videos and slide shows. Live online classes are extremely popular in the world and these are known as webinars. The communication with teachers or professors through message forum or chats is also a recognized method of E learning (Al?Qahtani & Higgins, 2013). The e learning systems are also known as the LMS or Learning Management Systems. There are a variety of systems or methods in E learning that allow several courses to deliver easily. This system helps in providing any student or learner to fit into the learning system with their lifestyles. This type of education system does not disturb the busy schedule of an individual. Rather anybody can learn or complete their education with the help of E learning irrespective of his time or age (Allen, 2016). There are several benefits or advantages of E learning. They are as follows:

Importance of E-Learning

Scalability: E learning helps in creating and communicating innovative ideas or policies and thus can be termed as scalable in nature.

Consistency: E learning enables the students for achieving a greater coverage degree for the target audience (Refer to Appendix C). This system even makes sure that message is sent consistently.

Money and Time Savings: This is the most significant advantage of E learning system. Time and money is saved through this process, as the students do not have to visit any educational institutions.

Flexibility: This is again one of the most significant advantages in E learning (Liaw & Huang, 2013). The students or the learners have the freedom to acquire knowledge in their own flexible speed and convenience.

Thus, E learning is the best mode of education for any student, as it does not restrict education in any specific part.

Mobile learning or M learning is the systematic procedure of learning that is done with the help of mobile phones (Cheung & Vogel, 2013). This type of learning can be simply defined as the process of learning across various contexts, with the help of several content and social interactions by utilizing own electronic devices. Mobile learning is a specific part of E learning, however the only difference is that mobile phones, notebooks, tablets, hand held computers are utilized in this process. The procedure of mobile learning mainly focuses on a particular learner’s mobility and interactions with significant technologies (Gikas & Grant, 2013). Utilization of mobile techniques for the purpose of creation of learning materials and aids has eventually become a vital section of any type of informal learning.

Mobile learning first came into account in the year 2005. This was introduced with the evolution of tablet computers. Soon, the concept of mobile learning was accepted by in all over the world (FernáNdez-LóPez et al., 2013). The schools or colleges or any educational institutions allowed mobile learning for their teaching purpose. At first, a specific strategy was made that enabled security to those devices that are utilized for mobile learning. The software of the mobile phones or tablets was checked whether they are beneficial for the students or not.

Mobile learning has played the most significant role in higher education system. It has enhanced the utilization of technology in education system and has allowed various new techniques for simplifying the entire system of E learning (Chen & Denoyelles, 2013). Mobile learning is the convenient technology, which is utilized for accessing information and obtaining knowledge from any place at any time virtually. Sharing of knowledge is done instantly and there is no delay. Moreover, all the students of a mobile learning class can utilize similar content and this leads to instant tips and feedbacks of the class. This mobile learning helps to provide knowledge to higher education. It replaces the traditional books system with portable devices (Jones, Scanlon & Clough, 2013). These devices have the contents that are required for the completion of education for any individual. The capacity of one such device is extremely high and can store up to huge amount of data. Thus, this is extremely beneficial for any particular student, who is obtaining higher education. Moreover, this type of advanced learning helps in bringing major changes or alterations in the procedure of education system.

Kindergarten Education in Various Countries

There are various significant approaches in mobile learning. They are as follows:

Class Management: This is the first and foremost approach in mobile learning (Ally & Prieto-Blázquez, 2014). The applications that are utilized in any learning spaces or classrooms are combined with the utilization of Personal Digital Assistant or PDA, the handheld computers, smart phones, tablets, laptops and notebooks. These devices are utilized with all the traditional resources of education. This mobile learning is utilized for managing classes in case of higher education and enhancing the learning of student centred or group collaboration (Gikas & Grant, 2013). The technology of mobile phones replaces the traditional resources like books, presentation technology or visual aids. The interactive technology enables the students for the successful engagement and manipulation of information. The classroom activities are accessed on mobile phones for providing a continuum outside or inside the classroom. For the higher education classes, management of class often becomes extremely tough for any teacher (Chen & Denoyelles, 2013). However, with the help of mobile learning, this entire process is extremely easier and can be completed with less effort and time.

Podcasting: This is the second approach of mobile learning. Podcasting comprises of listening to various lectures or audio recordings. It is often utilized for reviewing webinars or live lectures. Moreover, it helps in providing relevant scopes and opportunities to the students for the purpose of rehearsing the oral presentations (Gikas, & Grant, 2013). Podcasts are also utilized for providing supplementary information for the enhancement of traditional lectures. This type of mobile learning is highly recommended for students, who are pursuing higher education.

Self Learning: This is the third approach of mobile learning. Any student or individual has the capability to learn anything completely by himself or herself. Mobile learning or M learning does not require any particular teacher in person for teaching purpose. Notes can be sent through emails and classes can be conducted online (Jones, Scanlon & Clough, 2013). This is mainly utilized when the students have a problem in visiting schools or colleges. The mobile assisted language learning or MALL is utilized for the purpose of assistance in any language learning. The literacy level is improvised due to this and creativity is encouraged in the process.

There are various advantages in mobile learning. They are as follows:

Motivation: This is the most significant advantage of mobile learning. This type of learning motivates the students in all aspects and they can learn innovative and new things regularly (Ally & Prieto-Blázquez, 2014). Moreover, there are certain introvert students, who cannot interact in classes. However, they feel free while interacting in the mobile learning classes.

Conclusion

More Content: Mobile learning has eventually more relevant content than traditional education system as traditional education system restricts up to the knowledge of books (Chen & Denoyelles, 2013). However, mobile learning allows knowledge from all over the world and there are no such restrictions. These contents are eventually required for the completion of any educational degree or class. Moreover, this helps in obtaining the proper and relevant knowledge for any particular individual.

Working Together in Longer Distance: This is the third advantage of mobile learning. Distance does not create any problem or issue for the process of education and thus any student warmly welcomes mobile learning (Refer to Appendix D). Moreover, the students who are pursuing higher education or distance education, has problems in attending educational institutions can easily go for mobile learning.

Thus, mobile learning is a very important part of higher education as it has various advantages.

Conclusion

Therefore, from the above discussion, it can be concluded that, education can be defined as the procedure of gaining knowledge, skills, beliefs, habits and values. The above report has provided proper description regarding the combination of technology and education. This report has described about the three kinds of education systems, namely, E-learning, mobile learning for higher education and Kindergarten education.

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