Computer-aided learning in poor countries
The present educational system that most countries adapt was primarily inherited from the European model in which children are grouped according to age, in classes that are homogenous from a cognitive development standpoint. This model was primarily thought to cater a teacher-student interaction in a classroom-based teaching environment. However, this type of learning environment seldom works in poor and developing countries. Lack of teachers, inadequate teacher trainings, overcrowding classrooms, insufficient educational facilities, are just among various reasons why it is hard to replicate such a system in the developing world. With computers serving as an important tool in teaching, I believe that computer-based education is an effective intervention to improve the educational standards in the developing world. And while such a system is effective in developed countries as well, I argue that this is comparable or even more successful in developing countries.
Computers provide a key ingredient that is often missing in a classroom type environment: individualized interactivity. Blackboards, slides, and televisions are most often perceived as presentation tools only. Computers, on the other hand, not only present information with the same possibilities provided by the tools previously mentioned but also receive information and can adapt to the students needs. This advantage alone complements and fills the gap between interaction and learning the educational material. In most poor countries, teacher-student ratio is often sacrificed in order to achieve a high enrollment turn out. Although enrollment tends to increase, students end up being packed in a small classroom thereby limiting what the students get in one day of class. I believe computers cater a window of possibilities thereby avoiding this problem of overcrowded classrooms and provide students a more active way of learning.
It is often the case that students in poor countries are isolated in the classroom. All of the learning takes place in a four-walled room with usually one teacher facilitating the instruction. Computers provide access to more information from around the world. This increases motivation of students and thereby increasing their analytical skills as well as output in their school work. Access to information also breaks down the stereotypes and provide exchange of information from isolated environments to the outside world. Increasing the student's motivation is one essential key to the success of such program in the developing world. Unlike the traditional method of teaching, most aspects of learning in a computer-based education are handled by the students. As a result, students feel a first-person role in their study as opposed to strictly having a single person facilitating the learning.
Education is one important aspect in improving the living and economic standards in developing countries. Many people, if not all, believe in this notion. However, as long as education standards aren't sufficiently improved, the demand for a well-educated populace will never be met. With the problems facing the education sector of the developing world, it is necessary to provide a more effective solution. Computers prove to cater the basic aspects of learning as well as motivate students to improve their skills. The improvement in student's learning demonstrates the effectiveness of a computer-based education in the developing world.
