How Technology Has Changed Teaching and Learning

Blending Tradition with Innovation: The Future of Education Unfolds in Today's Classroom

Technology now plays a larger role in society than it ever has before. Every aspect of our lives is changing and will continue to change. It is transforming the way we interact, conduct business, learn and teach, and even the way our brains work.

The learning environment is evolving as a result of the introduction of technology. Students now have more choices than they ever expected. People used to only study in a classroom back in the day. People nowadays only need a computer and access to the internet. They study at their leisure, whether at home or in a coffee shop. The role of the teacher changes as the student’s skills, knowledge, and needs change.

Technology is a powerful tool that can help and improve education in a variety of ways, from making it easier for teachers to develop instructional materials to allowing people to learn and collaborate in new ways. With the Internet’s global reach and the widespread availability of smart devices that can connect to it, a new era of ‘anytime, anywhere’ education is on the horizon.

Technology and education are now inextricably related. Technology in education is opening up new doors. The effect of technology on education has changed how we approach education, whether it is delivered in person or online. In this article, let’s look at how technology has impacted education.

1. Increased Access To Education – Anywhere, Anytime Learning

Students now have better access to all types of information thanks to technology and the internet. In previous decades, it was difficult for the average person to obtain books. They were always scarce and costly, and only accessible to the rich and elite.

Books, podcasts, blogs, videos, and other forms of educational content are now available online. Whatever you need is right at your fingertips. Students may also get an education and a degree by enrolling in online degree programmes and platforms like Sentinel9. The possibilities for obtaining an education are nearly limitless, thanks to technological advancements.

Although many students prefer conventional textbooks, eBooks have opened up a whole new range of possibilities for academics as education technology has progressed. While many people think of eBooks as just digital versions of conventional books, they are much more. Multimedia may be embedded into a PDF book, for example, to better illustrate those concepts. Furthermore, it enables students to reduce the amount of books they must carry while still providing instant access to a wide range of books.

Allconnect has complied an excellent guide with a plethora of free digital resources and deals available in free internet and tech space that might be beneficial and handy for educators and students alike.

1. Collaborative Learning

Since technology allows for such versatility in learning, students these days are able to collaborate more effectively. Technology is an important component of collaborative learning.

A situation in which two or more individuals learn or attempt to learn something together is referred to as collaborative learning. It means problem-based learning, conversations, reflection, and other ways in which students participate actively in the learning process. Laptops and mobile devices, on the other hand, are important for remote collaboration and online learning outside the classroom. Students are developing new approaches to problem solving and learning how to collaborate with their peers thanks to technology, which is a valuable skill for their potential careers.

Collaboration is no longer seen as a good to have; it has become a requirement. From social networking websites to instant messaging software, a plethora of resources promote or even encourage cooperation such as famous Google Drive, Dropbox, and Evernote.

1. Roles of the Teachers

Teachers’ and students’ responsibilities have started to change as a result of technical advances. The teacher is the primary source of knowledge in the conventional classroom, and the students passively receive it. This model of the teacher as the ‘sage on the stage’ has been around for a long time in education, and it is still prevalent today. However, as a result of the increased access to knowledge and educational opportunities offered by technology, the teacher’s position in many classrooms is changing to that of a ‘guide on the side’, as students take more responsibility for their own learning and use technology to gather relevant information. Schools and universities around the country are starting to reimagine learning environments to support this modern paradigm of education, promoting more engagement and small group work while using technology.

1. Improved Ability to Cater for Special Needs

In the past, the world of education was characterised by a static classroom framework. Regardless of their needs or skills, each student had the same experience. While some students thrived in this environment, others had unmet requirements.

Technology enhances a school’s ability to meet the needs of students of all kinds. Students with hearing, speech, or vision impairments, as well as those who are often housebound, can now get a good education. Students with academic, emotional, or developmental disabilities may benefit from technological advances. Regardless of a student’s specific needs, technology improves education by enhancing our capacity to communicate.

Traditional Education vs. Modern Method

The trend of flipping classrooms – a model of teaching in which students learn new content online by watching video lectures, usually at home, and what used to be homework is now done in class with teachers offering more personalized guidance and interaction with students, instead of lecturing (source: Wikipedia  has gained traction in recent years, and it can be considered a radical shift in how students learn. By encouraging students to work collaboratively on their assignments during class time, the relatively new model often reduces homework load on students.

While new learning models are disrupting the status quo of conventional education, is it possible that the increasing amount of time children spend in front of screens is harmful? Children are more likely to learn information from books than from computers, according to some studies. There has also been a notable rise in low-tech or tech-free schools, which claim that human contact is key in keeping children interested and eager to learn.

Furthermore, people forget how to socialise when they use technology to participate in classes, do homework, and work in groups. As a result, rather than making it the basis of the classes, it’s suggested to make it a method. To learn and solve problems, there should be a balance between using computers and real social contact. Technology will help you save time and make learning easier.

Final thoughts

Technology is altering the face of education in unimaginable ways. No one would have believed you ten years ago if you told them that students would be able to attend classes from the comfort of their own homes. That is the rate of technical development. Take a look at some of the great online teaching tools available. They include features such as real-time student-teacher interaction, live class recording, and an online whiteboard, among others. Education as a whole has changed dramatically, and for the better. We’re on the right path. All we have to do now is make the best use of the resources we have and use them wisely.

References

1. How Has Technology Changed Education? (2017, April 25). Retrieved from https://online.purdue.edu/ldt/learning-design-technology/resources/how-has-technology-changed-education

2. How Technology is Shaping the Future of Education (2020, February 17). Retrieved from https://www.visualcapitalist.com/how-technology-is-shaping-the-future-of-education/

3. Burg, N. (2014, October 14). How Technology Has Changed College In Recent Years. Retrieved November 22, 2015, from http://www.businessinsider.com/sc/how-technology-has-changed-college-2014-10