IT - Pros & Cons
Technology is advancing everyday as we speak. Nearly 10 years ago Dell Microsoft computers were in stock, still are, and Apple Macs, pod casts, E books and journals are introduced.
System software programs are created such as how to access personal tutorial sessions, work guidelines, seminar notes from personal university accounts, online.
These systems are created for increasing the mental cognitive abilities of the students mind. This is the 21st Century; young people in particular are hardwired and most probably programmed to think in the technological world so initially their brains would be thinking creatively and in terms of accessing information.
The psychological affects of using a computer for any form of software program is that it is easy to use and the young person’s brain would naturally be engaged with what is in front of them and most possibly achieve their ultimate goals in their work.
In schools most subjects have adopted e-learning approaches, so have universities. Research studies have shown pupils are more likely to engage in learning through forms of technology rather than traditional methods of using books for research resources and materials, papers and notes as they have grown up with technology around them.
One of the main benefits of using educational technology is it has demonstrated a significant positive effect on achievement in major subject areas from primary through to higher education and both for regular education and special need students. Students in classes that use computer-aided instruction outperformed their peers on standardised tests of basic skills achievement by 30 percent on average.
For me personally, to optimise a successful education is to strike a balance. Some technology is very useful for example: printing of online timetables to find the next lectures in seminar rooms for your modules, or accessing tutorial comments/feedback on dissertations etc.
It is good to engage the creative side of the brain in using different IT tools and techniques to produce effective work and research for case studies in your subject by using pod casts for example.
However when the student is obsessed with the statistical approach to software programs and is constantly using IT as a gateway to learn, that will risk the health of the student mentally, physically and emotionally. The brain needs a break and to resort to all types of learning mechanisms and methods, to allow and feed information in a different way. Otherwise it will become some sort of addiction.
So balance is definitely key but making use out of what Information Technology has to offer is just helping the student to achieve the best they can out of their studies.
My advice for uni work is simple:
- Prioritise tasks from most important to least
- Be organised with work
- Mange your time well
- Fit in breaks when you can
- Strike a balance in personal/uni life
- Be sensible with IT systems and technology.
- Don’t over work your self but at the same time don’t be too relaxed.
- Be determined to do well.
- Most importantly enjoy and love what you study, then nothing can go wrong.
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