Students have used the internet as a medium for knowledge. For some learners, it could be the primary source of information for their education. In reality, the internet has a significant impact on the lives of students.
Internet And Education
The internet is a continuously changing technology that is rapidly introducing different innovations to make usage more comfortable for users. It has the potential to increase educational quality in a variety of ways. By providing contact to various content, expertise, and exploration, the internet expands learning opportunities both within and outside the classroom.
Internet usage has a significant impact on schooling, especially on the academic performance of students. Among the positives are the following:
- Students Can Learn Beyond The Classroom
Though there’s no question that Wi-Fi for education is crucial, the opportunities for learners extends further than the four walls of a classroom. From extracurricular experiences to self-exploration, devices with internet connection like tablets and smartphones could link students to a plethora of educational material that’s not available in books.
- New Ways To Learn
Students may express their interest in a variety of ways thanks to the internet. They could explore without fear of failure, and their access to the internet provides them a degree of anonymity. In addition, this method enables children to experiment to determine if a new approach enables them to learn more efficiently.
- Internet Encourages Collaboration
The internet could present students with a platform for discussion of their learning that isn’t often available in the classroom. While such conversations may occur in a conventional classroom setting, many learners are sometimes reluctant to articulate themselves with the class because of fear.
By the use of online resources that allow learners to collaborate in secure ways, the internet enables them to easily improve their interaction skills. They may find the privacy of the internet to be a more welcoming and less intimidating environment than a classroom. The platform may pique students’ interest and help them become better learners.
- Ease Of Access To Information
Through the internet, students have access to rich information online, and these resources allow them to grasp important ideas on almost any topic. Rather than taking all their time looking for data in the library, they can simply conduct a few internet searches and discover what they’re looking for. This is how the internet changes the world.
The internet’s availability allows learners to gain a deeper understanding of their subject. The knowledge is readily available anytime they require it as long as they have a device connected to the internet.
- Internet Makes Learning More Engaging
When an instructor delivers a lesson from a book, students remember very little of the details. However, when immersive exercises are shown on a board, learners retain about 20% of what they’ve been told.
Learners grow bored quickly because they assume they’ve already grasped the information being presented in their classes. In this case, few learners may turn into coaches or guides to assist their fellow pupils, and others might withdraw due to a lack of motivation.
Through the introduction of internet to education, there are fewer areas where repeated learning is needed. Teachers may add new topics, experiment with new approaches, or involve students in a variety of projects to promote continued learning and increase overall interest.
Downside Of Internet Usage
While there are a lot of advantages of using the internet to improve student’s academic performance, there are still some disadvantages to it, including the following:
- May Promote Laziness And Cheating
Even if the internet is intended for educational purposes, it could be abused to encourage laziness. Unlike in a textbook, where materials can only be read, the internet permits the copying and pasting of text.
Any student may take ownership of anything they copied, believing that their instructors would never figure it out. They may not realize that what they’re doing is plagiarism and it’s illegal. Other than that, such activity affects a person’s ability to understand the subject completely.
- Could Be A Distraction
The internet may be a huge source of diversion for students. There’s a plethora of multimedia choices on the internet that can easily divert a student’s attention away from their education. Their primary emphasis will on the recreation they get instead of learning.
For instance, social media sites can easily divert learner’s attention away from their academic performance, robbing them of essential study time. When students play internet games, they may also exhibit unhealthy habits. It may also cause addiction and health problems.
Bottom Line
Internet usage for educational purposes expands possibilities, presents creative perspectives, and fosters self-discovery. However, students must understand that there are both positives and drawbacks of depending excessively on the internet for their academic pursuits.
