Literature review

Abstract

The significant advancements seeing in the field of technology has enabled us to do many things that we could not do in the past or to do it faster and different ways. The purpose of this study is to determine the need for scaling up the use of technology in the teaching and learning process in high-schools. Education due to information technology advances can be said to have undergone a metamorphosis that has changed the way we educate, learn, and live today. In the same spirit, in many areas of education it will be more beneficial for students to fully integrate our academic system with technology. This research will mainly utilize participant performance analysis from start to finish of the research process. Impact of the utilization of technology in the learning environment will be determined by tests at the start and the end of the research. The research will go on to compare the study group with a control group which will be measured simultaneously. The parameters measured will be used to determine the outcomes of the use of devices and technological methods and how they change the way of delivery of academic content by teachers using automation and computer-based evaluation system.

Keywords: information technology (IT), delivery of academic content, computer-based evaluation system and automation.

Role of Technology in Education: Do We Need To Change Our Use of Technology in Teaching?

Through research, it has been determined that the use of technology in teaching and learning can be of immense help in developing an innovative young generation (Arkorful & Abaidoo, 2014). As all sectors are making progress in embracing the new technology, the education sector seems to lag as most teachers are not conversant with the computer world (Heitink, Voogt, Verplanken, van Braak, & Fisser, 2015). Therefore, we should encourage the use of technology so that the sector can frontier and guide all other sectors by ensuring that tech-savvy students are produced through this system. This way we will be sure to utilize the innovation of the young minds to become better in our production process and service delivery. If we encourage the use of modern technology from an early age, the children will grow with an open mind, and they will become even more creative and innovative (Henriksen, Mishra, & Fisser, 2016).

Statement of the Problem

This study will evaluate the need for scaling up the application of technology in the teaching and learning processes in high-schools through measurement of the initial cognitive and intellectual abilities of the study group and comparing it with the final measurements and that of the control group.

Research Question/Hypothesis

This research seeks to find answers for the following questions:

1. To what extent do we need to scale up our use of technology in our learning institutions?

2. To what extent do we need to train teachers so that they can use technology effectively in the delivery of academic content and administration of evaluation materials?

3. To what extent do we improve learning and teaching when we use modern methods of teaching such as the use of devices and technological tools?

Definition of Terms

1. Information Technology (IT) – the modern development that allows easy recording, storing and retrieving information.

1. Delivery of academic content – the process of passing information from a teacher to a learner.

1. Computer-based evaluation system and automation – the use of computers to administer tests and assignments to students then automatically grading them with minimal human interaction.

Literature Review

Inadequate Opportunity for Students to be Innovative with Technology

A research done by Selwyn (2017) notes that although there has been a change in the way teaching is done in schools and concerning the application of technology, a lot remains to be done if we want to realize the full potential of students. Just like in the past, students still use pen and paper as the main materials of learning (Goldin & Katz, 2009). This is so even with the innovation of touch screen and stylus-pen technology which enable users to scribble on screens and save their notes in the form of soft copy documents. If we are yet to apply this technology, then it will be tough to introduce other types of technology like the hologram and virtual classrooms (Drijvers, Ball, Barzel, Heid, Cao, & Maschietto, 2016).

Need for Training of Teachers to be Able to Teach Using Modern Technology

The use of modern technology in learning will depend significantly on the ability of the teachers to use these devices (Akçayır & Akçayır, 2017). It is therefore crucial that we ensure that the teachers are first well trained to handle the relevant applications needed for their teaching.

Methodology

Participants

The research will be conducted among high-school students and their teachers with the approval and the introduction from their principals. Participants will be second and third-year high school students and six of their respective teachers.

Settings and arrangements

This research will be done at the school and on the web with weekly training done for three out of the six teachers taking part and the other three being the control group.

Materials and equipment

The research will need training materials for training the teachers and devices such as a laptop, a projector and a smartphone to be provided to each of the teachers undertaking the training for their use during lessons in their classes. Also, the research requires that the students be able to access a smartphone or a computer for the entire period of the study.

Data Collection

Data covering the grades of the students participating in the research will be captured prior to the start of the study. A standard short answer test will be administered on the day of the beginning of the study and the conventional grading system be used to grade the students taking part in the study.

General Procedures

1. General procedures – Each class will be divided into two. One group of teachers and their students will be provided with devices to use during the research period, and the other group will be left to continue in the current state of learning and teaching. All student participants must take the first test and graded by their teachers with the assistance of the researchers. The study group allocated to use advanced technology will be provided with academic materials such as learning videos, photographs, audio materials, and virtual teaching sessions. They will be given online assignments which upon completion, grades the student and provides answers to the questions. The students will also be provided with a wide variety of reading materials and online books. Wireless Fidelity will be enabled for their access to the internet. Also, the teachers will be guided on how to deliver this new content to their students.

1. At the end of the research period, all of the participating students will do a final test to determine the difference brought about by the inclusion of technology in the teaching process. On-line survey will be done for the teachers who took part in the research. They will report their observations regarding their students and the changes and challenges they have faced in the delivery of content when using technology devices.

1. Baseline/probe – Before the commencement of the research at the school, data has to be collected regarding the performance of every student taking part in the research. This data is to be analyzed through comparison by the initial and final test as assessed by the researcher.

1. Independent variables – Three teachers will take part in the on-site training by the researchers on how to use the technology provided to deliver academic content.

General description of the experimental design

This research aims at revealing the role played by technology in the teaching and learning process. During the research period, participants will be monitored to use technology as much as possible in passing academic knowledge. A control group will be monitored concurrently to continue learning as usual, and data will be collected and analyzed. Also, the research will collect teachers’ views and comments on the use of technology in teaching

Reliability/social validity

To calculate reliability, researchers will spend half an hour each day to observe the process of teaching and to learn in the classroom. The validity of feedback tools before and after use will be ensured by an expert team of reviewers.

Discussion

Technology is very important in filling the gaps left by the conventional ways of teaching. It broadens the way a student thinks and provides a vast amount of knowledge through web searches (Collins & Halverson, 2018). This research aims at determining the need for scaling up the use of technology in the teaching of high-school students to bring up innovative and creative professionals. This research is constrained by time and resources. Technology devices are expensive and therefore limit the number of participants for the research.

Implications for Future Research

As this study mainly focuses on the need to scale up the use of technology in teaching and learning, more exclusive research should be conducted to study which technological methods, in particular, should be used for effective teaching and optimum results.

References