Technology in Education

Technology in Education

Technology can become the “Wings” that will allow the educational world to fly farther and faster than ever before –it will allow it.

                                                                                                                                                                                                 -Jenny Arledge.

The effective Use of Technology in Education has changed the face of education and it has created more educational opportunities. Both teachers and students have benefited from various educational technologies, teachers have learned how to integrate technology in their classrooms and students are getting more interested in learning with technology. The use of technology in education has removed educational boundaries, both students and teachers can collaborate in real time using advanced educational technologies.

Technology has helped in the growth of mobile learning and long distance learning. The use of internet technology has enabled teachers to reach students across borders and also students from developing countries have used internet technology to subscribe for advanced educational courses. Many universities and colleges have embraced online education by creating virtual classrooms. Online education is flexible and affordable, students can attend classrooms during their free time, and they can also have a chance to interact with other students virtually.

Recent advancements in educational technologies have yielded positive results in our education sector. This new educational technology is supporting both teaching and learning processes, technology has digitized classrooms through digital learning tools like, computers, iPads, smartphones, smart digital white boards; it has expanded course offerings, it has increased student’s engagement and motivation towards learning.

ADVANTAGES OF TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION:

1. Technology Unlocks Educational Boundaries: Technology supports Virtual or Online Learning. Unlike physical classrooms, online learning is flexible and students from different geographical locations can attend the same class with no need of traveling from those locations. Advancement in virtual technology has supported face-to-face communication between students and teachers in the virtual world. In this case, students can easily ask their remote based educators’ questions using virtual communication tools like SKYPE. Online education is a new wave in our education environment and it has made many educational courses and material accessible to anyone in the world.  Many colleges and universities are blending their educational systems with online learning tools, this helps students of these institutions learn from anywhere.

2. Technology Simplifies Access to Educational Resources: Technology helps students gain access to open educational resources. These resources are kept under the public domain and are freely available to anyone over the world-Wide-Web. These educational resources include electronic books (e-books) , pod-casts, digital libraries, educational games, educational videos and instructions, tutorials and much more. Teachers have embraced video hosting platforms like Youtube, to upload recorded lectures, so that students who missed lectures can access them from anywhere. Also the use of cell phones for educational purposes, helps students and teachers access educational information using Edtech Apps . Teachers are also using lesson videos and clips online to learn how other educators are using technology in classroom and education, these techniques and approaches uploaded by other educators promote self training and they help many teachers when it comes to integrating technology in their own classrooms. Website like TeacherTube, Youtube, 02 Learn, are providing free online lessons and videos to students, these videos have been created and uploaded by teachers and experienced educators.

3. Technology Motivates Students: The use of computer based instructions makes students feel in control of what they learn. Students find it easy to learn with technology because computers are patient compared to humans. Teachers publish educational instructions on classroom blogs or they assign research work via email, and this gives a student time to study on their own and have no fear of making mistakes during the process of learning.  Also the use of Gamification educational technologies has increased students interest in learning, teachers use educational puzzles and video games to teach students how to solve different academic challenges, this all process makes students love to learn.

4. Technology Improves Students Writing and Learning Skills: The use of computers in the classroom has helped many students learn how to write well composed sentences and paragraphs. Computers have word processing applications which students use to take notes in the classroom, these word processing applications have built-in dictionaries which help students auto-correct spelling errors and also correct their grammar in a sentence. Also students using English teaching software and mobile applications like BUSUU. Many students have used BUSUU APP to learn different languages online and they can also get access to grammar guides provided by experienced publishers. Teachers encourage their students to create personal blogs using free blog publishing services like BLOGGER & WORDPRESS, students use these blogs to express themselves and share with friends, this process helps students learn how to write creative blog posts.

5. Technology makes subjects easy to learn: Different types of educational software are designed to help students learn various subjects easier. Many students complain that learning Math is difficult, so some of them have decided to use educational Math software like BrainingCamp. Students can use BrainingCamp to apply their Math knowledge and skills to solve different math equations. BrainingCamp.com makes learning math very interesting. Also students use math learning games to learn new skills of solving math equations. Websites like IXL.COM, learninggamesforkids.com, help students of different grades to learn simple math basics. Teachers and students can take advantage of sites like Edalive.com; they create powerful educational software that motivates students to learn in a fun way. Some of the best educational software on Edalive.com include:

6. Promotes Individual Learning: Technological tools like cell phones and internet give students an opportunity to learn by themselves. Many students prefer teaching themselves and discovering content by themselves, this process allows them to test various options to solve a given task at school. Students use interactive educational games and software to develop different academic skills. For example; Art and design students can use Photoshop software to learn different design and editing skills, the process of learning how to use Photoshop is tricky, but the more mistakes and trials a student makes, the better they become at using Photoshop. Also the use of cell phones as educational tools encourages students to download educational podcasts which they can listen to while at home.

7. Supports Differentiated Instructions:  Teachers can use technology to cater for each and every student’s needs in the classroom or outside of the classroom. The use of classroom assessment software and performance tracking programs helps teachers plan for each student basing on their performance and learning capabilities. Teachers can be in position to classify students and know their weakness and strength as far as education is concerned. Teachers can use mobile applications like PollEverywhere.com to get student’s response on any topic or subject. Social collaboration tools like Piazza.com can help teachers create virtual classroom and assign research work or answer student’s questions from anywhere.

8. Increases Collaboration between Teachers and Students: The use of advanced communication technologies in education helps teachers reach their students easily and it also helps students reach their teachers or fellow students in real-time. Teachers can use mobile texting applications like Remind101.com to text students about an upcoming test or to assign them research topics. Educational social networks like ePals.com connect students with experienced educators; social bookmarking sites like Pinterest.com help students collaborate and follow creative teachers and educators from around the world.  This flexibility in interaction and communication between teachers and students helps shy students improve on their grades.

9. Prepares Students for Tomorrows Technological Jobs: As the world develops, every job in the future will require applicants to have some technical skills. So the use of technology in education prepares our children for tomorrows advanced working conditions. Students use computers in the classroom to develop creative applications which can be used on cell phones or tablets for educational purposes. The advantages of knowing how to use a computer are limitless, so the more time a students spends using various technological tools at school, the more experienced and creative they become. According to research, the most popular jobs today will be of no value in the next 5-10 years, because technology will automate most of these tasks, so it is better to equip our children with technical skills so that they create their own jobs.

10. Increases Students Innovation and Creativity: Many teachers have discovered that integrating technology in their classroom increases student’s engagement in the classroom. So now they put up technological competitions where students can make small educational technologies like robots, smart-pens, mobile applications and much more. These technological competitions in schools have increased the level of creativity and innovation among students. Technology teaches students how to solve challenges and get ready for more difficult tasks in life.

Technology should not replace teachers. Its main use is to enable students learn better through increasing their engagement in educational activities.

Technology is not having cool ipads or expensive gadgets; it is about the learning process. Technology has to improve the learning process and aim at improving student’s grades.

Technology has to facilitate and stimulate individual learning. Students should use technology to learn on their own with limited help from teachers.