New Technology? New Education?

What do you all think about education? When we talk about education, what will it be in your mind? Is it during school time that you need to wake up early, get prepared of yourself, rushing for the bus, scared of teacher calling up to answer questions or even afraid of being scolded by the teacher when you forgot to bring your books? How about when I say technology and education? 
 Ar hak …..you feel that is much different right!!!!!

At this moment, I will think about the  . Why do I say so? Do you all think that Facebook is widely used around the world? One of the examples that I learnt from the Facebook is there is a page on “Facebook in Education” (https://www.facebook.com/education). This page is really interesting because it supplies many information for everyone around the world such as updating people on the educational side, commenting on the issues that happen around the world, linking  people so that they know more about education, gathering people  of different professions to publish combined updates for everyone to obtain information easily, posting articles or latest news to share with everyone, or even inviting people to a talk or event on certain topics. According to Andre H. Caron, policy makers have persuaded the public that spending money on computers and high speed Internet connection is a concrete, easy-to-understand, quantifiable way to improve education.(Pier Cesare Rivoltella, 2008:278) In your opinion, is new technology the magic bullet for education?

Next, I will think about the . For me, E-learning sometimes can be very useful but sometimes not. First, I think that E-learning is useful in my life because some of my lecturers often use it during lectures. One of my lecturers, Professor Ramli has been using this tool widely. For example, he made used of it to update latest information for teaching materials, record attendance, publish score  marks for group assignments and other related tasks. Don’t you think that E-learning is useful?

Another convenience that Internet has brought us is   distance learning. This is especially  useful for those people who are working and wish to further their studies. These part time students are able to get all the study materials through online,  have their lecture and tutorial classes through web-camp, and they can even pay their fees through e-Banking. One can also choose the exam dates which are most convenient.  

How about? Does ipad help in your study?  YES, it is true that we can use ipad to access internet. It is very convenient to bring it anywhere you go. But how many of us can afford to buy an ipad? For those who are rich, surely is not a problem for them. How about those who are so called “not-so-rich” people? Do they have a chance to use it? According to a blog (http://gigaom.com/apple/pros-cons-ipad-education/) by Mark Crump, he said that the pros of using ipad are better battery life, light weight, easier to do work in the library and more. The cons of using ipad are lack of e-textbooks, no camera, no full-size keyboard and more. But do you all think that if we really have a chance to use an ipad during our class, will we really focus on what our lecturer teach? Or can we multitask by playing online games and taking down important notes at the same time?

After reading my post, do you all feel that technology is a need in education? According to Everette Rogers, Eterlistoller Pool and Brian Winston had a view of technoneutalist or we call it as “Pandangan Berkecuali” implying that the implications of communications technology may be good or bad. But it is always dependent on the individual needs. If they feel that technology is very important for them, they will feel that technology is really useful in their daily life. On the other hand, they will feel that technology is just a tool for them when they need it. How about you? What do you think about technology in the form of education?

THINK ABOUT IT!!!