Basic concepts of ICT used in education
Basic
concepts of ICT: an overview of distance learning, E-learning and flipped
classrooms
A person who wants to learn something will
find the ways, but a person that does not want to will find excuses. In this
technological age, there are many ways throughout we can learn. Among them, we
have distance learning, e-learning, b-learning, mobile learning and blending
learning.
It is important to highlight the
development that has occurred through technology. Especially, we can see that
the education field have grown because of it. Children and adults can learn
without having a teacher in situ. They could have access to a virtual class and
they can have access to the best teachers of the world by a click.
One of the most surprising thing is that a
cellphone that before was perceived as a simple device. Nowadays, it is a very
useful tool. The mobile learning allows students that normally do not have time
to take a regular class, to have a class anytime they need. They can also
travel and take their classes at the airport while they are waiting to board.
In simple words, the devices have become a source of knowledge. Furthermore,
students can register to online courses or add some apps that could help them
to learn different languages at the same time.
Long time ago, the only way to learn was
attending to a school or by having a tutor at home. Right now, there are no
limits for the learning process and places. We do not need a specific
classroom; we could also work with flipped classrooms.
What is a flipped classroom? What
are its benefits for students? One of his definitions is a room where the
students are introduced to a content at home, and then, they could practice and
work at schools.
One of the main
benefits of flipped classrooms is the focus of the teaching and learning
process. It is going beyond the fulfillment of some content but a relationship
where both side can have a win-win relationship. On the other hand, the
students can reinforce their knowledge and clarify their doubts by watching
videos that the professor send them or design for them. The negative aspect of
this learning is that it works when the students are motivated. If they have a
good connection and internet accessibility, they will succeed with this type of
learning. Another negative aspect related with the students that are not visual
learners is that they might find it boring, difficult or annoying.
One aspect that also
seems interesting comes from the idea that technology also helps students as
well with its different uses. Workers right now, they do not need a PC or a
laptop to work; they can work also with their own devices. Nowadays, there is an
abbreviation BYOD in the professional field that means Bring Your Own Devices.
This strategy helps workers to travel with all their information by allowing them
to carry it every way they go. In the case of the students, many universities
provides free Wi-Fi access for them, they can bring their own devices and be
connected, and as a result, they can obtain their own information.
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