The Role of Computers in

Education
 Introduction
The computer has been
recognized as the 3rd
revolution in education. The
first was the invention of
printing press; the 2nd is the
introduction of libraries.
 Computers developed in the 1950’s.

 Computers are designed to carry out

complicated mathematical and logical
operations.

 Computers are fabulously expensive.

In the beginning experiments were conducted on
programmed instruction.

 FORTRAN
-an easy-to-learn
language.
 Considerations of cost, and

 Hardware reliability

obstacle to wider use of the

computers education.
 Microcomputer
 The advent of microcomputer
in 1975 changed the picture
dramatically.
 The invention of
microprocessor.
MICROPROCESSOR
-tiny chip of silicon which
can store information with
the ability of roomfuls of
original computer circuitry.

it made the computer

affordable to small business,
home and the school.
 The emergence of computer
technology coincided with the awareness
of among educators of the importance of
individualization in learning.

New kind of Literacy

Computer literacy
-which refers to the ability of the
learner to understand and to use
computers.
Analogous to reading
- the computer puts out messages
that require the learner to understand and
to do something that is to respond to a
question or to a computer command.

Analogous to writing
- the user generates messages
that tell the computer what to do in
accordance with the computer language
program.
 Advantages of Computer
 It allows students
to learn at their
own pace by
control over the
rate and sequence
of learning.
 Learning is reinforced
by way of high speed
personalized responses.
 There is a positive
affective climate
learning, especially for
slow learners.
 Color
 Music
 Animated graphics

add realism
and appeal to drill
exercises,laborator
y,activities,
simulations etc.
 Progress in learning is
easily monitored with
the record keeping
ability of computers.
 Massive
information is put
at the disposal of
teacher,information
which he can
control as he keeps
contact with the
learner.
 Other benefits relating to:
-Motivated work improved
efficiency
-broader memory capacity
-time savings etc.

compared with the conventional

modes of learning.
 Limitations of computer
 Computerized instruction is relatively
expensive.Thus cost and benefits must be
assessed to ensure optimal gains in the
use of computer for instruction.
 There is some lag in the production and
design of computers for instruction.High
quality direct-instruction materials are also
not readily available,and may require
compatibility due to exclusiveness of some
educational programs or softwares.
 Creativity may be stifled if creative
or original responses are ignored by
the linear, lock-step control learning
process in the case of run-of-the-mill
computer instruction materials.
 The “novelty effect” associated with
the Computer-Assisted Instruction
may decrease as a computersare
made more easily available at home
and workplace.