The Evaluation of the Course &quot;Introduction to School Experience I&quot; with Respect to Information Technologies
Author: Isman, Aytekin
Date: 2003-04-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Information Technology,Preservice Teachers,Education Courses,College Freshmen,Course Evaluation,Questionnaires,Statistical Analysis,Student Characteristics,Student Experience

Technology shows a fast development thus affecting our social life in management, banking, education and so forth. Therefore, educators should respect scientific and technological developments. Taking into consideration the fact that most education reform leaders recognized that technology is just a sideshow and that education is an eternal institution and that reform requires doing more of the same only better to Perelman (1992). One of the most important technologies of today is the computer. In all aspects of life, computers are widely used especially in education. In schools the use of information technologies has increased dramatically in Turkish Higher Education system. In the colleges in 2001, there were more than 100,000 information technologies (TV, computer, internet, data projection and others). This number increased to over 200,000 by the year 2002. Some information technologies, for example computers, are widely used for instruction and administrative management and in education settings (Maddux, Johnson, &amp; Willis, 1997) thus affecting all facets of our lives. Technology can fit comfortably with the teachers' instructional plans and philosophy thus representing an extension rather than an alternative or an addition (Grabe &amp; Grabe, 2001). Instructional technology can play various roles in classrooms. With the use of information technologies, students can play an active role in instructions. It also enhances interaction among students so that they can share their learning experiences and collaborate with each other, and construct new knowledge in their minds. The teacher's role then shifts from &quot;dispenser of knowledge&quot; to &quot;facilitator of learning&quot; (Grabe &amp; Grabe, 2001). The fact that information technologies have changed the educational system is lucid. The productivity of students in college level towards institution and the subject studied have shown a positive result (Geisert &amp; Futrell, 2000). Computers can help students to attain specific instructional objectives. Students can become active participants in learning (Simon &amp; Thompson, 1994). In an information technology based environment, learners can make progress at their own space. Computers can be an effective teaching aid to instruction and improve the learning (Anglin, 1995; Simonson &amp; Thompson, 1994). Information technologies can offer appropriate feedback to learners' responses. In considering technology effectiveness in the classroom situation and its influence on our society, it becomes critical that school should plan to educate students accurately in the use of information technologies (Merrill at al., 1992). Information technologies should be properly integrated with the curriculum. Information based learning is the most popular term used to describe technology application in education as well as the interaction of a learner with the information technology in the Turkish education system. In order to be able to use information technologies effectively and innovatively in class, student-teachers should be trained and or educated properly.