W HAT IS C OMPUTER ? A computer is a device that accepts information (in the form of digitalized data) and manipulates it for some result based on a program or sequence of instructions on how the data is to be processed. Complex computers also include the means for storing data (including the program, which is also a form of data) for some necessary duration. A program may be invariable and built into the computer (and called logic circuitry as it is on microprocessor or different programs may be provided to the computer (loaded into its storage and then started by an administrator or user). Today's computers have both kinds of programming.

A DVANTAGES OF COMPUTERS Storage of information Quick data processing Audio-visual aids Better presentation of information Access to the internet Quick information between students, teachers and parents

D ISADVANTAGES Excessive use of computer by students lacks the verbal and non verbal cues necessary for the development of social and emotional skills. Leads to decreased educational effectiveness within a classroom and allow the problems down in the child’s schooling. When computers are used in teaching, there are tendencies that the effective teaching will disappear between the teacher and the learner. This is due to the intervention of the attention that is given by the student to the computer machines. In other words, computers could become a barrier in communication between the teacher and the learner.

The gap between the rich and poor could also be affected since computer machines are seldom accessible by the poor students while advantage is evident to those rich students who usually studies in the leading schools and universities which usually computer and internet facilities. Another consideration is that fundamental skills are sometime neglected. An example of this is the use of the spelling and grammar tools in word processing software which make the students rely on computer machines rather than doing the editing with their own as a way of enhancing their learning. There are certain health disturbances that are associated with computers. Among of these are the eyestrain, repetitive motion injury and more. Computer integration in the teaching and learning process could also give some problems for those students who use to have poor eyesight or vision

U SE OF COMPUTER IN EDUCATION The use of computers and technology in education has changed the learning process of the people in several ways and helped them to enhance their education process in a very short period of time. Moreover Internet has changed the way people work by giving them an access to various information on any subject be it any product, research or any other technical information. It has also changed the way people use to communicate by overcoming hassles of the traditional mail or phone with the use of s and chats or voice chats which are simple and very effective. Internet has also reduced the gap in the teaching process. Now with the use of internet we can have many online courses that are offered my teachers who are located across boundaries who give training through video

conferencing thereby giving a personal touch to individuals who prefer to have a class room coaching but cannot afford to leave their current location. Thus through the use of computers schools, colleges and universities are making scientific, creative, and engineering advances to produce well qualified and highly skilled professionals.

A CCESS TO THE INTERNET Internet can play an important role in education. As it is an enormous information base, it can be harnessed for retrieval of information on a variety of subjects. The Internet can be used to refer to information on different subjects. Both teachers and students benefit from the Internet. Teachers can refer to it for additional information and references on the topics to be taught. Students can refer to web sources for additional information on subjects of their interest. The Internet helps teachers set test papers, frame questions for home assignments and decide project topics. And not just academics, teachers can use web sources for ideas on sports competitions, extra curricular activities, picnics, parties and more. Students can search for the concepts or things which they wish to know, by

referring to relevant websites. The Internet is an ocean of information and surfing daily will increase the knowledge of these students greatly. Another advantage of computers is that the students will be able to gain knowledge of various subjects and things which are other than their school.

N EED OF C OMPUTER We live in a fast-moving world where almost everything must come instantly to us. In this computer era, we depend on the computer to help us complete tasks, and to solve problems. Computers are used in various fields like business, pharmacy, music, education, engineering, defense, transportation, and cooking as they help to ease certain tasks, provide information faster, and speed up the work. Wherever you go whether it is a mechanic’s shop or a fast food restaurant, some form of technology and computers are being used. It may be a computerized cash register or the machine that cleans out your engine but it is a computer and everyone needs basic computer skills to function in today’s job market. By computer education, we mean learning how the basic concepts related to

a computer works, gaining the basic knowledge of computer operation, knowing about the basic components of a computer, the basic concepts behind the use of computers and knowing how some of the elementary computer applications constitute computer education. Learning about the computer basics followed by a practical experience of using a computer is the key to computer education. As computers are widely used today, acquiring computer education is the need of the day today.

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