Educational Technology Assessment

Educational Technology Assessment
Students name:
University:
Educational Technology Assessment
Introduction
Educational technology assessment is the process of collecting and interpreting data for informing students, board of members, and other interested parties about the progress they are making towards a certain technology mastering. The assessment informs financiers and other personnel who make educational decisions about technology implementation. Educational technology assessment helps in reporting and supporting learning. The effective use of technological tools such as computers and other machines is very important in learning. Educational technology concerns a collection of tools such as networking hardware, machines and media with consideration of their applications. Modern educational technology in institutions and universities includese-learning, learning technology, instructional technology, EdTech, computer based instruction (CBI), information and communication technology (ICT) in education, internet based training, online education and m-learning and digital learning.
Online Learning Technology in University of Connecticut
Educational technology such as e-learning or online learning can occur in or out of classroom. The online educational technology practice as worked for many universities and institutions. Online learning has helped distance learners and educators as one can acquire services from home, businesses, schools and other settings (Clark, 2011). Online learning offers students and tutors new ways of learning and teaching with interactive environment. E learning is effective for organizations wishing to develop students with flexible ways of learning without feeling pressured(Baker, 1994).
Students gain a lot from eLearningsince its introduction in the university. The system of eLearning is future oriented. Since the world is moving towards a digital world where everything comes in on screens and small gadgets, the using of e learning in the university prepares students for the future live. The future is all about gadgets and technology in education is important thus should not rag behind. E learning in the system improved skills in students and tutors. The educational technology improves communication in students, global awareness, team building, and self-direction, valuing diversity, problem solving, planning, presentation, listening and many other traits (Anderson, 2008).
Educational technology makes leaning interesting for both students and tutors; e learning engages and challenges students with new and interactive methods. The technology is employed by the university to explore the capacity of students and tolerance in learning difficult matters. Studentsdo not have to go to class in order to learn, tutors send recorded lessons in form of videos, audios and presentations for students through an online platform. Students can also record live lessons with their tutors and take them home to revise them at their own time. Students who desire to take more than one course can comfortably register online learning in the university they desire and achieve their goals.
Students in Asia, Africa, Europe and America access notes and revision materials and share them with other students with the help of e learning (Clark, 2011). The system enables students to increase collaboration, since students and tutors from all over the world join an online platform of learning thus creating one community that does not consider gender, race or religious background.Nations are encouraging the introduction of e learning in the curriculum of all universities and collaboration of students to strengthen relationship among countries in the world(Hepplestone, 2011).
Online Learning vs. Traditional Classroom Learning, Compare and Contrast
Participation
In classrooms, students generally ask questions and participate in discussions. Students who are talkative, social and bright ones only get a chance to participate. These however discourages shy students from participating openly in classrooms activity while online learning encourages all participation of students as they only require to type in their answers and comments in the discussion chats. Thus, both online and traditional ways of learning assess learners though through different ways.
Student and Tutor Relationship
Online learning lacks face-to-face interactions with students compared to traditional classroom learning. Forums, discussion rooms and chats are used to build online community instead. Students who attend online classes also lack to know their teachers in person while classroom learning allows that relationship of instructor student to exist.
Assignments Offered
Students who attend normal classroom have a chance of getting all kind of assessments including oral while online learners have a trimmed assessments. The grading of learners through student participation in discussion and paper work is different in online learning.
Materials for Learning Movement
Carrying bulk books around is cumbersome and students tend to lose books easily, the university online technology makes sure students do not carry books around. Students feel free since they no longer need to carry books around. Books can be accessed online and students now only carry laptops or a tablet that contains all their books and projects. The university cuts costs of replacing books that get lost in the hands of students and saves on buying many copies of one book.
In the University of Connecticut, Students register online using online technology, initially students registered for new semesters by manual queuing and submitting their forms of registration and other necessary materials (Heineke & Blasi, 2001).. The online technology benefited both students and the university in various ways such as saving of time thus starting classes early, reduces expenditures incurred in the registration process, students do not have to travel to the university to physically register themselves and its convenience than manual registration.
Work environment faces many effects from the technology in the educational sector. The technology motivates students to learn without the necessary follow up of tutors on them. The tutors get more time to do other activities without interrupting the learning program. Students and tutors can find a side job to do and make money for their personal needs while they are still attending their studies. The online learning technology saves travelling time to classes and times spent on classes and create more free time for students to find a side job to do. Students can create a schedule on how they spend their time. The system promotes further study for postgraduate students while they are still working. Working class people can attend their master’s degrees on online learning and keep their jobs. The system widened the working environment of learners, tutors teach when in holidays by use of Skype or though recording lessons, and preparing notes them sending them through the internet to students. The technology made all environment to a working possible environment(Spector, 2013).
E learning may appear daunting no matter the size and financial stability of a firm or an institution. ELearning system in the university faced challenges during its implementation. However, despite the challenges, the university finally implemented the system and launched itsuccessfully.Many challenges are still trailing the e learning program in Connecticut and the evaluation of e learning in the institution revealed that the system faced the following challenges
The initial cost for laying the foundation of the project was very high. The university spent a lot of money to hire experts for the development of the program. The cost of acquiring necessary hardware and other materials such as computers, networking devices and cables was devastating for the institution.
Resistance from lecturers, students and other workers in the university. The system required each student to own a laptop or a computer, tablet and some basic skills and knowledge on the usage of computers. Lectures and other staff members resisted the project since most of them had little or no idea on handling computers. Some felt the new technology was a threat to their jobs. Some students were happy of the e learning technology but some requited for more time to own a laptop.
Lack of learners’ motivation. The students face an overall low learner motivation. This happens when the students are no...