The Internet
The internet and online platforms have dramatically transformed the global landscape, leaving a mark that encompasses both positive and negative aspects. In today’s world, internet connectivity is an essential component of households, institutions, ministries, and educational establishments. It has permeated every sector, including economic, political, commercial, service-oriented, and educational realms. Recently, the education sector has benefited immensely from internet services, facilitating the process of learning and making access to information and expertise more convenient than ever. In this article, we will explore the impact of the internet on education, highlighting some of its advantages and disadvantages.
Internet and Education
The internet has served education in various ways, creating a significant linkage between the concepts of learning and online resources. Some of the key services that the internet provides to the educational landscape include:
- Enhancing access to desired information and data through a plethora of educational websites that promote knowledge and cultural exchange.
- Facilitating the administration of monthly and term examinations.
- Enabling students to obtain results and performance metrics from the comfort of their homes.
- Encouraging students, particularly younger ones, to embrace the learning process, thanks to innovative schools that utilize technology and the internet for information dissemination.
- Inspiring a love for reading among students through various online platforms that offer downloadable e-books.
- Providing opportunities for open learning or distance education, especially for individuals residing in remote or rural areas.
- Ensuring that students with special needs can access their right to an education with greater ease.
The Impact of the Internet on Learning and Education
The effects of the internet on learning and education are mixed, and opinions among educators and intellectuals vary on this topic. Some advocate for the presence of the internet in every school and educational institution due to the conveniences it introduces and its positive influence on both students and teachers. Notable benefits include:
- Empowering students and teachers to communicate anytime when needed.
- Assisting shy students or those apprehensive about speaking in public to express their opinions and convey their ideas.
- Eliminating time constraints, allowing teachers sufficient time to share information without being restricted by limited class durations.
Conversely, traditional educators argue that the negative implications of the internet often overshadow its advantages. Their concerns include:
- Minimizing the role of the teacher and reducing the necessity of their presence compared to the past.
- Undermining the inherent value of education and learning, as it has become widely accessible to everyone without exception.
- Devaluing the importance of information and the pursuit of knowledge.
- Reducing the significance of libraries and physical books.
- Questioning the accuracy of information due to the abundance of online sites that may provide misleading or incorrect data.
References
- ↑ “Internet”, www.computerhope.com, Retrieved 21-6-2018. Edited.
- ^ a b “10 Top Advantages and Disadvantages of Technology in Education”, greengarageblog.org, Retrieved 21-6-2018. Edited.