Computers and communications combine to give information Technology,by which the use of information becomes far more efficient.As we had mentioned earlier,this more efficient use of information can affect society and management.In fact,this will have an effect on all aspects of life.IT is one of the most pervasive technologies,and hence,has effects on practically everything we do.One may argue that in a third world country such as India."How can people living in rural areas possibly be affected by computers".But we can consider the following the points:
1.Computers predict weather and communicate it to rural areas,besides suggesting best crop cycles,fertilizers,and other numerous matters.
2.All rural planning is carried out on computers such as water supply,roads,buildings,agricultural pattern and so on.These works are carried out in cities but the effects are on rural areas.
3.Most transport facilities to rural areas are also computerised just like the railway reservations systems that we are familiar with.
4.All communications systems,which are essential for rural development,are heavily dependant on information technology like Radio,Television,Telephone and so on.Therefore it is essential that we are at least conscious of the pervasive effects of Information Technology.
Now,let us consider the effects of IT on something closer to our hearts such as education.Computers have made direct impact on our lives and in the field of education in the form of systems that are actually involved with the teaching process such as Computer Assisted Instruction(CAI),Computer Assisted Learning(CAL),Computer Based training(CBT),and Computer Managed Instruction(CMI).
Educationist,Allan Ellis once stated,"Using Computers in education is not learning about computers but is learning about education".So the very use of computers enforced some rethinking on education.
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