Importance of Internet to Education
The Internet has introduced improvements in technology, communication
and online entertainment, but it is also incredibly useful for education
purposes as well. Teachers use the Internet to supplement their
lessons, and a number of prestigious universities have opened up free
online lectures and courses to everyone. It has even allowed retired
teachers to read to and educate children in poorer countries. Widespread
use of the Internet has opened up a substantial amount of knowledge to a
much broader range of people than ever before.
Enhanced Lessons
Teachers can make use of the Internet by giving students extra
resources and material from the Internet, such as interactive lessons
and educational games. Many college courses use a "hybrid" model where
many lessons are done online, requiring fewer in-class meetings. This
saves students from having to commute to campus with their heavy
textbooks every day. Tests, homework, collaboration with students and
research can all be done from any computer with Internet access. Even
for non-hybrid classes, the Internet is used as an addition to normal
studies.
Study and Research
The Internet contains a wealth of knowledge that is available
instantly upon any search. Because of this, the Internet has superseded
libraries as a source for information gathering and research. Many
teachers will now ask students to visit specific websites to study from
home, and online encyclopedias provide masses of knowledge on almost
every topic imaginable. The variety of sources allows students to pursue
subjects in much greater detail rather than being limited to whatever
the teacher sends home.
Communication
It used to be that students that forgot work, missed a lecture or
couldn't remember an assignment were out of luck until talking face to
face with a teacher or a classmate. However, the Internet allows
instantaneous connection to your classmates and teachers. Improving
communication between students and teachers allows teachers to assist
students without having to stay after class. It also allows for students
to have greater efficiency when working on projects with their peers
when everyone cannot attend or asking for clarification when something
is unclear.
Accessibility
A number of universities, such as Harvard, Yale and Stanford, have
opened up free courses on a variety of subjects that are accessible to
anyone for free. These typically come in the form of lectures on video,
but some also have notes attached. This means there is easy access to
plenty of free lectures without emptying your bank account to pay
tuition. The Internet also makes education accessible to impoverished
communities. The "Granny Cloud," for example, made use of Skype as a
number of volunteers, mostly retired teachers, read stories aloud over
Skype to children in India to teach them how to read.
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