Should Laptops Be Banned from the Classroom. Essay Example Essay Example

Should Laptops Be Banned from the Classroom. Essay Example Paper Should Laptops Be Banned from the Classroom. Essay Introduction The world is rapidly progressing to a more technologically advanced era. Information and Communication Technology has influenced individual’s behavior, thinking skills and ability to fulfill daily tasks and responsibilities. As a result, the education system has incorporated technological tools into the curriculum. These tools include: radio broadcasting, computers, audio visual systems, the Internet, virtual learning centers, networks, instructional software, and projectors. Thus, the Ministry of Education’s philosophy (2005, p. 0) states that â€Å"Applying technology in education would enhance human capacity, dynamize the teaching/learning environment, promote creativity, innovation, critical thinking, decision making and lifelong learning. † This predominant point suggests that laptops should not be banned in the classroom at the University level. Reasons are distribution, media, productivity, Internet, software, virtuality, management and environment. From t he inception of the People’s Partnership government in 2010, an innovative approach has been implemented to endorse literacy, numeracy and critical thinking skills. The People’s Partnership (2010) acknowledged that, â€Å"Information Technology based learning will be infused in education at primary and secondary levels to support and complement other forms of teaching, learning and basic research. † As a result, The Prime Minister declared that, â€Å"Every child going on to secondary school from the Secondary Entrance Assessment will be provided with a laptop to begin their secondary school education. † (2010) With reference to this statement, I deem it necessary for laptops to be used at the University level. Students spend majority of their time doing research, completing assignments, downloading notes from e-mails or the internet and most importantly, engaging in computer aided instruction at classes. A Laptop is an effective tool that facilitates lea rning to all students in and out of the classroom. The previously mentioned effective tool aims to change teaching to a student-centered process and make education more relevant. Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society (2010). Laptops allow students the individual attention that fosters learning and provides effective feedback. Apart from this, lesson content are delivered through media in classes. Should Laptops Be Banned from the Classroom. Essay Body Paragraphs Projectors, speakers and laptops are some of the technological tools that promote teaching and learning. With regards to this, the Ministry of Education (2005) states that, The Ministry of Education recognizes the importance of locally produced ICT curriculum resources to support education reform in this digital era. As such, digital resources shall play a central role in integrating ICT into the curriculum, developing innovative practices and transforming the way students learn. To promote more effective use of ICT in the classroom, the MOE shall develop and supply quality digital education resources for teaching, learning and testing. All digital content shall be relevant to the local curriculum and directed toward curriculum outcomes. (p. 26) Students are more motivated to learn and teaching is enthusiastic as students participate in lifelong learning. Additionally, students naturally gravitate to the most attractive mode of content delivery. The implementation of technological to ols such as the laptop increases productivity. Students will develop a more positive attitude towards school and a more organized learning environment. Furthermore, students would be able to complete their work in a shorter period more effectively and efficiently. The laptop enables students to use productivity tools such as Microsoft office which includes word processors, spreadsheets, databases and power point presentations. â€Å"At institutions where technology are fully integrated into the teaching and learning process all students are able to create output using a word processor, spreadsheet and presentation software. † according to the (Ministry of Education, 2005, p. 19) This essential program aids students in their assignments and teachers in their lesson planning. With the use of the laptop, they can construct and create documents in meetings or anywhere convenient. Productivity tools better prepare students for the workplace and foster creativity and innovation to benefit society. According to the (Minister of Education, the Honorable Hazel Manning 2007), â€Å"Let us seize this opportunity to use ICT across the curriculum. Utilize it for your lessons planning, utilize it for the delivery of your lessons. † Simulations are software that enhances learning and allows students to experience real world systems. This makes learning safe and provides students the opportunity to experience the impossible. The Ministry of Education has received funding from the World Bank to support education, but that ICT are not funded. A 2006 IDB grant of US$67,000 was matched by US$45,000 from the government to jumpstart development of the country’s IT sector by increasing capacity in software development. † (Gaible Trucano 2009 p. 66). Courses at the University level use simulations and other software to enhance the lesson and learning. If students are equipped with laptops in the classroom, they can utilize this software while the lesson is being delivered. Understanding of content is increased when students have access to this software. It compresses time, is cost effective and allows repetition so students can maximize learning. â€Å"Educational simulations have a number of advantages over other instructional methodologies and media. Students often find active participation in simulations to be more interesting, intrinsically motivating and closer to real world experiences than other learning modalities. † (Alessi, Trollip, as cited in Lunce, 2006). The internet is another technological tool that fosters learning and is a predominant tool in classrooms. Laptops are equipped with Wi-Fi capabilities, which is a wireless function to connect to the internet. The internet is accessible in all educational institutions and is used in the classroom. Access to a pool of resources, use of course management systems (Blackboard), and e-mail are all primary reasons for internet connections especially for university stud ents. The curriculum has been upgraded and assignments can be submitted online. â€Å"Internet Access will provide for further content. It makes available the vast knowledge and materials on the World Wide Web. Where possible and necessary, the Ministry of Education shall provide high speed Internet access to all its institutions. †(Ministry of Education, 2005, p. 31) If students are engaged in activities that requires research, they can access the internet from their laptops. Another predominant factor is that a student’s personal computer enables them to have their work at hand instead of using the school’s computer. Hence, any extra work that is done at school or during classes can be used when necessary at home. New information is presented every day and further research can always be done to better our understanding. Tons of books and numerous handouts are usual tedious tasks for University students. Not only do you look studious, nerds are your best compet ition as you move around fully loaded. Luckily, the introduction of laptops has diminished this challenging capacity to store and manage information. According to Carter (2006 p. 10), â€Å"The technology is used to help students think and communicate effectively. The computer is a tool. † Moreover, the University of Trinidad and Tobago has created a mission to â€Å"Go Green†, thus saving paper. This allows students to use online books and resources attainable from the features of a laptop. Random access memory allows for this convenient ability for students to move around with everything at hand. Information can be added, modified or updated and even deleted. As time goes by, this collection of information can become frustrating since files may not be usable as it gets old or even misplaced. However, the laptop enables its users to data or information by naming each document or file and selecting its storage space for quick, easy retrieval. Students can store their n otes for each class and retrieve them quickly when the teacher requests or mentions it. According to Dr. Abshire (as cited in Lewin, 2009), At Cienega High School, students who own laptops can register for digital sections of several English, history and science classes. They don’t engage with textbooks that are finite, linear and rote. Teachers need digital resources to find those documents, those blogs, those wikis that get them beyond the plain vanilla curriculum in the textbooks. In conclusion, â€Å"As the Ministry of Education becomes more students centered and ICT driven, we know that greater use must be made of the global currency of information. (Minister of Education, Senator the Honorable Hazel Manning, 2007) Students develop higher cognitive skills and improve collaborative skills with the introduction of ICT in the curriculum. At the university level, students are being educated and prepared for the workplace. Thus, an effective and efficient technological tool is the laptop. If students are allowed to laptops in the classroom, school would be more interesting and motivating as lifelong learning and training cannot be confined to the traditional classroom. References Gaible, E. , Trucano, M. (Eds. ). 2009). Survey of ICT and education in the Caribbean Volume II:Country reports. Washington, DC. Lewin, T. (2009 August 8). In a digital future, textbooks are history. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www. nytimes. com/2009/08/09/education/09textbook. html? _r=1pagewanted=all Lunce, L. (2006). Simulations: Bringing the benefits of situated learning to the traditional classroom. Journal of Applied Educational Technology, 3(1), 38. Manning, S. (2007). Ministry of Education, Illuminant and Hewlett Packard: Increasing the use of ICT in education. Newsday,p. A. 25 Ministry of Education. (2005, September). Draft policy for Information and Communications Technology in Education. Retrieved from http://www. moe. gov. tt/general_pdfs/moe_ict_poli cy. pdf The People’s Partnership. (2010, April), Prosperity for all manifesto. Retrieved from http://www. coptnt. com/ver03/media/peoples-manifesto-2010. pdf Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society. (2010). Laptops in schools programme. Retrieved from http://www. ttcsweb. org/articles/Laptops_in_Schools_Programme. pdf We will write a custom essay sample on Should Laptops Be Banned from the Classroom. Essay Example specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Should Laptops Be Banned from the Classroom. Essay Example specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Should Laptops Be Banned from the Classroom. Essay Example specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer

