16 Application of Technology in Non-Formal Setting

DR. Pratima Pradhan

epgp books

 

Module Structure

 

15.1 Introduction

 

15.2 Understanding Non-Formal Education

 

15.3 Characteristics of Non-Formal Education

 

15.4 Application of Technology in Non-Formal Educational Setting

 

15.5 Merits and Demerits of Application of Technology in Non-Formal Education

 

15.6 Caution in applying Technology in Non-Formal Setting

 

15.7 Let us sum up

 

 

15.1 Introduction

 

As you all know that we have been passing through rapid transformations due to enormous development in the field of science and technology. We are now increasingly part of a globalized world of advanced technology. Amongst all the technologies, it is Information and Communication Technology (ICT) that is affecting all aspects of our lives- social, economic, cultural and political, the most. The rapid expansion and growth of ICTs have now transcended the boundaries of all types of education- Formal, Non-formal and Informal.

 

Application of Technology in Non-Formal settings ultimately refers to the use of ICT in Non-Formal Education set-up. ICT refers to a combination of computing, tele-communication, broadcasting and networking technologies that includes the use of computer, telephone, radio, television, internet, wireless etc. to communicate, create, disseminate, store and manage information. The purpose of ICT in a broader sense is not so different from the purpose of education that is to create, recreate, interpret, disseminate, communicate and appreciate knowledge for human and social development which are nothing but the essence of any form of education-Formal, Non-formal and Informal.

 

In this module we will discuss in detail how ICT can be applied in Non-Formal education setting and what are the merits and limitations of ICT in Non-Formal education. Before we discuss the various applications of ICT in Non-Formal setting and other associated issues, it is essential to understand the concept of Non-Formal Education.

 

 

15.2 Understanding Non-Formal Education

 

Non Formal Education (NFE) is an opportunity to those who are deprived of receiving education in a traditional formal setting due to some socio-economic reasons. It specially caters to the needs of adult people who are illiterate, school drop outs, employed youth, slum dwellers, etc., who could not attend regular classrooms or continue with their education. With access and reach it fills up the gaps in the Formal Education System. In the beginning non-formal education was restricted to ‘correspondence courses’ and ‘distance learning programs’, however with the emergence of Information & Communication Technologies (ICTs) its range and scope has been expanded spectacularly by enhancing its outreach and expanding its accessibility. From satellites, World Wide Web (www), computers to multimedia CDs and videos to audio only mediums, at the moment, all forms of ICTs are being used for imparting learning and training in the field of non formal education.

 

Non formal education is any organized educational activity that occurs beyond the traditional formal system of learning- whether operating separately or as an important feature of some broader activities – that serve identifiable learning clienteles and learning objectives. Elaborating the scope of such education, Tight opines, “Non formal education is about acknowledging the importance of education, learning and training, which takes place outside recognized educational institutions.”

 

Merriam and others (2007) also state: “The term non-formal has been used most often to describe organized learning outside of the formal education system. These offerings tend to be short-term, voluntary, and have few, if any prerequisites. However they typically have a curriculum and often a facilitator.”

 

In a broader sense, non formal education is more similar to the concept of ‘continuing and lifelong learning’, as it is not bound by any “hierarchically structured and chronologically graded education system” and is more oriented towards enhancing the life skills of the learners in an informal way. Such learning may or may not involve face to face interaction with teachers. More often, non formal educational programs are implemented with the help of specially trained instructors or teachers; and sometimes with the proactive involvement of community members as the main facilitators.

 

NFE is clearly defined against Formal Education. However the terms formal education and informal education are sometimes used interchangeably but this is not accurate. You can understand the concept of non-formal education when it is distinguished by the definitions of other two forms viz. formal and informal education.

 

15.3 Characteristics of Non-Formal Education Rogers (1996) offers following characteristics of NFE:

 

i) Target group: NFE is meant for mainly for the adults who could not receive education in a formal setting of education or who want to continue with their study for their further professional development. NFE caters to the needs of people from different socio-economic and religious back grounds who are deprived of receiving education through a formal setting. Thus, there may not be a uniform content for the learners of such a diverse group. It is meant for those who are actually interested in receiving education at a distance mode in the absence of a teacher on regular basis. It is entirely voluntary by nature. The curriculum is not imposed on the learners but it is quite flexible with varied of options.

 

ii) Time scale: As the target group is here mostly adult learners, so it must offer part time course to the learners. Learning for the adult learners is mostly a secondary activity as the participant is engaged in earning for a livelihood or engaged with some other responsibilities.

 

iii) Relevance: The content of NFE must be need based and relevant to the age group concerned. Adult learners receive education remaining within the community. Thus the education provided needs to be relevant in all kind of settings.

