Internet and Classroom Enhancement Internet

Internet and Classroom Enhancement

Internet usage

Internet enhancement of the classroom

I The internet allows schools to provide e-learning facilities

a) What is e-learning

b) E- learning is beyond knowledge base

Internet provides the opportunity to deliver varied content

II The internet provides diverse communication Platform for teachers and students

a) Video conferencing: between two schools

b) Virtual class rooms

c) Blogs that encourage inter-students and student teacher communication

Multiple tools for teachers to enhance the learning experience

a) Web base learning videos and audio ( khan academy) website

b) Access to software that is hosted online (Rosetta stone)

c). web site (chandamam.com) india magazine learning website for children

Conclusion

Providing students with the facility to engage with knowledge in different ways is critically important for the modern world. Lan & Chiu (2010) examined the difference between students who received lessons via e-learning and those who did not. They observed a significantly higher learning score as well as a positive attitude toward learning in the students who learnt via e-learning (113). Therefore delivery of educational content via the internet has multiple benefits to both the teacher and the student. The use of the internet in the classroom positively enhances the learning experience for students.

The immediate value of using the internet to deliver aspects of the curriculum is that, the teacher has an option to provide content via e-learning facilities. E-learning refers to the "delivery via WWW, of concise and dynamic educational content and instructional methods which aims to build knowledge and skills in order to enhance the quality of learning" (Pange & Pange 2011, 62). Since the focus of e-learning is the delivery of dynamic educational content to enhance learning once it is properly executed then it will assist in enhancing the classroom experience. This value outweighs any possible negative uses to which the technology might be put to in the school setting. Consequently, e-learning because of its inherent nature improves the learning and teaching experience within the classroom.

Additionally, e-learning allows the teacher to move beyond simply a knowledge-based delivery of content. While knowledge is an important component of the content that is delivered to students it is not the only facet (Garrison, & Vaughn 2007, 34). The heavy dependence on knowledge-based systems limits assessment options for the teacher and does not engage important areas of student learning. One element that is often ignored when there is a focus on knowledge-based systems is that of creativity. Students can be highly creative if given the correct stimuli. The internet provides the facility to deliver content that engages the students creatively, thus improving the classroom experience.

The internet also allows the teacher to deliver varied types of content. The delivery of varied types of content allows the classroom be become more interesting. The student can have content that is suited to their learning styles. Students learn through different domains, some are cognitive, affective or psychomotor (Bloom's taxonomy 2010). To make the class interesting for these different types of learners demands that both the type of content and the delivery of the content be different. The internet when used in an effective manner allows the teacher to provide the class with varied content can enhance the learning experience.

The internet also provides a diverse communication platform for both teachers and students. Communication is an important aspect of the interpersonal arena. Students need to communicate quickly and accurately with each other and also with the teacher. The internet facilitates immediate and continuous communication. Any changes in class time, program, and content can be quickly transmitted to the class. This improved communication experience spills over into the classroom engagement making it more dynamic and enjoyable, as irritations that are linked to miscommunication are eliminated.

Video conferencing provides a unique opportunity to have schools share similar resources. Video conferencing between two schools or even having a guest lecturer via video conferencing is an exciting way to maximize resources. With the use of video conferencing the students benefit from being able to interact with other students in a separate location, this location can be anywhere in the world, giving the learning experience a global feel (Stewart 2010). The simultaneous and interactive nature of the interaction provides important features that enhance the learning experience (Wang & Wilkinson 2007). The study of New Zealand can be brought to life by actually talking with students and teachers in that country rather than simply reading about it. Guest lectures also enhance the classroom experience and it is often difficult to have them on site, video conferencing makes this problem an extant issue.

The use of virtual classrooms is an additional benefit of using the internet that enhances the classroom. The virtual classroom creates a space that encourages students to "devote time and energy to educationally purposeful activities" (Leea, Shenb, & Tsaic, 2010, 554). The virtual classroom uses cutting edge technology to deliver exceptional content online that is more holistic in its orientation (Lambropoulos, & Zaphiris 2007, 2). Students benefit from that experience by being able to go to school at home or at any other location. This flexibility allows the student to work at the time and speed that is most conductive to the student learning. Learning is then placed in the student's hands allowing them to structure their learning experience at their convenience. This option may improve student attitude and encourage greater commitment to work.

Another key feature of the use of the internet is the accessibility of variable tools to enhance the teaching of the teachers. The online resources that are available to a teacher are almost infinite. The available resources range from complete lesson plans to exercises and even examination papers. Many websites also have clear demonstrations as to the method of delivery that is best suited for the subject matter that is being presented by the teacher. This type of resource base is the genesis of the enhanced classroom setting since it would be near impossible to have an enhanced classroom without the teacher doing their job better. Teachers who continuously educate themselves on the most up-to-date techniques and knowledge would also have better classrooms (Sharma, & Elbow 2000). This is very critical since the first pillar of an enhanced classroom is not the material resources but the human resources.

The internet also allows for the use and development of resources that can be deployed to make the learning experience more entertaining and dynamic. Online access to videos, audio and text resources can be transformed by the prepared educator into a classroom experience that is second to none. Introducing multimedia into the lesson delivery can improve the student attentiveness and create lasting memories. Multimedia addresses the student in multiple domains namely the cognitive and the affective (Mae Sincero 2011). In delivering a lesson on the space program the teacher can include footage of the space shuttle taking off and also show lunar landing. These types of inclusions allow the students to connect with the subject in a dynamic manner. This may enhance the retention of information by the student as well as create life long memories that will be useful to the student.

The engagement with the cloud also provides the teacher a place to store and retrieve resources. The days of teachers transporting large volumes of materials are past. The use of cloud storage facilities means that all the necessary media and resources for a class can be stored online and retrieved when it is needed. The internet also can be used to store material for students to access at a later date. Missing classes does not have to be a major issue for the student as the class notes and class lecture can be placed in the cloud for later retrieval by the student. The cloud also provides a unique point of interface for the students as well. Students working on projects can work on them simultaneously co-editing the document, even though they are in different locations (Holschuh, & Caverly 2010, 37). Group work is usually a tedious process and taxes both student and teacher because of the dynamics of the group interaction. Cloud computing eliminates one aspect of the nuisance interaction and makes it possible for all members to be engaged simultaneously.