Saturday 30 March 2013

IMPORTANCE OF NEW MEDIA IN EDUCATION



We have gone from a time when citizens of the world were consumers of media to a time when we are becoming producers of content a time when information is controlled by many more than just a few, as it has been in the past. It is only a few years old, but the potential of what New Media can do and the role it will play in shaping society and setting the agenda on issues that affect the lives of people are going to be significant and crucial as we move forward.

New Way of Education System
There are several reasons why one would like to use new media in technology education. In the first place there is a motivational reason for that. Many teachers have the experience that the use of new media excites pupils. They are more motivated to go through the content of a course when this course is supported by new media in which video fragments, animations, interactive information is offered to them. Research has confirmed the positive attitude of pupils towards learning about and with computers. In the second place the use of new media is almost unavoidable when Technology Education is to offer a valid representation of what goes on in professional practice. In almost any profession new media have become widely accepted. Pupils and students should get to know these media in education to prepare them for whatever future career. In the third place new media can support different learning styles and thus can help teachers do justice to those different learning styles. Of course this only works when the new media are used in a proper and sophisticated way. But when that is the case, they can be a powerful tool to deal with differences between different pupils and students in one group.

If  schools and education systems can shift from content to process, part of the path will be cleared for the development of new literacy’s. Such a shift includes letting go of our subject based curricula to open orientations: inquiry based learning, learning about cognition, thinking about thinking, learning the value of cooperation. Certain soft skills, such as respect for diversity and intercultural communication, will come to the forefront in teacher development because these are the issues that ‘pop up’ when dealing with new and constantly changing environments. Many schools Bangalore is these days using the new media to support and enhance the learning process of their students.

Monday 25 March 2013

Why we need Global Education


As a result of many ties of interdependence among countries, the world we live in has evolved into a globalised system. Recent history unquestionably shows that the lives of the men and women of this planet may be affected by events and processes thousands of kilometres away. World-wide economic, geopolitical and social relations, modern communications and technologies, media and transport allow a fast flow of information. People and goods are both causes and characteristics of globalization as a process that leads to an interdependent world and to what nowadays is called globalization.
Globalisation poses fundamental challenges for all areas of education in every country. it provides access to people, cultures, economies and languages in a new way. In this context education on global issues may be regarded purely in market driven terms as enhancing the skills and knowledge to be efficient consumers and workers in the global economy, for those who have access to the market. However, the importance of education lies in helping people recognise their role and individual and collective responsibilities as active members of this global community in the sense of engagement for social and economic justice for all and the protection and restoration of the earth’s ecosystems. Global education is the pedagogical concept behind this vision.

Education System In India
Here we can quote a perspective of US President Barack Obama on the concept of global education. He believes:

 “A GLOBAL EDUCATED STUDENT CAN:

·         Investigate the World

·         Generate and explain the significance of locally, regionally or globally focused researchable questions.
·         Identify, collect and analyze the knowledge and evidence required to answer questions using a variety of international sources, media and languages.

·         Weigh, integrate and synthesize evidence collected to construct coherent responses that is appropriate to the context of issues or problems.

·         Develop an argument based on compelling evidence that considers multiple perspectives and draws defensible conclusions.

Global education is about implementing the vision required to move to a model of partnership between peoples, cultures and religions at micro and macro levels. Transformative learning through global education involves a deep, structural shift in the basic premises of thoughts, feelings and actions. It is an education for the mind as well as for the heart. This implies a radical change towards interconnectedness and creates possibilities for achieving more equality, social justice, understanding and cooperation amongst peoples.”
Global education aims at developing learning communities, in which learners and educators are encouraged to work cooperatively on global issues and it promotes participation in action. In other words, it invites educators and learners to act dynamically for a more just and equal world for all.

Thursday 21 March 2013

International Schools is an environment that inspires thinking.




Welcome to Oakridge , Where a personalized learning approach – that includes both classroom and non-classroom based teaching – is the way. Because we believe every child possesses a set of skills and talent that need to be nurtured. Backed by a proven experience of over a decade at the Newton Campus, Gachibowli, we have adopted this model for the Einstein campus. Moreover, the broad scope of curriculum supported by a progressive environment nurtures children to realize their capabilities.