 

iv) Curriculum: Non Formal Education must offer education to meet learner defined needs. The curriculum must be open rather than restricted. NFE is problem-centred and controlled by learners. Thus, it must be designed such so that learners can solve their problems without depending upon the external help.

 

v) Methods: Learner is the centre of education in the non formal setting. Thus, the method of teaching shifts the focus of instruction from the teacher to the student. The learner chooses to how he will learn and access his own learning.

 

vi) Objectives: Non Formal Education aims to develop learner autonomy and independence by putting the responsibility for the learning path in the hands of the students. In this non formal setting the learning objectives are set by student themselves.

 

vii) Orientation: The need of the adult learner is mostly to acquire knowledge and skill for the present situation to fit into a new world of work or to sharpen the skills required for the existing occupation. Depending on various contexts of learners, it may cover educational programmes to impart adult literacy, basic education for out-of-school children, life skills, work skills, and general culture.

 

15.4 Application of Technology in Non-Formal Educational Setting

 

Traditional audio and video technologies such as radio and television are being used in supporting and imparting education since a long time in formal setting of education for example schools and colleges. It is widely recognized now that they are able to facilitate in fostering equity in terms of access to education in non formal setting also through enhancing the reach of education to one and all by eliminating the obstacles of time, space and distance.

 

The underlying principles for the use of technology are attached mostly to meet the needs of adult community. The knowledge of technology based education should guide all facilitators as they play their roles in sensitizing the importance of technology in education in a non-formal setting. This should further help to understand learners’ problems and thus ensure the selection of proper technology for the intended purpose.

 

The following multimedia approaches for learners in a non formal setting are available to increase access to its learners.

 

•  Supply of the printed course material that is prepared in a self instructional format.

 

•  Provision of facilities for contact-cum counseling sessions at the study centers.

 

•  Organizing residential sessions/week end sessions for intensive coaching.

 

•  Broadcasting of lessons through radio and television.

 

•  Production of audio tapes and availing them to students.

 

•  Provision of continuous evaluations through assignments.

 

Audio Conferencing: It can be thought of as an extended telephone conversation, but instead of talking with only one person, you may be talking with several or more participants located at multiple sites. It is a convenient means of bringing learners from different locations together to participate in effective discussions. Audio conferencing is an effective communication tool for sharing information, ideas and experiences. It is also not very expensive to design and implement.

 

Video Conferencing: It is a means by which small groups of physically distant learners and instructors or educators can hold discussions in real time, during which they are able to interact with each other. Depending upon the use video-conferencing may be used in two ways: One- way video conferencing and Two-way video conferencing.

 

  • One-way video conferencing: through this one-way video conferencing, the audio-video information can be a one – way information or a one-way stream from the institution end to its learning centre. The learning centre may communicate with the institution end in turn, with a telephone or other audio based hookup. The can be used for the discussion and clarification of any details.
  • Two-way video conferencing: It is a teleconference where, as implied by the name, video or visual data is exchanged. In this form of conference the learners can see and hear the instructor or educator and other fellow learners located at different learning centers. The student or the learner can learn in an interactive environment and share or exchange ideas. This two-way video conferencing can accommodate a range of information, including graphics and possibly scanned documents.

 

Computer Conferencing: It enables a group of learners with experts to hold discussions by reading and posting text messages on a computer system. The merits over mailing lists are that the messages are archived and the structure of the discussion is also recorded. Computer conferencing is widely used to support adult learning and within the educational context. Computer conferencing refers to computer- based meeting for exchange of pictures, words, graphics etc., between multiple sites. Special hardware and software systems are used to support computer conferencing activities in both real time and non-real time.

 

Computer Assisted Learning (CAL): The term Computer Assisted Learning (CAL) covers a range of computer based packages. These packages are planned to provide interactive instruction usually in a specific subject area and many predate the Internet. These can range from sophisticated and expensive packages to applications developed by projects in other educational institutions or national initiatives to simple solutions developed by individuals with no funding or support, to tackle a very local problem.

 

Computer Aided Assessment (CAA): This is meant to provide a means or method for students to assess their own progress and understanding of the material. With no human feedback or very sophisticated artificial intelligence, this usually means some form of objective test delivered as an online quiz. Because it is objective and the possible responses are known, the feedback can also be automated or programmed. Students can therefore receive immediate feedback. This use of CAA for self-diagnosis / formative assessment can be quick to set up and if used wisely can provide valuable feedback on the effectiveness of the course to the course tutor.

 

Digital Learning Resources (DLR): This could range from simply placing Word documents on the Web for the adult learners to download and to take print or to make PowerPoint presentations available after a lecture to creating Web pages that make better use of the media to streamed digital video and simple interactive CAL-like programs.

