Advantages And Disadvantages Of Technology In Higher Learning Institutions

The Use of Technology in Academic Institutions

In our current world computers and technology have been the most dominant tools to achieve various goals of mankind. Ranging from medicine to engineering and even complex mathematics, technology has proven to be an indispensable tool to visualizing and achieving these goals. However, there has been a major division when it comes to using these technologies in academic institutions for teaching purposes [3]. This proposal aims at pinpointing the advantages and showing just how important they are to the educational sector of the society and answering the questions of “ how effective is technology in institutions of higher learning?” and whether it learners and various institutions are ready to embrace technology during studies. The proposal also addresses the technological devices such as tablets virtual reality and simulations used in teaching [1].

The use of technology in higher institutions of learning has been  a cause of great discussion and debate as to whether it is necessary to implement their use especially during teaching of the various subjects. In an article written by Matthew Lynch on March 4 2017, he adequately explains the various ways in which technology is impacting modern learning methods. On his article he explains that through use of technology, there is active engagement between the students and the learning materials since in his opinion technology is interactive[2]. However, according to Chen-Chieh Lai’s article on Advantages and Disadvantages of Computer Technology in Second Language Acquisition, he pinpoints that by use of technology in teaching, educational costs are increased thus harming the equality and quality of education. He explains that most low income students and school are unable to acquire computers as the basic learning technological tools such as tablets and simulation programs  to be able to utilize the various available technologies hence may result to more resources being spent on training and teaching [4].

 It is  evident that some engineering courses such as architecture, computer engineering, and also mathematicians require the integrated use of technology to give accurate results and prevent miscalculations which may lead to problems if applied to the real world. According to an article by Bryant Nielson on Benefits Of Using Simulations Published on 4/6/2017, the use of simulations especially in the aviation sector is important in that it provides consistent results, immediate feedback and also constant results [4]. Based on a survey by Pearson Foundation, it was found that use of tablets makes it fun for about 78% of students at the college or university level compared to use of books and other writing materials due to the voluminous amount of research and analysis required to be done over a short period of time [3].

The Impact of Technology in Modern Learning Methods

The most effective and quick method to analyze this data is by use of questionnaires. The target populations in my case are students in institutions of higher learning and studying courses related to sciences, engineering and mathematics. The questionnaire contains survey questions that would come in handy when addressing the above questions. The data given will be used to analyze whether the use of technology is relevant in studies and whether it is more advantageous compared to the current methods used to teach the above named subject. Below is a questionnaire which will be used to conduct the survey [6].

Survey On The Benefits Of Technology In The Study Of Engineering, Sciences And Mathematics

SECTION A.

1. What are your current technological skills?
2. Learner
3. Basic
4. Proficient
5. When first did you use technology in your studies?
6. High school
7. College
8. Campus
9. What is you current level of studies
10. Undergraduate
11. Graduate
12. Post graduate
13. How often do you use technology in you studies?
14. Regularly(once per week)
15. Frequently(once per month)
16. Seldom(once per year)
17. Rate the following as agree, strongly agree, disagree or strongly disagree
18. I can easily access technology while in campus…………………..
19. I feel confident in my ability to handle various technological aspects……………..
20. I am easily able to integrate technology during research or studies……………….
21. Is use of technology useful to your studies?
22. Yes a lot
23. Just a little bit
24. Am not sure
25. Are you likely to use multiple technological aspects when studying?
26. Yes am able
27. No am not able
28. How often do you use technology for learning purposes?
29. Very often
30. Often
31. I am not sure
32. Are you capable of presenting ideas and thoughts using technology?
33. Yes I am very capable
34. No, am not able
35. Not sure
36. How often do you experience problems when using technology?
37. Often
38. Seldom
39. Never
40. Is it necessary to use technology in your course?
41. Yes
42. No
43. In general is the school community involved in the use of technology?
44. Very involved
45. Pretty involved
46. Not very involved
47. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the highest how conversant are you with the technology used in tablets?………………………………………………………………….
48. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the highest how crucial is tablet use  to your current mode of study?………………………………………………………………..
49. How many hours do you spend while using technology during studies?
50. All day
51. 12 hours
52. 6 hours
53. How would you rate you parents reaction to the use of technology during studies
54. Supportive
55. Unsupportive
56. Other specify…………………………………………….

SECTION B

1. between books and the tablet which one would you prefer to use when studying?
2. Books
3. Tablet
4. Not sure what to use
5. Based on the answers given above why would you use a book?
6. It is more detailed than electronic sources
7. I have no access to a tablet at the moment
8. Books are easy to understand while studying
9. Based on the answer given in question 2 why would you use a tablet
10. A tablet has more sources compared to a book
11. Tablets look stylish to use during studies
12. I just love the tablet
13. Is the use of a tablet a common occurrence in class during studies?
14. Yes most students use tablets to study
15. No most students do not own tablets
16. If other explain……………………….
17. Do most of the lectures use tablets when teaching?
18. Yes they do often
19. They never use tablets

if other explain…………………..

