Thursday, March 28, 2024

Education: ICTs for 21st Century Learning

Atul M. Kulkarni is an M.Tech in Communication Engineering from National Institute of Technology, Karnataka. Currently, he is working as a lecturer at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University, Lonere, Raigad

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Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have brought about a paradigm shift in education. Online educational methodology and tools like massive open online course (Mooc), modular object-oriented dynamic learning environment (Moodle), videoconferencing, virtual laboratories, screencasts, e-mail, forums, search engines, blogs, podcasts, vodcasts, wikis, vokis, high-tech 3D graphics, e-Groups, learning dialogue videos, learning-by-doing videos, digital game/toy-based learning and flipped-classrooms with associated pedagogy of active learning have quickly emerged as the backbone of effective education in this century. In fact, blended learning is the necessity of 21st century.

Benefits

ICTs provide a great solution for information collection and sharing, making learning more relaxed and productive—that too for all, anytime and anywhere. Tools like free and open source software (FOSS), and websites like github.com and SourceForge.net, help students with knowledge building, reflection, sharing and collaboration in project work.

ICTs also promote self-evaluation and self-study via online tools. Users can learn in their own dialects, which fills the gap of language barrier in teaching-learning process.

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Computer-like gadgets have emerged as guided and effective learning tools for kids (Image courtesy: www.amazon.in)
Computer-like gadgets have emerged as guided and effective learning tools for kids (Image courtesy: www.amazon.in)

Integration of ICTs in education helps students, teachers and administrators alike. ICTs help where traditional methods of learning may not be effective, such as for students with learning disabilities like dyscalculia and dyslexia.

Research and revision can be done on the Internet as well as by using storage media like CD-ROMs and USB drives and application programs. Application programs with animation, video, quizzes and sound make learning more interactive.

Teachers and administrators use ICT tools like electronic data interchange or management information system for quick and accurate exam entries or other data logging operations. This reduces expenditure (printing and posting) and errors as well.

As there is less paper work, it’s more environment-friendly and saves teachers’ time.

Attendance monitoring software can automatically send a message to parents if their child is absent from class. Some schools are now using ICT to manage their day-to-day activities and monitor students. Innovative teaching-learning practices and methodologies are emerging with integration of ICT in learning.

Tools and methodologies employed

Digital games and toys

Digital games and toys shape thinking and creativity ability of learners. Animated cartoon learning videos, storytelling toys, and educational learning tablets and computer-like gadgets have emerged as guided and effective learning tools for kids.

Well-designed collaborative 3D learning games are emerging as a future learning tool for smart classrooms. These scaffold a student’s interactions with peers and teachers in real time.

IIT Bombay has introduced a low-cost laptop, FOSSEE, with more than 150 open source software packages on this system.

The Indian government is also spending a lot of money to create good-quality educational content through initiatives such as National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) and Virtual Labs. Another important initiative is Spoken Tutorial for IT training.

Simulation software

Simulation tools are used when conducting experiments on a real system would be impossible or impractical; for example, when prototyping and testing a system involves a high cost, a delicate product doesn’t support extensive tests, or duration of the experiment in real time is impractical.

Simulation tools help to disseminate conceptual and complex ideas to a wide variety of learners using appropriate media and methods to promote understanding.

Going beyond demos, simulation provides animated, interactive and game-like environments to enhance analytic skill. Computer simulation increases perception of students.

zSpace 200 provides an immersive, interactive hardware and software platform for students, educators, researchers and corporate trainers (Image courtesy: https://upload.wikimedia.org)
zSpace 200 provides an immersive, interactive hardware and software platform for students, educators, researchers and corporate trainers (Image courtesy: https://upload.wikimedia.org)

Virtual reality and augmented reality

Augmented reality and virtual reality are both related technologies, and using 3D environment or head-mounted display these provide an enhanced or enriched experience of an imaginary reality.

Virtual reality is commonly achieved through a head-mounted display, or handheld controller. It is an artificial simulation of a real-life environment or situation where people can have hands-on practice, like flight simulation for aircraft pilots. It immerses the users by making them feel like they are experiencing the situation.

On the other hand, augmented reality is used more in mobile devices like smart phones, laptops and tablets. Augmented reality-based piano learning apps/trainers are also available in the market. Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) is the coding language used for virtual reality.

Skills can be easily enhanced through virtual and augmented reality-based training. For example, new train drivers can be trained in driving skills using simulators that provide a realistic simulation of any event and allow exercise of control in any crisis situation.

Such a training provides the opportunity to safely train the driver in avoiding real-life accidents.

The future of education resides in virtual reality and augmented reality environments where students from around the world converge in a magical hands-on learning experience.

Virtual reality creates an immersive audio, visual and spatial learning environment, which helps students to explore and learn at their own pace.

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