Changing Horizons in Geography Education - HERODOT Network ...

Computer literacy can be considered as one of the standards of education in themodern society. It enables us to cope with increasing amounts of information aswell as to solve even very difficult task with the help of computers. The use of ICTat school is very multiple, computer based learning is increasingly being put intopractice. Slavik and Novak (1997) give the following alternatives:• multimedia programmes• simulation programmes, modelling• testing programmes• learning programmes• information resources• videoconferences• distant forms of learning• virtual realityAs stated in Hassell (2000), the learning process can be improved in a number ofways when using ICT:• ICT can provide a safe and non-threatening environment for learning with theflexibility to meet individual needs and abilities of each student;• ICT gives students immediate access to richer source materials;• difficult ideas are made more understandable when information technology makesthem visible;• ICT can affect the power to try out different ideas and take risks, encouraginganalytical and divergent thinking.According to Manak and Svec (2003) a computer is used mostly to present learningprogrammes when a student works on his own or under a teacher’s supervision. Thissituation is also known from other learning models (Figure 1). Teachers help a studentgradually to attain student’s full independence. This is, for that matter, a final aimof the entire education – like thetraining of new drivers. This is acomputer that individualizes andaccelerates the process of student’sgrowing independence and adoptsit to the current condition of everysingle student. On top of that, it isnecessary to learn to recognizerelevant information, to select thedata that are both functional andeasy to manage.Figure 1. Computer-based learningA teacher has a variety ofsoftware products at his/her disposal, e.g. programmes for practising, simulationprogrammes and games, electronic textbooks, encyclopaedia, atlases, various expertsystems and learning programmes on the basis of artificial intelligence, geographicalinformation systems, etc. The model of a traditional way of learning has been changingwith the coming of modern educational technologies. According to Manak (1999) thereappear new roles of a teacher, these are:40