The information age has helped developed education in schools in the recent years. ICT in schools has developed in the recent years as now many classrooms use the technology frequently to do all sorts of things throughout the school. They now use a computer to register people’s details about their school life, making it easier as everything is stored in one place. They also now use interactive whiteboards to teach children in large numbers, meaning that the information ages has helped develop the way people work.
SIMS in schools
SIMS in schools, which stands for Student Information Management System, has helped develop the way schools work. You can now monitor a range of different things with this, such as; attendance, behaviour, academic achievements, personal details, school photo and their timetable. This makes it a lot easier as you’re able to just find the details you need really quickly and do what you need to. It means that everything is stored in one place and is more convenient.
This system allows you to record everything you need to, it has many files and is a lot more convenient.
Advantages:
- You can have all the data in one place
- You can keep a record of everything easily
- It is more environmentally friendly than having various different pieces of paper
Disadvantages:
- If the system is down then the whole school will suffer
- You have to pay to install it
- Records can be deleted causing a lot of problems
I personally think that systems such as SIMS are great because they allow you to easily have all the data put on one place and to be kept safely. St Gregory’s use it and it works well for the school as you have everything you need in one place.
Computer use in classrooms
Computer use in classrooms had now become almost essential for the classroom to function properly. Most classrooms today use computers and whiteboards to teach their students the subjects, with these you can use a range of resources to teach the children what they need to know. An interactive whiteboard allows the class to learn as a group and to all participate in the work. Many teachers use it as nowadays the textbook is outdated and many teachers use eBooks to teach their class.
Advantages:
- Saves paper through books
- The whole class can get involved
- It makes things easier in some cases, i.e. explaining something visually
Disadvantages:
- Some people may not see it
- Classes could be halted if the whiteboard does not work
I personally like using computers in classrooms and think that interactive whiteboards are useful as they help show the whole class everything they need to explain.
Computers for students
In most cases, students have their own computer and in all cases they have a log in account. They’re able to save work and keep everything they need to on their account. The use of computers for students is extremely helpful as they might not have computer access at home making it essential they use it at school, this makes it useful for those who need it. Computers for students allow them to be able to do individual research, type up notes and make work more presentable and this is good because it looks better.
Advantages:
- They can do work neatly
- Individual research can be done
- Allows people who don’t have a computer at home to use a computer
Disadvantage:
- It has been proven that hand written notes have more of a benefit than typed up notes
- Some people may not be able to use computer which would take time training
- Would cost the school a lot to have them in every classroom for every student
I personally think that a computer in every class for every student would be helpful as you could always save it and you wouldn’t have lots of different pieces of paper laying around which you usually would throw away. It would allow your work to be more readable and organised.
Computers for teachers
Teachers generally all have a computer to use nowadays because it has become almost essential. They need systems such as SIMS so they can register their students and find out the information needed; it also allows them to register behaviour. They also need the computers because they may need to print out worksheets or do demonstrations on the computers. Computers are essential for teachers in most cases because they’re able to access most things and it can also in most cases enhances their learning and education. Computers for teachers are really helpful and useful and the majority of the teachers have them.
Advantages:
- Computers allow the teachers to involve the whole class
- They can give lessons through fun activities on the board
- Print off worksheets and all
Disadvantage:
- May get distracted
- Accidentally download viruses to school network
I personally think that computers for teachers is essential because it makes their life a lot easier than it would be without. It allows them to teach the class in an array of ways which enhances their education. It allows them to sometimes make the less interesting subjects a little more fun which will make the students want to learn about it more.
Recently it has been questioned that each student should have their own laptop, some people think this is a good idea and are willing to allow them to have it, but others feel as if it not necessary. Laptops for children would be good because they’d be able to access computers all the time, but the cost to give each student one would be impeccably high. I think that laptops would benefit some people but others would get highly distracted.
In conclusion, I think that the information ages had moved on the educational world from chalkboard to interactive boards, it seems that the way in which it is increasing is simply unstoppable.
