Use of Technology in Learning SMET’s Subjects

This proposal aims at pinpointing the advantages and showing just how important they are to the educational sector of the society and answering the questions of “ how effective is technology in institutions of higher learning?” and whether it learners and various institutions are ready to embrace technology during studies.

Running header: Proposal On Use Of Technology In Learning SME’s Subjects
USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN LEARNING
Student Name
Professor’s Name
Affiliation
Date

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Proposal On Use Of Technology In Learning SMET’s Subjects
INTRODUCTION
In our current world computers and technology have been the most dominant tools to achieve
various goals of mankind. Ranging from medicine to engineering and even complex
mathematics, technology has proven to be an indispensable tool to visualizing and achieving
these goals. However, there has been a major division when it comes to using these technologies
in academic institutions for teaching purposes [3]. This proposal aims at pinpointing the
advantages and showing just how important they are to the educational sector of the society and
answering the questions of “ how effective is technology in institutions of higher learning?” and
whether it learners and various institutions are ready to embrace technology during studies. The
proposal also addresses the technological devices such as tablets virtual reality and simulations
used in teaching [1].
Literature review
The use of technology in higher institutions of learning has been a cause of great discussion and
debate as to whether it is necessary to implement their use especially during teaching of the
various subjects. In an article written by Matthew Lynch on March 4 2017, he adequately
explains the various ways in which technology is impacting modern learning methods. On his
article he explains that through use of technology, there is active engagement between the
students and the learning materials since in his opinion technology is interactive[2]. However,
according to Chen-Chieh Lai’s article on Advantages and Disadvantages of Computer
Technology in Second Language Acquisition, he pinpoints that by use of technology in teaching,
educational costs are increased thus harming the equality and quality of education. He explains
that most low income students and school are unable to acquire computers as the basic learning
technological tools such as tablets and simulation programs to be able to utilize the various
available technologies hence may result to more resources being spent on training and teaching
[4].
It is evident that some engineering courses such as architecture, computer engineering, and also
mathematicians require the integrated use of technology to give accurate results and prevent
miscalculations which may lead to problems if applied to the real world. According to an article
by Bryant Nielson on Benefits Of Using Simulations Published on 4/6/2017, the use of

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Proposal On Use Of Technology In Learning SMET’s Subjects
simulations especially in the aviation sector is important in that it provides consistent results,
immediate feedback and also constant results [4]. Based on a survey by Pearson Foundation, it
was found that use of tablets makes it fun for about 78% of students at the college or university
level compared to use of books and other writing materials due to the voluminous amount of
research and analysis required to be done over a short period of time [3].
Methodology
The most effective and quick method to analyze this data is by use of questionnaires. The target
populations in my case are students in institutions of higher learning and studying courses related
to sciences, engineering and mathematics. The questionnaire contains survey questions that
would come in handy when addressing the above questions. The data given will be used to
analyze whether the use of technology is relevant in studies and whether it is more advantageous
compared to the current methods used to teach the above named subject. Below is a
questionnaire which will be used to conduct the survey [6].
Survey On The Benefits Of Technology In The Study Of Engineering, Sciences And
Mathematics
SECTION A.
1. What are your current technological skills?
a) Learner
b) Basic
c) Proficient
2. When first did you use technology in your studies?
a) High school
b) College
c) Campus
3. What is you current level of studies
a) Undergraduate
b) Graduate
c) Post graduate
4. How often do you use technology in you studies?

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Proposal On Use Of Technology In Learning SMET’s Subjects
a) Regularly(once per week)
b) Frequently(once per month)
c) Seldom(once per year)
5. Rate the following as agree, strongly agree, disagree or strongly disagree
a) I can easily access technology while in campus…………………..
b) I feel confident in my ability to handle various technological aspects……………..
c) I am easily able to integrate technology during research or studies……………….
6. Is use of technology useful to your studies?
a) Yes a lot
b) Just a little bit
c) Am not sure
7. Are you likely to use multiple technological aspects when studying?
a) Yes am able
b) No am not able
8. How often do you use technology for learning purposes?
a) Very often
b) Often
c) I am not sure
9. Are you capable of presenting ideas and thoughts using technology?
a) Yes I am very capable
b) No, am not able
c) Not sure
10. How often do you experience problems when using technology?
a) Often
b) Seldom
c) Never
11. Is it necessary to use technology in your course?
a) Yes
b) No
12. In general is the school community involved in the use of technology?
a) Very involved

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Proposal On Use Of Technology In Learning SMET’s Subjects
b) Pretty involved
c) Not very involved
13. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the highest how conversant are you with the
technology used in tablets?............................................................................
14. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the highest how crucial is tablet use to your current
mode of study?..........................................................................
15. How many hours do you spend while using technology during studies?
a) All day
b) 12 hours
c) 6 hours
16. How would you rate you parents reaction to the use of technology during studies
a) Supportive
b) Unsupportive
c) Other specify…………………………………………….
SECTION B
1. between books and the tablet which one would you prefer to use when studying?
a) Books
b) Tablet
c) Not sure what to use
2. Based on the answers given above why would you use a book?
a) It is more detailed than electronic sources
b) I have no access to a tablet at the moment
c) Books are easy to understand while studying
3. Based on the answer given in question 2 why would you use a tablet
a) A tablet has more sources compared to a book
b) Tablets look stylish to use during studies
c) I just love the tablet
4. Is the use of a tablet a common occurrence in class during studies?
a) Yes most students use tablets to study
b) No most students do not own tablets