Education system in India
Oakridge is a benchmark; very few schools in India can match. The environment radiates an air of inspiration, energy, attitude, and engages students in the habit of enquiry. This helps children enjoy the process of acquiring knowledge and become lifelong learners. As such, the focus is to go beyond the textbook, and gain knowledge from observation and experimentation. 

A glimpse of the campus, right here.

Oakridge Einstein, Bachupally, spread across 8 acres offers parents the opportunity to give their child international education, all at a price that’s easy. Thanks to Stepping Stone, the scholarship programs me which every child walking in for an admission here can take. Though the Einstein campus is located far from the noisy environs of the city, it’s replete with superior-class infrastructure, sports facilities and technologically advanced set up that ensure these young citizens of tomorrow are as comfortable with the latest in technology as their peers.

Oakridge Einstein international schools - provides a wide range of indoor facilities to foster and promote integrated development of the child. From cricket stadiums to swimming pools to tennis courts. The facilities include spacious digital air-conditioned classrooms of 550 sft. That has computers in the classroom supported by internet connectivity. Interactive CD/DVDs bring learning alive with the help of an LCD projector, as it enables probing and clarity, making the classroom experience altogether different.

Curriculum that sets the foundation for success.

Oakridge Einstein offers students from Nursery to Standard 5, the Primary Years Program of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) or the Cambridge International Primary Program (CIPP). The International Baccalaureate (IB) offers high quality programmes of international education to a worldwide community of schools. CIE (Cambridge International Examinations) is the world’s largest provider of international qualifications for the 14 to 19 year olds. Post V standard, students may opt for either the IGCSE or the CBSE syllabus. The focus of  best international schools is that, students planning to travel abroad should adjust to the syllabus in their new environment. The fact that this quality of education comes at a price that is easy to decide, makes Oakridge Einstein an encouraging feature for parents to give top-class education to their children.

Tuesday 19 March 2013

Influence of Digital Revolution on Kids


We, in this 21st century are witnessing the technology boom especially the digital revolution. In the earlier days necessity was the mother of inventions but now a day it has changed vice versa and the key to all is the development in the field of digital media. There is no need of any theories to prove this point as we can see it in our surroundings itself. When I was a kid I never had an idea about how a computer will look like. I was in 8th standard when I first touched one. The situation is completely different now as each and every person is exposed to this media especially our young generation. All of them are very familiar with computers and understand the basics of it very easily. 

Education System in India
Since we are looking forward to future, we can discuss about the digital media and young generation. Young people and our school going children are more attached to this media because it keeps them connected with their world. There are many benefits due to the digital media influence these days. Schools themselves are promoting the usage of it keeping in mind that the outside world is running in this media. Many schools in India especially international schools in India are providing diverse courses in their curriculum to teach computer and its hardware.

The digital revolution has facilitated the children in various ways as it reduced the hardships of studies through a variety of illustrations and it lightened the work by a range of options. There are many schools in Hyderabad who made IT as one of their core teaching subjects keeping in mind the peculiarity of the place as it is one of the major IT hubs of the country. 

Monday 18 March 2013

Boarding Schools and Personality Development

Boarding schools are emerging in a larger number these days. Before we choose any boarding school first and foremost thing to be taken care is availability of opportunity for overall personality development of a student. The three things on which boarding school life concentrate are planning, organizing and individuality. Self sufficiency in children is the core on which the whole ideology of boarding school is based. Students who take admission in boarding schools are benefited with certain things like discipline, self reliance, and personality along with better academic results as they are getting more study hours. The opportunity and time available to children for co curricular activities are high when compared in boarding schools

Education system in india
Apart from Indian students Oakridge International Boarding School Vizag has international students from various parts of the world including South Korea, Thailand, Nepal, Srilanka and United States. Indian Boarding Schools are considered to be the ultimate destination for cultural exchange worldwide as we follow strong fundamental tradition and culture. So reflecting same ideology Oakridge International Boarding School Vizag welcome international students and this benefits Indian as well as foreign students to understand and replicate the positive elements in each culture. Other than the cultural aspect India is known for best systematic education in Science and Math subjects. This could be another reason for considering India as destination for best boarding schools. 

