Digital technology in higher education
Tuesday, 1 September 2009
Prof. Lutfor Rahman
IF technology affects all aspects of modern life, digital technology has become unavoidable for education, from kindergarten to doctoral studies. New technologies crop up to redefine study programmes and teaching practices. Bangladesh's new journey to digitise itself is getting momentum with national experts putting in their best.
The higher educational institutions in Bangladesh, particularly private universities are opening new digital technology departments. Such departments include, among others, Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) and Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering (ETE). Satellite Communications, Radio Communications, Data Communications, Optical Fiber Communications, LASER etc., are among the subjects taught. Nanotechnology automatically becomes part of the discussions.
Teaching modern technological subjects is always interesting and exciting, because the students always demand to know the innovative subjects. Students develop self-confidence day by day. Most of the time of a two-hour class is taken by answering questions about the topics, devices with applications, status of Bangladesh in relation to topics, future of Bangladesh, problems and solutions, and of course the opportunity exists for the students to use digital technology in national life.
The students discover, in no time, that their knowledge in physics and mathematics of higher secondary level is good enough to understand satellite communications, fiber optics and other digital technologies. Qualified teachers are what they need to answer their questions.
The students are thirsty to know modern technology. They are also keen to know about the availability of satellite communications in Bangladesh. Unlike many countries Bangladesh is yet to launch its own satellites.
The students could not earlier observe satellites revolving around the earth in fixed orbits. The Internet has made it possible for them. From the websites, they can learn about the satellites. Open discussions increase their confidence further.
The research-oriented course does particularly stresses learning outside the traditional educational environment. In this connection websites can provide interactive education.
Founder vice-chancellor of Science and Technology University in Rural Bangladesh, the writer teaches Satellite and Wireless Communications at Peoples University Bangladesh and could be contacted at e-mail: lutfor@agni.com
IF technology affects all aspects of modern life, digital technology has become unavoidable for education, from kindergarten to doctoral studies. New technologies crop up to redefine study programmes and teaching practices. Bangladesh's new journey to digitise itself is getting momentum with national experts putting in their best.
The higher educational institutions in Bangladesh, particularly private universities are opening new digital technology departments. Such departments include, among others, Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) and Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering (ETE). Satellite Communications, Radio Communications, Data Communications, Optical Fiber Communications, LASER etc., are among the subjects taught. Nanotechnology automatically becomes part of the discussions.
Teaching modern technological subjects is always interesting and exciting, because the students always demand to know the innovative subjects. Students develop self-confidence day by day. Most of the time of a two-hour class is taken by answering questions about the topics, devices with applications, status of Bangladesh in relation to topics, future of Bangladesh, problems and solutions, and of course the opportunity exists for the students to use digital technology in national life.
The students discover, in no time, that their knowledge in physics and mathematics of higher secondary level is good enough to understand satellite communications, fiber optics and other digital technologies. Qualified teachers are what they need to answer their questions.
The students are thirsty to know modern technology. They are also keen to know about the availability of satellite communications in Bangladesh. Unlike many countries Bangladesh is yet to launch its own satellites.
The students could not earlier observe satellites revolving around the earth in fixed orbits. The Internet has made it possible for them. From the websites, they can learn about the satellites. Open discussions increase their confidence further.
The research-oriented course does particularly stresses learning outside the traditional educational environment. In this connection websites can provide interactive education.
Founder vice-chancellor of Science and Technology University in Rural Bangladesh, the writer teaches Satellite and Wireless Communications at Peoples University Bangladesh and could be contacted at e-mail: lutfor@agni.com