Introduction
There are a number of ways that may be put in place in incorporating technology in the classroom. These include academic and administrative software. These Software are student centered and help in enhancing their academics, building and sustaining relationships as well as enhancing visibility of operations of the university in order to achieve regulatory compliance, as well as reporting (Lever-Duffy and McDonald, 2011). This enhances the campus ecosystem which comprises of the student information system and mainly deals with the integration of departments as well as regulation of the flow of work within the respective departments.
This ensures that each and every member of staff within the given departments carries out his/her respective tasks accordingly and in due time. Modal-based e-learning is also a component of the ecosystem which enhances online and blended academic delivery. This provides chances for learners to study through the internet and saves them the struggle of travelling long distances to school. This also enables students to interact with students from different regions and countries, which helps in broadening their scope of learning and knowledge.
Academic software
Academic software deals with the improvement of classroom technology to enhance quality performance. An example of academic software is the learning management system (LMS). This software helps in providing the necessary tools for managing the classrooms effectively, scheduling and learning in general (National Research Council, 1998). The software can also be used to manage on-line learning.
Benefits of incorporating academic software
The academic software has a number of benefits which include reducing the costs of training. This is because the schools or organizations do not have to hire a lot of staff members to teach students in the classroom, because e-learning does not require a lot of staff members. The funds used to pay teachers can then be channeled in other activities. It also helps in increasing the competency of the employees. This is because employees are able to interact with other employees from different parts of the world and lean through on-line programs. Tests and assessments may also be conducted on-line which saves the organization the expense of purchasing examination equipment.
Limitations of academic software
The academic software has got a number of disadvantages though which include expense. Incorporation of technology in school requires a lot of funds due to installation and Maintenance. Training of staff is also a substantial problem. This is mainly due to lack of adequate resources to incorporate technology (Khosrowpour, 2006). Planning for the use of technology is difficult for some members of staff. This is due to tight schedules and commitment required in their places of work. There are also a number of risks associated with the academic software, which include exposure to pornographic materials and harmful drugs, which may be harmful to the health and performance of students.
Benefits of administrative software
On the other hand, administrative software helps in enhancing teaching by providing staff with an appropriate method of assessment. Teachers and other staff members are also able to interact with other staff from different parts of the world. This enhances employee competence which ensures that the organization produces the best products and provides the best services. This to a significant extent improves the performance of students. The employee’s load also gets reduced as students can conduct studies on- line without the help of the teachers.
Limitations of administrative software
This software bears a number of disadvantages which include lack of time and facilities required to train the staff members (Khosrowpour, 2000). This makes use of this software difficult and almost impossible. Some of the employees may not have access to the resources, and this makes it difficult to use and incorporate technology in the classroom.
Conclusion
Incorporating technology in the classroom is of immense importance. This is because it gives both teachers and students the chance to interact with different people. It may also makes learning easy and appealing. This is because it reduces to a considerable extent extra costs such as transport required to travel to school or other fields of education.
References
Khosrowpour, M. (2000). Organizational Achievement and Failure in Information Technology Management. United States of America: Idea Group Publishing.
Khosrowpour, M. (2006). Cases on the Human Side of Information Technology. United States of America: Idea Group Publishing.
Lever-Duffy, J. & McDonald, J. B. (2011). Teaching and learning with technology (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc./Allyn & Bacon.
National Research Council. (1998). Developing a Digital National Library for Undergraduate Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology Education. United States of America: National Academic Press.