COMPUTER EDUCATION IN DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
By Sultan Muhammad
Computer education in developed countries is the most essential part of their education. They introduced computers in their schools from the very primary level to develop the mental abilities of children. They use computer as equipment to polish the mind of the students and especially for the mentally retarded children.
They use computer for this purpose in different ways:
2.3 PLAYING GAMES
According to researchers, playing games on computer, a child can enhance the power of decision-making. It sharpens the mental capabilities of the children. There are different types of games. Some games are only for enjoyment, while others are for educational purpose.
The games, which help in education processes, are better than the games for enjoyment; though both types of games increase the power of decision making. Educational games help the children in their subjects and increase their worldly knowledge as also their vocabulary. It can improve their English language ability and also of mathematics.
Now days in modern world, they have all kinds of subjects in the form of games. All such games are available in Pakistan. The present-day computer has the ability to teach a student without the help of the teacher.
2.4 NETWORKED MULTIMEDIA
The use of networking and multimedia in educational institutions are exceeding and in certain ways it is becoming an alternative to the traditional means of education. Audio and video can now be digitized and placed along with software on video-capable file servers, such as the Cheetah Multimedia Network Server by TNCi (The Network Connection). In this system, multiple users simultaneously from their computers may access different segments of a video or audio clip. Another advantage is that it is not necessary for single computer stations to have a multimedia; students at any networked station may access multimedia resources directly on the server. This server-based setup means that teachers and learners in remote locations with network access can use instructional materials. Smart classrooms, which are set up to display video, videodisc, and computer output to a room full of students, allow faculty to incorporate networked lab resources into their regular instruction.
2.5 EDUCATION THROUGH INTERNET
The other most important source of education in today’s world is Internet. With the help of Internet, a student can get any kind of information that he wants. Today we have virtual universities, providing education through Internet, just like “open universities”. They have the facility of video and audio available 24 hour. One can study his courses through computers. Today computer is the fastest and most powerful media of education. All types of books are available on net. Anyone, who has a computer and Internet facility, can have access to these books and other valuable information that is available on Internet. They can communicate to each other and discuss their problems. They can discuss their problems with related people. Today world is changing to a “global village” where everyone can get information from the any part of the world. Student can communicate with the professor of known universities to solve their problems. Today students have the facility to chat with the people in other countries.
2.6 Video conference facility
Videoconference facility is an essential part of computer education. Today teachers are sitting miles away from their students and can still teach them by using Internet and audio videoconference facility. They can see each other if so desired.
All the above are used by the distance education universities in developed countries. Even in Pakistan a virtual university has recently been established for the provision of distance learning/ education with the help of computers networked through the Internet.
(Analysis of Computer education and syllabus for B.Ed / M.Ed students at Institute of Education and Research, University of Peshawar)
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