Information technologies have affected every aspect of human activity and have a potential role to play in the field of education and training, specially, in distance education to transform it into an innovative form of experience. The need of new technologies in teaching learning process grows stronger and faster. The information age becomes an era of knowledge providing sound and unmatched feasibility for discovery, exchange of information, communication and exploration to strengthen the teaching learning process.
Information technologies help in promoting opportunities of knowledge sharing throughout the world. These can help the teachers and students having up-to-date information and knowledge. Accurate and right information is necessary for effective teaching and learning; and information technologies (Haag, 1998; p.10) are “set of tools that can help provide the right people with the right information at the right time.” Students are independent and they can make best decisions possible about their studies, learning time, place and resources.
Students are able to work in collaborative and interactive learning environments effectively communicating, sharing information and exchanging ideas and learning experiences with all in the environment.
Keywords: Information technologies; teaching learning process; computers; knowledge explosion; media; distance education.
4 Examples I Researched Were:
- Qwizdom is an award-winning developer of interactive learning solutions that enhance presentation deliverability and user engagement. Since 1984, Qwizdom has worked hard to improve how groups – from the classroom to the boardroom – facilitate learning and provide information with ease. The design of our products – software, hardware, online platform – support an interactive and engaging environment that can be quickly implemented to increase participation, provide immediate data feedback, and, most importantly, accelerate and improve comprehension and learning.
- Prezi - Both teachers and students have become numb to conventional classroom presentations, where they’re confronted with slide after slide containing too much information in quick, disjointed succession. Prezi’s zooming canvas opens up the classroom to active learning and interactivity, making lessons understandable, memorable, and fun. “Prezi truly embodies what creativity is about: changing your perspective, connecting and combining ideas, thinking in non-linear ways, and creating in collaboration with others.” Leticia B Cavagnaro, Stanford University
- SMART - Designed for computer-enabled classrooms, SMART Classroom Suite™ interactive learning software provides teachers with the essential tools to manage classrooms, assess students and encourage collaboration. SMART Classroom Suite is designed to easily integrate with your existing classroom technology and your school’s wireless or wired network
- Class Dojo - Through the app, teachers create a free account, add their students’ names and customize the behaviors they want to encourage. During class, positive behavior is reinforced by dishing out feedback points to students, using any computer, tablet or smartphone; these feedback points are displayed in real-time in the classroom with audio-visual cues. The underlying platform automatically compiles this data into reports, letting teachers monitor progress, trends and share information with parents.