Modern Technology in Education

Technology has heavily impacted almost every aspect of our lives, and education is no exception. In many ways, one might think that education hasn’t changed much over the years. If you look at classroom photos of decades ago, the scene might look familiar because it’s very similar to the modern classroom. The teacher is lecturing from the podium, while the students are sat with their books opened. Some may be looking at the teacher, some are talking to each other and some are nearly asleep. Modern classrooms are quite the same. However, one of the  differences is that now the hardcover books have been replaced by screens of technological devices. This isn’t the only aspect in which technology has left its footprints. Let’s see which are the changes technology brought along with it.

How Is Technology Affecting Education?

Teachers in the pre-technological era didn’t have many tools to enhance their teaching process. They depended mostly on the blackboard and the chalk to make the learning process easier and enjoyable for the students. Being the primary source of information, teachers stood at the center of the room, delivering lectures while students passively received it. However, in the technological era, the classrooms transformed from teacher-centered to student-centered.

This came as a result of wanting to focus more on the students. A student-centered classroom means that the learning responsibility is put on the student with the intention of getting them out of the shell and teaching to become independent. Through many technological tools that teachers have at their disposal, they try to make the learning process fun, interactive, and informational for students by engaging them and giving a sense of independence.

Technology hasn’t only changed the way teachers deliver their lessons and how students learn; it has also made education in general more accessible to millions of students through online classes and online resources.

Benefits of Technology in Education

Using technology in the classroom definitely has many advantages. Here are some of them.

Creates a more engaging learning environment

Technology can encourage students to participate in the classroom actively. While some students might find the experience of talking in front of their classmates intimidating, the online classes might have the opposite effect on them. They might feel more comfortable expressing themselves in writing by joining discussions on discussion boards that online courses offer. Not to mention the lessons that become more interactive and interesting for students to follow. It may also help with communication between students. While some find it awkward to ask colleagues for help on particular subjects, communicating online might be easier for them.

Improves collaboration

Over the years, professors have seen an increase in collaboration between students whenever they involve technology in the classroom. Unlike lecture-based classes where students stay passive and wait for the teacher to disseminate information for them, and most of it isn’t retained, in the classes where technology is involved, students tend to collaborate more, and the percentage of the retained information increases too.

Incorporated different learning styles

You can’t find two identical students. They all have different learning styles. That’s why it’s difficult for the teachers to create a lesson plan that incorporates all of the different learning styles. With the help of technology, this has become possible. Some students learn best by hearing, so you use videos or podcasts in the classroom; some students prefer using pictures to visualize what they’re learning, and some might learn best on their own, so they use online learning. Technology helps teachers become creative in ways of teaching.

Boosts student motivation to learn

When we do something that we enjoy, we want to do it more. Simple as that. That’s how technology can boost students’ motivation to learn. Most students have been raised with technology, and they’re used to it. So they don’t have a problem with it, quite contrarily, they enjoy using it. Through technology, active learners remain engaged with the lessons and it encourages the students who aren’t that active to find something that will make the learning process easier and fun for them.

Makes self-paced learning possible

Schools continue to have rigid schedules that students must follow. However, technology is reducing that rigidity. Technology makes it possible for students to study at a pace that fits them. Self-paced learning has opened the door to education to many individuals around the world. It’s through self-paced online learning that many people who don’t have time and resources to attend the university get to earn degrees online like online MBAs.

The technology is also helping teachers to create programs and compile curriculums that best meet the needs of individual students and helps enhance the learning process.

Drawbacks of Technology in Education

We can’t deny the advantages of using technology in the classroom. But, we also can’t deny its disadvantages. Find listed a few of them below.

Students might lose their interest to learn

Seeing that most of the learning resources are stored online or in computers, students might develop poor learning habits and create a lazy attitude toward learning. Some might even think that they don’t even have to go to school since they can find everything they need to know online. Who needs school when you have Google, right?

Students might become vulnerable to pitfalls of technology

The computer can be a source of problems as much as it is an invaluable tool. This is mostly true for students who lack technical skills to maximize the functionality of the device. Not everyone has an Information Technology degree to be proficient in the ways computers work. Computer malfunctions, as well as technical problems, can result in students losing their assignments and other important materials, which, in turn, can cause high levels of stress.

Can diminish the value of online education

Although there isn’t any research that can show how personal interaction affects students’ performance, there is data that indicates that students enrolled in online classes are more likely to have lower grades or fail than they are to benefit from them. This may come as a result of the lack of face-to-face interaction between teachers and students in the online classroom. Another reason might be that without a teacher that looks over them, students might get tempted to use technology for other purposes instead of learning online.

Technology used in the Classrooms

When we talk about technology in education, we mean all types of technology that are used to enhance the learning experience. Here are a few most used technology tools in education.

• Electronic Whiteboards
• Flipped Learning
• Desktops and Laptops
• Projectors
• Distance Learning
• Virtual Field Trips

All things considered, technology has had a significant impact on technology. Some may consider this impact as positive, and some say that this impact was negative at most. At the end of the day, we know that the use of technology is inevitable. However, it’s in the hands of the teachers and students themselves to decide how much technology they want to incorporate into the learning process.

Summary:

Technology in Education

Technology has heavily impacted almost every aspect of our lives, and education is no exception. In the technological era, the classrooms transformed from teacher- centered to student-centered. This came as a result of wanting to focus more on the students. A student-centered classroom means that the learning responsibility is put on the student with the intention of getting them out of the shell and teaching to become independent. Through many technological tools that teachers have at their disposal, they try to make the learning process fun, interactive, and informational for students by engaging them and giving a sense of independence. Technology hasn’t only changed the way teachers deliver their lessons and how students learn; it has also made education in general more accessible to millions of students through online classes and online resources.Technology creates a more engaging learning environment. It improves collaboration and incorporates different learning styles. It also boosts motivation and allows students to self-pace.

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