 

Internet Relay Chat (IRC): – It is an Internet system which allows users to chat ‘live’ (in real time) using text or audio Internet telephony, a way of using the Internet as an alternative to the main telephone network. It has the potential to reduce the cost of calling long-distance to that of a local call.

 

Hybrid systems –Through these systems such as Web Board, we can combine threaded discussion lists, IRC and email lists, allowing users to switch easily between the two depending on the nature of the discussion. For example, Yahoo Groups which is a free online service allowing the user to set up a Web based email discussion list with optional forwarding to and replies from his normal email account. It also offers a facility to share documents and images. The same facility is also available through Google group and Gmail.

 

VSATs: It stands for Very Small Aperture Terminals and is a compact satellite dish mated with the necessary electronic hardware to create an earth station. The earth station consists of a small antenna and other devices to interface between the antenna and the end user equipment. The end-user equipment could be one or more personal computers, telephones, a PBX, a video player, or any combination of these. A VSAT can link a few or more sites, including geographically remote locations.

 

Communication Satellite: Since the launching of INSAT (Indian National Satellite) in 1982, it is being used for education and development. Institutions such as NCERT, UGC and IGNOU produce educational TV programmes for broadcast in national channel through INSAT.

 

Mobile(M)–learning : It involves the use of mobile technology either alone or in combination with other ICT tools to enable the learner to learn at anytime and anywhere. With the development of 3G and 4G networks, use of mobile phones in education could provide a way forward. M-texts, downloadable lessons would enable any user with a cell phone to access the educational lessons. Learning can open up in a variety of ways. Learners can use mobile devices to access educational resources, connect with others, or create content. It has begun to change the way we learn.

 

Games-based platforms: With the noteworthy dispersion of 3G and 4G networks and increased adoption of mobile phones and smartphones with touch screen and other modern features, this methodology is expected to gain momentum in the near future. Educational games can make a profound impact on the learning needs of underserved communities.

 

15. 5 Merits and Demerits of Application of Technology in Non-Formal Education

 

Application of technology has already revolutionised the system of education in all the three setting – formal, informal and non formal and it will continue to revolutionize in future also.

Now there is a growing trend of using technology in any form by both teachers and learners. Though the use of technology has become inevitable at the same time we must make ourselves aware about the merits and demerits of the use of technology in education. A meta-analysis of various researches and the scholarly literature has identified the following merits of technology in education.

 

Merits:

  • Multimedia presentations can make the material more meaningful and engaging for the learners.
  • The Internet itself has opened a world of opportunity for the non formal learners. Information and ideas that were previously out of reach are a click away. The learners with any sort of needs can connect, share, and learn on a global scale.
  • Technology, especially the computer and Internet based technology is quite competent in providing learning experiences in the form of drill and practice. It helps in identifying and solves problems for accessing information and knowledge about various related topics.
  • Learners can access anything at anytime and anywhere. They can learn at their own pace as per the educational need and context.
  • Non Formal Education programs using the latest ICTs are beginning to provide workers with the opportunity to pursue lifelong learning.
  • Technology makes the task of the non formal learners easy so far as their access to various educational materials is concerned. Instructors can post their course material or important information on a course website and the learners can study at a time and location they prefer and can obtain the study material very quickly.
  • Technology helps in providing truly individualized learning experience in which students learn as individuals and not as a homogenous group. Individualized learning experience can make the students relate to the content, go forward and backward in the content, start at any point depending upon prior knowledge instead of always in a pre-determined fixed sequence or as per the group instruction.
  • It ensures high speed delivery of content with wide reach.
  • It provides alternative modes of education (e.g. distance education, on-line education, virtual education etc.) by making education more accessible beyond the traditional time and space paradigm.
  • Education is no longer limited to the privileged few. Even those who are downtrodden and poor can learn all the ideas and concepts which were like a dream to them in earlier times and it is all possible because of advanced use of technology. It democratizes education.
  • It allows non formal learners to continue to earn a living while attending classes during their spare time.

 

Demerits

 

  • Initial expenditure of installing technological hardware and software (e.g. to install computers, video equipment, projectors etc.) systems is high and may not be affordable by some institutions and the non formal learners.
  • Heavy expenditure is also involved in maintaining and up keeping of the equipment. Without proper maintenance and upgrading the costly technological equipment lose their applicability as the technologies are in a constant flux.
  • Many non formal learners may not have the access to educational technological tools like computer, internet, ETV etc. at home.
  • Everyone does not equally benefit from the use of technology in education. In country like India not only many students but a large number of educational institutions remained deprived of technology owing to financial issues.
  • The multimedia packages are mainly available in English language. As language is an important issue in the teaching-learning process in India, Multimedia content suitable for local learners in terms of prescribed curricula and preferred language is so far not sufficiently available.
  • Technological failure or break down either due to poor maintenance of hardware or updating of software usually disrupts the instructional process and leaves the learners in a confused state.