Wednesday 13 March 2013

Emerging Technologies and Increasing Security Issues


It goes without saying that almost everyone enjoys the invention of the internet. It is the greatest invention of the 20th century. In fact, today our global communication is functioning based on the internet as it airs all kinds of information. Certainly teenagers compose a major group of the internet users as they research for papers, chat with friends, read e-mails and so on. It appears to us as that the internet has become so convenient to us that we can barely live without it. However we might want to its pros and cons to the younger generation.

The Internet can be a wonderful resource for kids. They can use it to explore wide topics and make use for school reports, communicate with teachers and other kids, and play interactive games. But that access can also pose hazards.  It’s important to be aware of what your kids see and hear on the Internet, who they meet, and what they share about themselves online.  Just like any safety issue, it's wise to talk with your kids about your concerns, take advantage of resources to protect them, and keep a close eye on their activities.
There are many laws existing to protect the interest of the internet users and provide safe usage of the technology. But even with this law, your kids' best online protection is you. By talking to them about potential online dangers and monitoring their computer use, you'll help them surf the Internet safely. Online tools are available that will let you control your kids' access to adult material and help protect them from Internet predators. No option is going to guarantee that they'll be kept away from 100% of the risks on the Internet. So it's important to be aware of your kids' computer activities and educate them about online risks.

Many Internet service providers provide parent-control options to block certain material from coming into a computer. You can also get software that helps block access to certain sites and network security.  Filtering programs can block sites from coming in and restrict personal information from being sent online. Aside from these tools, it's wise to take an active role in protecting your kids from Internet predators and sexually explicit materials online. Set up some simple rules for your kids to follow while they're using the Internet, such as ignoring unwanted mails and content, be away from people who are strangers, never disclose private information into public and so on.

If the child is spending more time on internet than he/she is supposed to, take care without creating an issue and calmly make them understand the danger of it. Also make use of software available for the protection of your computer and your privacy. Even after taking all precautions things are going out of control and you are in threat, approach the law available in our country to protect you from cyber crimes.   

Monday 11 March 2013

New Media and Education Sector



Before the 1980s, students made calculations by hand calculators were expensive, fragile, and had short battery life. When a student wanted to look up information, they headed to the library.  Now, calculators and Internet access are old news, and students today are looking to learn from brand new technologies such as Twitter, Facebook, and Smartphone. As technologies advance, we use these emerging tools to our advantage. Each technology provides potential benefits to help people learn, but at what cost? The changes in how we learn with new technologies can have both positive and negative effects on our ability to learn and on the educational systems at large.

Social networking sites allow students to explore their interests on a global scale and discuss their interests with a wider range of people. This has huge implications for self-learning, as information and resources are much more available than they were previously. And it undoubtedly proven that the growth in the technologies erased the difficulties in learning process and helped the augmentation of education sector in India and abroad.

New technologies and ways of learning could significantly change education of the future. The Internet allows people to search through digital knowledge and connect people to teachers and experts. Textbooks can become interactive and can easily include updates and corrections. Students will likely be able to get coursework from whichever university they choose, and courses will likely be collaborative and public. These changes will allow universities to teach anyone willing to learn, rather than only a select few in a classroom.

In the future, we can expect that new technologies will emerge, and they will be increasingly useful for educational purposes. As technology changes, the way we learn will change, and educational systems will be forced to change to accommodate students’ learning styles. Likely, collaborative, to-the-point, easily-accessible information systems will win out over research journals and books, despite their higher level of accuracy. Students will be flooded with information from various technologies. It’s up to the educational system to recognize that students are turning to technologies for education, and to teach students how to evaluate the information they find through technology. And the emergence of these technologies will provide more opportunity for investors in education sector to plan out for big. 

Hopefully, educational institutions will successfully wed academia and technology, allowing students to learn in new and innovative ways. Technology has great potential to help people learn, and businesses should capitalize on the advantages of technology to create technologically advanced, appealing, educational systems.