Art is less important than life but what a poor life without essays

Art is less important than life but what a poor life without essays Since ancient times philosophers and artists struggle to discuss about what, in fact, art is. According to Websters Online Dictionary, art are the products of human creativity. [1] To such wide definition we can class anything as art that comes out of imagination of individuals. Everything that exist has its origins in human mind. That is why art is crucial part of our lives, because it is some piece of us, and as Robert Motherwell once said what a poor life without it. Firstly, art is necessary in life, as it helps us to deal with everyday ordinariness. George Bernard Shaw once said, Without art, the crudeness of reality would make the world unbearable.[2] Many people would probably agree with him. Coming home after hard work we would like to take some rest. Therefore we go to cinema, theatre, some exhibitions, or simply stay home and read some book. All these are art; they have come out of ones imagination. While doing such things we can relax, escape from harsh and so cruel everyday life. Secondly, people need art as they have a want for aesthetics. We often seek for opportunity to do something. Some of us write poetry, paint, create fashion in spare time. For example, cooks learn to add a pinch of a favourite spice to enhance flavour[3], decorate around food by making our table pleasure for eyes. Also the way we dress our body is an art, like decorating our room. Thirdly, we do not even realize that art, actually, is all around. What we eat, wear, see, hear, everything is art. For instance, pieces of furniture in our homes are art. As well as the chair we sit in, the movies we watch and the comics they read. Also paintings on our walls, jewellery we have, our favourite kind of music. Someone had to design all of this. We do not notice that, but people who created all that put a lot of effort to make it exist. So we should sometimes stop for a while and thin ...

The Ethno Science Approach and its View of the Role of Marriage in a Thesis

The Ethno Science Approach and its View of the Role of Marriage in a Society - Thesis Example The purpose of this study is to understand different roles marriage plays in the creation of extended families and kinship patterns. The paper is aimed at an audience of contemporary 21st century couples whose definition of marriage is rooted on the concept of love and compatibility. Bell (1997) describes marriage as a relationship between a man, or more than one man, and one or more than one woman with a â€Å"demand-right of sexual access within a domestic group and identifies women who bear the obligation of yielding to the demands of those specific men† (237). An ethno science approach to the functions of the social institute of marriage seeks to arrive at an accurate and concise description from the eyes of the participants. This is in contrary to the generalized perception of marriage in the contemporary society where marriage fundamentally serves to provide legal and social recognition of a union between two people. For an ethno science perspective, marriage plays a key role in creation of new kinship ties, in the up-bringing of children conceived within the union. Marriage also plays a role in describing the acceptable and unacceptable sexual relations between different members of the society. Ethno science recognizes the role marriage plays in fu nctional division of labor, emotional support, procreation, and rearing of children. Marriage in this case involves the two individuals in the union as well as the social and economic organization of the