Computers as Aids to

Teaching
The Advent of Computers in Educational
Technology
greatly revolutionized teaching
methodologies and strategies
teachers are no longer viewed as the
prime source of information.

Computers as Aids to
Teaching
The Advent of Computers in Educational
Technology
there is a chain of changes:
@ in the role of teachers;
@in the modes of learning among students;
@ in the curricular offerings; and
@ in the content in all the three levels of education

Today most jobs including teaching

require that at least the applicants should
possess the basic computer literacy skills
in order to be hired.

Thus it is imperative that computer

applications be a part of the preparation
of the students in teacher education.

Technical Terms
Computer

Hard

ware

CPU
Peripheral

hardware
Soft wares
Multi-media
Internet

Electronic

mail (e-

mail)
Modem
Scanner
CD player
Compact disc read
only memory (CDROM)
Computer assisted
instruction (CAI)

COMPUTER

A computer is a system. It is a combination of related

parts performing a unified job of receiving inputs,
processing the information and transforming them
into a new kind of result.

A computer is made up of hardware and software

HARD WARE

is the physical part of the machine like the

central processing unit (CPU), monitor,
keyboard, mouse, scanner, CD player, LCD
panel, modem, printer, disc drive. Simply it is
the part of the computer that one sees and
touches.

CPU

Monitor

Keyboard

Scanner

CD player

LCD panel

Mouse

Printer

Modem

Disc drive

CPU

The CPU is the brain of the computer system

which holds the computers random access
memory (RAM) and its main storage device or
the hard disk. There is usually a floppy drive
and a CD-ROM or a DVD drive built into CPU.

CPU

PERIPHERAL HARDWARE DEVICES

Peripheral hardware devices like the mouse,

the keyboard, microphone and scanner are
also installed in it.

Mouse

Microphone

Keyboard

Scanner

SOFT WARES

are the programs that make the hardware

function. These are stored in CD ROMS, video
discs, floppy discs, hard drives, audio tapes and
video tapes.

Classification of Software

Word Processing Software

Example: MS Word, Wordstar

Spreadsheet
Example: MS Excel, Lotus 123

Database Management
Example: MS Access, Dbase

Illustration
Example: Paint, Corel Draw

Presentation
Example: MS Powerpoint

Publishing
Example: MS Publisher, Adobe

Programming
Example: MS Visual Basic, Foxpro

Multimedia
Example: Windows Media player

Web Development
Example: HTML, Java

Anti-virus

Example: Norton, Mc Afee

Communication/network
Example: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox

CD ROMS

Video disc

Floppy disc

Audio tapes

Hard drive

Video tape

MULTI-MEDIA

means the use of variety of hard wares and

soft wares or combination of audio video,
graphic designs, animation and computer
data.

INTERNET

is a wide network of computers, its scope is

throughout the world. It is an international
electronic network to connect schools,
universities, government agencies and various
establishments, offices and organizations. The
internet is the main connector of all sub
networks.

ELECTRONIC MAIL (e-mail)

are sent via telephone line networks from the

computer to another, or through modems
which are directed to a computer address or
e-mail address.

MODEM

is the machine that

interfaces several
computers or network
so as to communicate
with each other over
telephone lines.

SCANNER

photocopies images and

translates them to images
the computer can read.

CD PLAYER

allows the playing and

retrieval of information from
CD-ROM.

COMPACT DISC READ ONLY MEMORY

(CD-ROM)

small disc which can incorporate sound, motion,

and video information on specific topics. It is
played in the CD player.

COMPUTER ASSISTED INSTRUCTION(CAI)

soft ware that includes test and activities for

individualized instruction, the performance of
students are being monitored by the system.

Advantages of the Computer

in Teaching and Learning

Lucido and Borabo (1997) gave the following advantages of using the
computer:
1.

It allows students to learn at their own pace by having control over the
rate and sequence of learning.

2.

Learning is reinforced by way of

high speed personalizeda

response.

3. There is a positive affective climate for learning especially for slow

learners.
4.

Color, music, and animated graphics add realism and appeal to drill
exercises, laboratory activities, simulations and others.

5.

Progress in learning is easily monitored with the record keeping ability

of the computers.

6. Massive information is put at disposal of the teacher; information which

he can control as he keeps contacts with the learner.
7. Other benefits relating to: motivated work, improves efficiency, broader
memory capacity, time savings compared with conventional modes of
learning.

Disadvantages of the Computer in Teaching

and Learning

1.Computerized
instruction
is
relatively
expensive. The cost and benefits must be
assessed to ensure optimal gains.

Disadvantages of the Computer in

Teaching and Learning
2. There is some lag in the production
and design of computers for instruction.
High quality direct instruction materials
are not readily available and may
require compatibility due to
exclusiveness of some educational
programs or soft ware.

Disadvantages of the Computer in Teaching

and Learning
3.Creativity may be stifled if creative original
responses are ignored by the linear, lock-step
control learning process in the case of run-ofthe mill computer instruction materials.

Disadvantages of the Computer in

Teaching and Learning

4.The novelty effect associated with CAI may

decrease as computers are made more
easily available at home and in the
workplace.

Indeed, with the computers the gateways of

personal, educational, social and even
economic progress has been widely opened.

With computers we can do most

everything. In educational parlance,
teachers and students as well only
need to lift a finger to do research
and to present illustrations, pictures
and graphics by way of animation to
make teaching and learning more
impressive, more interesting and
permanent.

One can also access up to date

information across the world
anytime by chat or
e-mail, thus enriching
knowledge and information.

 sometimes called simply "the Net," is a

worldwide system of computer networks.
instant source of information.
is a valuable medium for communication.

Source:http://searchwindevelopment.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid8_gci212370,00.html

In addition to educational institutions, government

and non government organizations have gone on line
and many more are joining the net.

One can enjoy the benefit of an

instant transaction with friends and
relatives across the globe.