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Proposal On Use Of Technology In Learning SMET’s Subjects
c) Other. If other explain……………………….
5. Do most of the lectures use tablets when teaching?
a) Yes they do often
b) They never use tablets
c) Other.
if other explain…………………..
6. Would you accept to use tablets in class while studying?
a) Yes I would, I have more sources to refer to
b) Maybe. It looks fun
c) No. I don’t know how to use a tablet
7. If you were to use a tablet during studies, how would it impact you?
a) Positively. It has a lot of educational sources to refer to.
b) Negatively. I would spend most of my time on social media.
c) Not sure how it would impact me.
8. Is the institution you are currently in ,support use of tablets during lectures?
a) Very supportive
b) No. it is highly prohibited.
c) I don’t know.
9. On a scale of one to ten how would use of technology via tablets affect the current
performance of the entire institution?.............................
10. On a scale of one to ten how would the campus react if tablets were made mandatory to
use during studies?...............................................
11. do you feel like the entire institution is ready to handle tablet use during studies?
a) Yes we are all ready
b) Maybe. We are at least prepared
c) No we are not ready
12. How would you rate your school’s current expenditure on technology?
a) Maximum expense
b) Minimum expense
c) Low expense

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Proposal On Use Of Technology In Learning SMET’s Subjects
13. ? What is your school response on use of technology?
a) Supportive
b) Unsupportive
c) Other……………………………………………
SECTION C
1. Which of these virtual reality devices have you heard of?
a) Google cardboard
b) Microsoft hololens
c) Samsung gear VR
d) None of the above
2. How did you know the above devices exist?
a) Adverts from TVs
b) Magazines
c) Internet
d) Other specify…………..
3. Based on your experience on virtual reality what is your opinion about these devices?
a) Positive
b) Negative
c) Other (please describe)……………………………………………………
4. How often do you use any of the above named devices during studies?
a) Very often
b) Often
c) Seldom
5. How familiar is the concept of virtual reality to you?
a) very familiar
b) slightly familiar
c) I have no idea
6. How often Does your school use virtual reality tools during teaching?
a) Often
b) Seldom

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Proposal On Use Of Technology In Learning SMET’s Subjects
c) Other( please specify)……………………………..
7. Would you like to integrate virtual reality to your studies?
a) Yes very eager
b) No I don’t like it
8. In your opinion what are the advantages of using VR in your studies?(choose the best
two)
a) It is more engaging compared to current teaching methods
b) Enables easy understanding of hard concepts
c) Enhances student creativity
9. Is your school infrastructure able to handle use of virtual reality in teaching of SME’s?
a) Very sure it can support
b) Somewhat it can support
c) Not sure it can support
10. On a scale of 1-10 are your fellow students able to use virtual reality
tools?.....................................................................................................................
11. On a scale of 1-10 how able are your teachers with use VR during
teaching?.............................................................................................................
12. In your own opinion what impact would virtual reality if used in teaching help you in
your current studies?....................................................................................................
13. Do you think virtual reality and simulation tools would help during studies?
a) Yes it would help a lot
b) Maybe it would help
c) No it won’t help
CONTINGENCY PLAN AND ITS OBJECTIVE
The main contingency plan that should be carried out is to ensure that the programs
purchased to aid in teaching do relate to the course being taught. The technology used
should be kept under strict scrutiny to ensure that it is related to the main topic being
taught in schools.

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Proposal On Use Of Technology In Learning SMET’s Subjects
Objectives of the plan:
a) Minimize fraud technology in teaching
b) Ensure that the technology used adheres to the curriculum
c) Ensure the technology used is relevant to the course being taught
d) Facilitate timely and quick delivery of content by use of technology
CONCLUSION
To conclude it is evident that use of virtual reality and other simulation programs during
teaching could be highly beneficial to both the student and the teachers. It is also true that if
technology is used to teach technical subjects such as engineering, mathematics and sciences
it would be easier to understand the hard concepts presented during studies. However more
investigation should be conducted to determine the validity of using technology in teaching
and if possible predict the general outcome of their use to the current curriculum. It is also
true that research and other relevant investigations should be done to ensure that the
technology used whether virtual reality, simulation or event use of technological tools such
as phones and tablets are relevant and applicable to the subject being studied thus becoming
less disadvantageous to the students [7].

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Proposal On Use Of Technology In Learning SMET’s Subjects
REFERNCES
[1] S. F. Reid, “The Importance of scientific method," Unpublished manuscript, BSC100: Building
Blocks for Science Students, Murdoch Univ., Murdoch, WA, Australia, 2016
[2] I. Holm, Narrator, and J. Fullerton-Smith, Producer, How to Build a Human curriculum .
London: BBC; 2012
[3] R. Aedy, Interviewer, D. Hector, Interviewee, and S. Clark, Producer, "The future of
learning," The Buzz, 25 Sept., 2014 [Radio broadcast]. Sydney: ABC Radio.
[4] D. Fisher, Writer, and T. Baker, Presenter, Doctor Who and the Creature From the Pit [Sound
recording]. Bath, UK: BBC Audiobooks, 2009.
[5] T. Jones and P. Williams, Reporters, BP releases report into Gulf of Mexico technology use in
learning. Lateline, 8 Sept., 2010 [Television broadcast]. Sydney: ABC1 Television.
[6] C. Rogers, Writer and Director, Grrls in IT [Videorecording]. Bendigo, Vic. : Video Education
Australasia, 2009.
[7] NRK. "Medieval helpdesk with English subtitles," YouTube, Feb. 26, 2017 [Video file].
Available: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQHX-SjgQvQ. [Accessed: Jan. 28, 2014].

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Proposal On Use Of Technology In Learning SMET’s Subjects
APPENDIX
Gant Chatt describing the main tasks of the project.