Why does education need computerization?
The education system reassessing its course and asking the following questions:
- Who is a school graduate? What is the function of today's school?
- What is educational innovation and how should it be expressed in the field of learning?
- What is the connection between technology and pedagogy…?
To relate to these questions and make advances in the educational system, it is important to understand global trends in the reality in which our students live.
The educational input
Students are used to a culture of intense stimuli, one that is intrusive [Big Brother] and global. Human capital is the country's most precious resource, and the State should therefore invest in its students to ensure its security and continued prosperity.
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The educational process
Dealing with the socio-economic pressures towards educational institutes. We must prepare Israeli students for life in the information age and global economic success and 21st century skills.
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The educational output
The system should "produce" graduates who are able to survive and thrive in a highly dynamic environment. The challenge: to move from "teaching content" to "teaching how to learn."
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The five trends that will enable computerization / Dr. Yesha Sivan
- From passive student to active learner
- From teacher to educator
- From schools to information communities [an organization serving the community, determining its goals, rewarding its members and competing with others].
- From end stations to business networks [pooling development resources, professional development, maximizing educational insights].
- From state management to a state enabling autonomous development.
Pedagogical principles / From the Ministry of Education’s program for computerized information sciences
Pedagogical principles expressing the main aspects of educational policy in an online learning environment:
- Creating an integral learning environment enabling availability and maximum accessibility to the technological means for supporting learning as it occurs.
- Flexible and changing organization of time, groups of learners, content and materials in order to exploit the advantages of the new learning environment and the possibilities it offers.
- Using technology to expand the learning environment beyond the boundaries of time and place.
- Using the online environment to create collaboration between the school, the home, the community and additional relevant elements.
- Developing strategies of independent learning and information management, with emphasis on the learner's judgment in making responsible and appropriate choices.
- Acquiring computer skills in the pursuit of content that is relevant and meaningful for children, together with direct teaching when necessary.
- Matching monitoring methods and evaluation with means of teaching and learning, including those means that derive special benefit from the use of new technologies.
- Assessing the individual in relation to himself and his own learning pace as part of planning and adjusting teaching to individual needs, along with normative evaluation oriented towards standard achievements.
- Paying educational attention to ethical issues that typify the online environment.
- Teaching in the online environment and commitment to students' achievements.
The laptop – a window of opportunity for online learning
Cooperative learning – shared environments and tools, networking, expanding circles of discourse.
Developing skills and thinking abilities – illustrating abstract concepts, understanding complex processes, multi-tasking.
Creative experiential learning – presenting information, new means of expression.
Community involvement and strengthening links with the community.
Advanced management of teaching – learning – evaluation means.
Learning in any place and at any time.
The laptop = a digital schoolbag = personal space.
Information-intensive environments and media – digital text books, video clips, presentations, links to unlimited sources.
Updated tools for retrieving and processing information and writing assignments.
Interactive learning.
Systems and tools for managing self-learning and as means of personal and creative expression.
The ability to document processes and outcomes.
Flexibility and adjustment to diversity in choosing content, tasks, tools and pace.
Active learning in context – organized learning that is systematic, dynamic and relevant.
Increasing readiness and motivation to enjoy learning. Expanding the digital toolbox: online skills and information management skills.