Importance of Computers in Education
Since the advent of computer technology, the world has undergone a revolutionary change because computers perform most of the tasks that were hard to perform; for example, storage of volumes of information or took a lot of time to finish.
In addition, computer technology has also contributed greatly to the globalization of the world, because not only has the technology boosted communication standards, but also innovations in computer technology have helped to boost global educational standards.
For example, prior to the advent of the internet, which is an innovation in computer technology, conducting academic researches was one of the hardest tasks for students because learners had to read volumes of books to come up with standard academic papers.
But with this innovation in computer technology, currently, students can easily score big volumes of learning materials in computers, access academic materials online, and learn online through distance learning programs. On the other hand, innovations in computer technology have also contributed greatly to the improvement of teaching standards because it has made teaching easy and flexible, as teachers can teach from any geographical position.
Considering this, computers have greatly contributed to the shaping of education in all levels of learning, as they have not only helped to reinforce the learning of classroom subjects and remedial assistance, but also they have helped to mold well-informed students, who are ready to fit in any social, economic, and political setting.
Discussion of Results
Importance of Elementary Schools
Computer education is one integral part of any learning institution because of the significance of computer literacy in contemporary society. At the elementary level, learners are in the process of learning how to read and write.
Hence, exposing learners to computers at a younger age gives them an opportunity of becoming smarter in their learning endeavors, as this offers them a chance of acquiring basic computer operation knowledge that is important in their later learning stages.
In addition, because of the numerous attractive features of computers, features that are liked by all young learners, computers offer learners a chance of utilizing their five senses hence, sharpening their leaning abilities. These attractive features are also important in attracting the concentration and focus of learners; hence, they greatly aid the learning process and the absorption of concepts.
The many features contained in computers can also help learners to build positive attitudes towards technology, failure of which can be very detrimental to the wellbeing of their futures. On the other hand, good education programs give learners a chance of developing their inner abilities, for example, painting and drawing in addition to developing high order abilities to deal with any subject’s problems, procedural thinking, and innovativeness.
To learners with learning disabilities, for example, hearing, seeing, and motor coordination anomalies, computers are very important learning aids, because they make their learning process easy.
Such is the case primarily because; computers have a range of output and input assistive devices that aid the learning of learners with special needs. For example, for learners with visual problems, computers have audio devices that can help to broadcast information, and vice versa (Setzer 1-10).
Use of Computers in Middle and High School
As students graduate from elementary school to middle school and finally to high school, the need for them to be acquainted with the numerous educational demands necessary for survival in the society increases. In addition to conforming to the needs of the information age, computers help to prepare these learners for higher learning education needs, because of the increased middle and high school curriculum needs.
Innovations in computer technology provide learners of this level a chance of improving their reading, and problem-solving abilities, more especially in solving complex mathematical problems. In addition to helping students to develop required learning competencies associated with this level, computers help in laying a firm basis for students’ future professional careers.
Just like at the elementary level, computers can help to enhance the understanding, synthesis, and analysis abilities of learners at this level, as they simplify hard concepts and make learning interesting.
On the other hand, considering the fact that, at this level, students are being introduced to research work, the internet can act as a rich source of materials and data necessary for the completion of any research undertaking; hence, increasing the learners’ knowledge base.
Most middle and high school learning activities are there to help learners develop high-order skills. Hence, to develop such abilities, middle and high school computer programs, for example, word processing, spreadsheets, and database programs can help students develop higher learning abilities.
Computers have also altered the instruction methodology of most teachers, as they have made it easy for educators to store, retrieve, and pass information to learners, through a networked system without having necessarily to attend classes physically.
One primary education area that computer has really boosted in the study of science-based subjects, as computers offer learners chances of experimenting and proving theories, necessary for making hard information easily understandable (Becker, Ravitz, and Wong 18-38).
Use of Computers in Colleges
As learners enter college level, their educational needs increase, as they have to deal with new educational challenges that are crucial in preparing them for their future career demands. Unlike at elementary, middle, and high school levels where online classes are rare, at the college level, most learning institutions offer a series of courses via distance land online learning using innovation in computer technology.
Such learning orientations have made learning easy, more so to students who are unable to attend the normal traditional classes. Computers also play a role in shaping learners’ futures by offering educational opportunities in both science and arts-related fields. Almost all careers in the present world demand one to be computer literate, in order for them to fit in the present world of technology.
Considering this, computers play an integral role in not only improving the quality or standards of education but also they help to facilitate the acquiring of concepts that are crucial in meeting challenges in society.
In addition to offering learners opportunities of preparing themselves for their future careers, computers have made college learning easy, more so in subjects that have numerous mathematical and scientific concepts to be interpreted and analyzed.
On the other hand, because this level of learning is characterized by many academic types of research and assignments, the internet provides an alternative method of conducting accessing of information, necessary for completing assignments (Strayhorn 1-10).
Conclusion
In conclusion, computers have not only helped to improve the standards of education in learning institutions but also play a central administrative role in aiding the storage of data and other crucial administrative information that are important in any learning institution.
In addition, through using innovations in computer technology, leaning institutions have been able to prepare all-round individuals who are ready to work in any social, economic, and political conditions for the wellbeing of the society.
Works Cited
Becker, Henry, Ravitz, Jason, and Wong, Becker, Henry, Ravitz, Jason, and Wong, YanTien. Teacher and teacher-directed student use of computers and software. Centre for Research on Information Technology and Organizations, University of California and Minnesota Report 3. November. 1999.
Seizer, Valdemar. A review of arguments for the use of computers in elementary education. University of Sao Paulo. 2010.
Strayhorn, Terrell. College in the information age: gains associated with students’ Use of technology. Journal of Interactive Online Learning, 5.2 (2006).