 

15.6 Cautions in Applying Technology in Non-Formal Setting

 

In any system of education, technology can be used meaningfully for the benefit of learners and the educators. However at the same time it can be misused and become harmful. We must try to make the most of technology in education and to check the misuse and the abuse of it by taking certain safety measures.

 

Set up Guiding Principles: Learners must know what is expected from them. They must be given explanation, in advance about how any technology works. They must understand the goals for using a particular technology in education. If the purpose is to incorporate Web discussions or online chats for example, it should be ensured that students know what kinds of responses are expected from them and how their responses will be evaluated.

 

Encourage Learner Interaction: In order to ensure that the students are engaged with the material, they may be involved in discussing video presentations in groups or by searching for and summarizing their own Web research. Otherwise it may lead to passive learning, as when students watch a video or read Web content with no follow-up.

 

Facilitate Access: Copies of video, audio or other materials used in the learning process of non formal learners should be kept reserved in the library of the local study centre to be reviewed by them. Learners must be provided with complete reference for finding the basic course material and supplementary web resources so that they can easily access those without wasting time unnecessarily for searching for the same.

 

Vary Technology: Adult learners join a certain course after a gap. Thus it might be difficult in their part to stay connected or focused while learning by themselves without the help of teachers. Maintaining of their motivation to complete the learning task is very important. By adopting different technology, students may be helped to stay focused and active in their learning task without getting bored. Media presentations can also enhance lessons by capturing students’ attention and providing visual or auditory examples of subjects. Provision of viewer guides will help the non formal learners take benefits of the technologies used in their course.

 

Ensure equal Opportunity for All: Make sure that media-based experiences can be enjoyed by all the students, including the differently abled learners. All students must get equal chance to actively participate in technology laced or technology mediated lesson without any fear or favour on any grounds.

 

Select Appropriate Technology: Evidence suggests that educational technologies can improve student achievement, so long as such tools are integrated thoughtfully into teaching and learning. When digital capabilities like online environments are incorporated meaningfully into instruction, learners have new opportunities to learn and achieve. Matching learning outcomes to appropriate technologies is an important step for effectively integrating technology into classroom teaching and learning. Technology will benefit the learning if it enhances the presentation of a concept, motivates the learner, and provides an authentic learning experience.

 

Set Ethical Principles: For meaningful and honest use of the content that is available in the media or internet, students should be provided with clear cut guidelines based on ethical use of others’ intellectual property, be it write-ups, photographs, video or audio clips, charts, diagrams, presentations, books, articles, etc. Students should be encouraged to refer but at the same time be cautioned not to plagiarize the work of others or even to use the work of others, in their own project without due acknowledgement or without permission.

 

 

15.7 Let’s Sum-up

 

The rapid expansion and growth of ICTs have now transcended the boundaries of all type of education- Formal, Non-formal and Informal. Application of Technology in Non-Formal settings ultimately refers to the use of ICT in Non-Formal Education set-up. ICT refers to a combination of computing, tele-communication, broadcasting and networking technologies that includes the use of computer, telephone, radio, television, internet, wireless etc. to communicate, create, disseminate, store and manage information. The purpose of ICT in a broader sense is not so different from the purpose of education i.e. to create, recreate, interpret, disseminate, communicate and appreciate knowledge for human and social development. These are nothing but the essence of any form of education-Formal, Non-formal and Informal.

 

In this module we have discussed the meaning of Non Formal Education and the application of technology viz., instructional technology, information and communication technology, communication technology and educational technology in the educational set up. We have discussed how technology can be effectively used to improve the accession of learning material resulting in learning, motivate students, stimulate active participation of learners, give enriched learning experiences to the students and objective assessment of students’ progress and so on and so forth. The application of technology in non formal setting is also noticeable from the fact that educational services are delivered efficiently and effectively, to the learners today. With emerging technologies such as computers, tablets, net books, interactive whiteboards and wireless solutions gaining ground in the education system, the reliance on technology by the education is touching new heights. The application of technology in education has its own sets of benefits and limitations. Therefore while thinking about integrating technology in education it is required to:

  • check the prearrangements necessary for the use of particular technology;
  • select relevant technologies that are suitable for the goals and outcomes of the course;
  • choose a range of technologies that are motivating and intellectually challenging for the learners;
  • assess the pros and cons of the particular technology to be used;
  • ensure equal access to students without discrimination;
  • formulate a user guide for the use of technology ethically.

 

Thus, we have seen how technology can be a great addition to the system of non formal education. Technology is playing a significant role by improving student learning and helping them reach their goals. The range of technologies is vast with tremendous potential and it is increasing every day. Ultimately it will be up to us to evaluate the potential effectiveness of a particular technology for our course and our students.

 

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References

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