1. Would you accept to use tablets in class while studying?
2. Yes I would, I have more sources to refer to
3. It looks fun
4. I don’t know how to use a tablet
5. If you were to use a tablet during studies, how would it impact you?
6. It has a lot of educational sources to refer to.
7. I would spend most of my time on social media.
8. Not sure how it would impact me.
9. Is the institution you are currently in ,support use of tablets during lectures?
10. Very supportive
11. it is highly prohibited.
12. I don’t know.
13. On a scale of one to ten how would use of technology via tablets affect the current performance of the entire institution?………………………..
14. On a scale of one to ten how would the campus react if tablets were made mandatory to use during studies?………………………………………..
15. do you feel like the entire institution is ready to handle tablet use during studies?
16. Yes we are all ready
17. We are at least prepared
18. No we are not ready
19. How would you rate your school’s current expenditure on technology?
20. Maximum expense
21. Minimum expense
22. Low expense

1. ? What is your school response on use of technology?
2. Supportive
3. Unsupportive
4. Other……………………………………………

SECTION C

1. Which of these virtual reality devices have you heard of?
2. Google cardboard
3. Microsoft hololens
4. Samsung gear VR
5. None of the above
6. How did you know the above devices exist?
7. Adverts from TVs
8. Magazines
9. Internet
10. Other specify…………..
11. Based on your experience on virtual reality what is your opinion about these devices?
12. Positive
13. Negative
14. Other (please describe)……………………………………………………
15. How often do you use any of the above named devices during studies?
16. Very often
17. Often
18. Seldom
19. How familiar is the concept of virtual reality to you?
20. very familiar
21. slightly familiar
22. I have no idea
23. How often Does your school use virtual reality tools during teaching?
24. Often
25. Seldom
26. Other( please specify)……………………………..
27. Would you like to integrate virtual reality to your studies?
28. Yes very eager
29. No I don’t like it
30. In your opinion what are the advantages of using VR in your studies?(choose the best two)
31. It is more engaging compared to current teaching methods
32. Enables easy understanding of hard concepts
33. Enhances student creativity
34. Is your school infrastructure able to handle use of virtual reality in teaching of SME’s?
35. Very sure it can support
36. Somewhat it can support
37. Not sure it can support
38. On a scale of 1-10 are your fellow students able to use virtual reality tools?………………………………………………………………………………………………………
39. On a scale of 1-10 how able are your teachers with use VR during teaching?……………………………………………………………………………………………….
40. In your own opinion what impact would virtual reality if used in teaching help you in your current studies?……………………………………………………………………………………….
41. Do you think virtual reality and simulation tools would help during studies?
42. Yes it would help a lot
43. Maybe it would help
44. No it won’t help

The main contingency plan that should be carried out is to ensure that the programs purchased to aid in teaching do relate to the course being taught. The technology used should be kept under strict scrutiny to ensure that it is related to the main topic being taught in schools.

1. Minimize fraud technology in teaching
2. Ensure that the technology used adheres to the curriculum
3. Ensure the technology used is relevant to the course being taught
4. Facilitate timely and quick delivery of content by use of technology

Conclusion

To conclude it is evident that use of virtual reality and other simulation programs during teaching could be highly beneficial to both the student and the teachers. It is also true that if technology is used to teach technical subjects such as engineering, mathematics and sciences it would be easier to understand the hard concepts presented during studies. However more investigation should be conducted to determine the validity of using technology in teaching and if possible predict the general outcome of their use to the current curriculum. It is also true that research and other relevant investigations should be done to ensure that the technology used whether virtual reality, simulation or event use of technological tools such as phones and tablets are relevant and applicable to the subject being studied thus becoming less disadvantageous to the students [7].

[1] S. F. Reid, “The Importance of scientific method,” Unpublished manuscript, BSC100: Building Blocks for Science Students, Murdoch Univ., Murdoch, WA, Australia, 2016
[2] I. Holm, Narrator, and J. Fullerton-Smith, Producer, How to Build a Human curriculum . London: BBC; 2012
[3] R. Aedy, Interviewer, D. Hector, Interviewee, and S. Clark, Producer, “The future of learning,” The Buzz, 25 Sept., 2014 [Radio broadcast]. Sydney: ABC Radio.
[4] D. Fisher, Writer, and T. Baker, Presenter, Doctor Who and the Creature From the Pit [Sound recording]. Bath, UK: BBC Audiobooks, 2009.
[5] T. Jones and P. Williams, Reporters, BP releases report into Gulf of Mexico technology use in learning. Lateline, 8 Sept., 2010 [Television broadcast]. Sydney: ABC1 Television.
[6] C. Rogers, Writer and Director, Grrls in IT [Videorecording]. Bendigo, Vic. : Video Education Australasia, 2009.
[7] NRK. “Medieval helpdesk with English subtitles,” YouTube, Feb. 26, 2017 [Video file]. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQHX-SjgQvQ. [Accessed: Jan. 28, 2014].