Technology in education - A study into the effects of information technology in education

With the continued advances in information technology and associated communication comes the interconnectivity of all businesses and all industries. Either by default or association, the traditional education system will also be affected. The information age has encouraged the ubiquity of a seemingly endless supply of information that is there just waiting to be absorbed by students that have the ability and the inclination to interrogate the vast range of information systems available. There is an inherent problem with this in the management of the information, but that is outside the domain of this paper. Many research articles suggest that all facets of education will change, virtual education, on-line teaching, global universities, demise of traditional teaching methods are just some of the terms used to describe this euphoria. New models of teaching and learning are emerging, driven by accessible new media. The role of the Teacher and Trainer is becoming one of a facilitator of learning discovery. This paper will consider if the ever-increasing presence of technology and information will help or hinder the education process in the 21st Century. In addition it will explore the possible impact on the predominant components of the system, which create the pedagogic environment we know today the students and the lecturers.