The newest computer and IT technologies hit the society with a powerful stream. In particular, they affected the sphere of education. In the 21st century it is quite difficult to imagine schools without technology.
The information revolution dictated the emergence of a fundamentally new social and pedagogical situation requiring a drastic change in educational model that does not meet the demands of time. The choice of a new optimizing strategy in the long term would ensure an unhindered entry into the information world and educational space.
Features of information technologies in the educational sphere
Many experts claim that updating the pedagogical process by introducing and using innovative computer technologies (multimedia, interactive, hypertextual) is one of the most effective ways to improve the quality of education.
But it is impossible to avoid "earthquakes" caused by the information revolution and shift of the "educational crust". The reverse side of the fast progress is the difficulty of introducing a new tenet into a global educational philosophy. Teachers as well as adult students are facing the "inconsistency" problem arising from the differences between the older and younger generations. Some of them don’t want to use too much technology in the classroom to improve the educational material and visualize it because of the low level of technical knowledge or excessive conservatism.
Let's consider the advantages and disadvantages of using information technology in the environment of an educational institution.
Advantages
1. Time efficiency of educational process
The possibility of returning to the old lecture material, convenient work with the help of electronic technology and not by manual labor is a way to save additional time for pedagogical creativity and self-education. Also of great importance is the psychological component of recreation.
2. Effective control
Through the measurement students’ achievements and their subsequent comparison with the requirements of educational standards, it became possible to determine the potential capabilities of pupils as well as the qualification level of the teachers. As a result, it gives a complete picture of the effectiveness or inefficiency of the educational process.
3. Formation of partnership between a teacher and students
An important factor of the success of the educational process is the way the relationship between the teacher and students develops. The establishment of trust is facilitated by the application of new methods in education. The activity of the teacher and student is aimed at cooperating, working in a group, joint search for a solution to the problem.
4. Getting the relevant knowledge
The unique technological skills that the student acquires today are the guarantee of ones professional demand in the labor market tomorrow. Relevant education at the moment becomes synonymous with quality education.
5. Technology allows students to learn how to work independently
When young people watch educational videos, presentations, they begin to understand what the best way of learning is in their case. They do not need to wait until the material is distributed in the classroom, as everything can be downloaded from the online store at any time. Many technologies allow students to create their own learning materials.
The world becomes more and more informationally saturated and changes very fast. So graduates will need to study new information all their lives. The faster they learn to do it effectively the better.
Disadvantages
1. Negative impact on the human body and psyche
Some experts argue that overuse of technology in college, school or university triggers the development of hypertension, musculoskeletal disease, persistent myopia, coronary heart disease, problems with kidneys and genitourinary system as well as impotence and frigidity. Among mental illnesses there is depression.
2. Shading of the personal factor associated with the internal potential of the teacher
The technologies begin to prevail over the personal component in the educational process. The internal potential of the teacher can't be maximally involved due to the inability to compete with the omniscient machine which "memory" contains the entire experience of human civilization.
3. Additional access to information not related to the learning process
Often students are more focused on the entertainment component than on the educational goals. It is extremely difficult to program the "brain receptors" of young people solely on studies as a dominant.
It is possible to find the materials for writing a best argumentative essay, a diploma or a control work on the Internet or use “
write my essay” service. But it's extremely difficult not to be distracted by social networks, computer games, etc. Students should show self-control and understand that they work for their future and not to be diligent in the eyes of teachers and parents.
4. Lack of direct contact
In case of distance studies pupil is partially or completely remote from the professors, usual teaching aids and resources. One is left on his own. Educational activity is not cooperative. The pedagogical process loses its orientation as one of the main components of the formation of a full-fledged personality.
We considered the most characteristic features of the technologies in education. It is difficult to judge the positive or negative nature of this phenomenon. Like any other, it has pros and cons.
In any case, we can say for sure that the introduction of technologies is inevitable. It is the basis of progress, the essence of the dynamic changes. The mission of educational institutions of all levels is to be the centers of training based on modern information, technical innovations and their introduction into professional activities.