Applications of multimedia devices as teaching aids

The development of computer technology is reflected, among others, in the development of modern didactics. Current pedagogy and media education, as a fast developing discipline of general pedagogy, is a topic of a number of studies. Applying the modern multimedia aids at various stages and in various types of education is considered as an indispensable element of modern didactics, due to new opportunities the modern media offer. An interactive whiteboard is an example of such a modern teaching aid applied at present in education. 1 Information Technology in the school Computers have become ubiquitous. They are applied in business, as home entertainment devices and as a teaching/learning aid. This fact cannot be disregarded in the education of the youth. The ability to operate personal computers and related IT devices is an indispensible skill in modern information society. For the young generation to develop the skill, they are to be regularly and permanently exposed to the latest achievements in technology. That is why it is vital to popularize the idea of information technology in the school in various forms and at various levels of education, from kindergarten to university. It has to be noted that the education programmes and curricula, although developed by outstanding specialists, may become outdated before they actually reach the classroom. The publishing of textbooks may take even years so that teachers are often rightly concerned about the validity and currency of the textbook content. ∗[email protected] 168 Applications of multimedia devices as teaching aids Sometimes, in the pursuit of their individual interests, students get updated about the latest scientific and technological findings by surfing the Internet. On the one hand, it is a positive phenomenon, on the other hand it makes educators think how to keep teaching curricula updated. This, in turn, implies further questions: how to pass on the knowledge by means of modern and more attractive teaching aids? In the light of the financial situation of the school system in Poland, it is not easy to find an answer to either of the questions. Fortunately, due to the unbelievable pace of the IT development, what is currently the most modern and expensive, will soon become cheaper and more available when new solutions appear. The dynamic character of the changes provides an opportunity for schools, most of which are equipped with IT labs, multimedia software and access to the Internet. It has to be kept in mind that some five or ten years ago the situation was different and few schools could pride themselves on having a modern IT lab. As the time passes, the requirements that educational services have to meet evolve. Social changes following the economic ones created the demand for up-to date educated staff. Finding such employees may be a real challenge for an employer. Owing to that, it is essential to offer education in the fields in which specialists are sought. Besides, in the long-term perspective it turns out that the skills acquired at school are insufficient and education must therefore be continued in the form of lifelong learning. Both state and private educational institutions respond to this need, offering many courses financed by resources coming from EU projects. The development of the lifelong learning provides a unique opportunity to enhance, or to change qualifications. Modern Information Technology helps develop students’ abilities by boosting the following: • learning it enhances ways of gaining knowledge and skills, it facilitates problem-solving and decision-making, it integrates experiences and various elements of knowledge, • thinking it facilitates understanding phenomena in their full complexity and enables their holistic perception, it also boosts creativity, • searching abilities it helps to search, classify, and make use of information coming from various sources, • ability to act it improves the organization of work and facilitates the use of various techniques and tools, it develops a flexible attitude to one’s qualification and a constant need to improve them; • communication skills it provides means for individual and group presentations and for effective communication thereby promoting unlimited contact among humans, • co-operation it helps working in a local or global group and reaching agreement, it can be used for making and sustaining contact and developing relationships.