Digital tools in teaching - learning

Technology integration is the use of technology resources (computers, Internet etc.) in daily classroom practices, and in the management of a College. Computer based education refers to any kind of computer in educational settings. Computer technology is becoming increasingly important for education at every level. The computers make it possible to access, represent, process and communicate information in new ways. The computers make it possible to search and organize information, analyse data, represent ideas, simulate complex systems and communicate with others. They also enable new ways of teaching – learning , new activities, new products and new types of learning. Computers are cognitive tools; Computers are performance support systems (PSSs). Computers offer multi-media ways for obtaining large amounts of information, e.g., CD-ROMs and web sites.

Computers can be used in two ways

1.       The computer as a classroom tool

2.       The computer as a subject of instruction.

Internet and world wide web

The Internet consists of a vast collection of independent computers linked by national and international tele-communication networks.  Each Internet site contains information (text, images, audio, video, links etc.) which are accessible to the individual working from their home computer. Internet sites are increasing in number, sophistication and content.

Internet provides information in text, graphics, audio and video. New programming allows a greater degree of interactivity through real time audiovisual transfers and chat.  Coloured and animated graphics are of much greater educational value than photocopied images

The World Wide Web is a much hyped Internet application which potentially provides great flexibility in the distribution of teaching and learning resources in interesting fashion. Resources such as lecture notes, readings, tutorials and assignments can be delivered to, and received from, students both on and off campus. The learner searches website, collects information and learns the lesson. Web is a viable tool to help students gain education without being on campus. It allows greater autonomy of learning.

e-mail –messages are stored and sent via a computer system, transmitted across networks typically accessible only by the addressee.

E-learning applications

On - line students group: allows students to interact with each other

On - line lecturing: allows faculty to interact with students

On - line counseling: helps students in decision- making

On - line libraries and resource center: providing text, documents, articles for reference.

Multimedia tools

Students who use multimedia tools are active learners. Students reflect these kind of tasks throughout their life. Students work collaboratively, not only with each other, but with researchers and teachers.

Power point Presentation

It provides a platform for incorporating a variety of different kinds of multi-media file types: images, video, audio and animations. It is neat and clean and it allows for portability of materials. It is easy for professors to update, saving them time and energy.

Hypermedia tools

An approach to information storage and retrieval that provides multiple linkages among elements. It allows the user to navigate easily from one piece of information to another. It consists of a database of information structured as nodes or frames. It links between the nodes that allow rapid movement through the information and a user interface. Hypermedia tools are useful for exploring a large database of information, accessing elaborations on core information and promoting a ‘rich’ learning.

Hypertext tools

The linking of information together by highlighted keywords that have been marked up creating paths through related material from different sources such as footnotes and encyclopedias. Hypertext has the ability to connect related documents. Hyperlink is a connection among documents in a hypermedia and hypertext format.

Simulation tools

A computer simulation attempts to reproduce real-life situations. Simulations feature a combination of text and graphics ,using dialogue and inquiry to guide the student through a situation. Simulations also can bring about higher-order synthesis and analysis skills.

           Tutorials 

          They are one of the most common types of computer-assisted instruction. Tutorials are “page- turners” similar to textbooks. The one-to-one tutoring and feedback provided by a tutorial can make it an excellent tool for improving student knowledge. Drill-and-practice programs work well in increasing student knowledge through repetition, usually through cues.Students can repeat sections, helping individualized instruction. Drill-and-practice programs provide automatic feedback to learners.

Interactive video  and video Conferencing  applications

The interactive video refers broadly to software that responds to certain choices and commands by the user. A typical system consists of a combination of a compact disk, computer and video technology. Videodisc systems store video pictures, still pictures, and sound on discs that users can control with a videodisc player. These systems can provide the interactive capabilities of computers and the motion-picture capabilities of videos.
Video Conferencing is a method of performing interactive video communications over a regular high speed internet connection. It is a medium where individuals or groups can meet face-to-face in real time to interact and exchange ideas. It requires a fast speed internet connection, a microphone and a video camera. Since it was introduced, communication technologies have improved exponentially.

A digital library is a collection of textual, numeric, graphic, audio and video data stored in digital form, indexed and logically linked for ease of retrieval. The user can access information from anywhere in the world. Digital library allows ease of search and retrieval of information.