A Brief Summary
The article is based on well researched information on technological advancements in schools and colleges. It highlights the benefits of technology and its penetration into the education sector.
The article covers all the advantages of artificial intelligence at the school level. Teachers and students will benefit from the information provided herein.
Introduction
Believe it or not, the origin of technology started with the invention of the wheel. This is regarded as the most important invention of the world.
After this, numerous inventions took place and that has now led to where we stand today.
Today, the advancements in technology are so vast. So, for the sake of ease, we will refer to technology as electronic-related inventions.
Almost everything we see around us is the result of technological advancements. So much so, that everything we do is controlled by technology. Technology governs even our daily chores.
When it comes to education, there are always mixed opinions regarding the combination of the two-technology and education. Let’s call it techno education.
While some believe that the advent of technology in education is ruining the traditional system built over centuries.
Whereas, on the other hand, some think that technology and education must go hand in hand to be prepared for the future.
While there are pros and cons with techno education, it is proven beyond doubt that we cannot do without it. Techno education will stay and rule the future.
Now that we know it is here to stay, let’s accept it and prepare ourselves for the technology boom in our lives.
Sometimes you may wonder, how does technology help students? We always hear the negative impact of electronic gadgets in the hands of youngsters.
However, today we put aside the negative effects and will deal with the positive impact the advancements in technology have on youngsters.
14 Ways How Technology Help Students Learn
We all know too much of anything is bad. For example, if your doctor tells you to eat more greens and you end up eating only greens, this too will impact your body system adversely. This just goes to show that too much of anything is bad. Even if it is good for your health.
Likewise, too much screen time or too much of the internet may adversely affect youngsters. However, the optimal use of technology can result in positive wonders on these impressionable minds.
The right use of technology in education can help students, teachers, and parents to gain knowledge about global inventions, research, and discoveries with just a click.
1. Efficient learning
One of the ways how technology helps students is that it provides better and more efficient learning modules. Students can design their efficient methods of learning, unlike a traditional classroom where students have to learn in bulk along with their peers.
2. Engages students
It improves the engagement of students while learning. When teachers are able to introduce novel methods through technology, like apps, softwares and other online resources, it helps to engage students in the curriculum.
For example, My Pedia and Byjus are learning software programs that integrate the learning and teaching tools using a scientific approach. It aims at engaging students from the basic levels to higher classes.
3. Self-Paced learning
Introducing technology in education allows students to learn at their own pace. In a traditional classroom, a teacher conducts classes.
Students are forced to grasp concepts faster than their actual pace. Slow learners have to catch up and quick graspers must slow down.
This problem is overcome by technology-based education. Each student can cope with the syllabus at his or her own pace.
Some students who have not understood a concept clearly can use online tools to supplement study material and texts.
4. Improves Collaboration Amongst Peers
Introducing technology in schools and colleges encourages collaborative learning amongst students. Collaborative learning can be defined as group learning from which students benefit from the other student’s resources and knowledge.
A research paper written by Dorota Domalewska of the Rangsit University, Thailand, and published in the International Journal of Education and Development using information and communication technology in 2014 stated that technology-assisted instruction promotes collaborative work as students communicate with each other in new meaningful contexts and communicative activities are necessary to be employed in the classroom because the learners’ competence develops as their need to use the language increases.
Technologically-supported collaborative learning enhances language development as students learn in social interactions; commenting on each other’s work prompts learners to share their experiences, reflect on their own and their classmates’ work and analyze it thus developing their critical thinking skills.
5. Improves Individual Learning
Apart from encouraging collaborative learning, technology also improves individual learning. It allows students to learn at their own comfortable pace.
Various software programs, apps, and websites offer tutorials to students who are unable to keep up with the routine of a classroom.
These programs help students with recorded videos, question banks and designated mentors. This way each child is able to keep up with the classroom set up through these online modules.
Most of these online programs come with individually paced modules that suit each student’s capacity.
You May Also Like Creative Thinking Skills
6. Provides Opportunity for Project Based Learning
Technology provides great opportunities for project based learning. The introduction of technology in this type of learning module improves student motivation, engagement with tasks and provides access to otherwise inaccessible information.
The newer technology is interactive and so easier to create and design modules that engage students in doing certain tasks.
A research paper published on ERIC enumerates the positive effects of project-based learning strategy on self-directed learning of educational technology students.
The study revealed that students who were taught using Project-Based learning strategy in educational technology performed significantly better in terms of self-directed learning skills than did students who were taught using Conventional teaching strategies.
7. Different Theories, the Same Solution
One of the best ways of how technology helps students learn is that online experiences provide more knowledge on the same subject matter.
If we use the example of the Pythagoras theorem – there are many explanations for one concept. Students who can not understand the explanation from one person can easily browse online for another explanation to the same theorem.
The internet has many explanations. Different people take to the internet to explain their version of a concept. This helps students understand the concept from different perspectives instead of the rigid textbook explanation.
8. Big Motivator
Technology is the biggest motivator for students. Students like to browse the internet for information. The very feel of a device in hand can give a boost to students.
9. Keeps Parents Updated
One of the ways how technology helps education is that it keeps parents, who are the main caregivers after teachers, updated.
This means, that when a child asks a parent for help in understanding a concept, a parent who may not be in touch with the subject can always help the student through the use of technology.
Parents can browse the internet and understand the subject well before helping out the student.
10. Keeps Parents Informed
The Internet has many tools through which parents can keep a record of the students browsing history and academic performances. Through these technological advancements’ parents can keep a watch on students’ progress in education.
Also, the interaction between parents and teachers was so minimum earlier. However, now, with the introduction of technology in education, parents and teachers can interact almost daily. Thereby keeping a record and track of student activity and behavior in school.
Technology has helped parents keep a real-time record of the child in school
11. Anytime Anywhere
Probably the greatest advantage of technology in education is that it is imparted anywhere and anytime, even on a moving bus.
The concept of distance education started with the onset of technology. A person in Hawaii can attend a class conducted in India. This is the advancement in technology.
It has brought the world closer, making it possible for colleges and universities to impart education as per global standards.
Online classes are pre-recorded and played and replayed at any convenient time for students and teachers.
12. Makes for Interesting Teaching and Learning
We have seen how technology helps students and parents, but did you know how technology helps teachers too? Through gadgets and devices teachers can make a boring subject appear livelier and more colourful.
Textbook teaching can sometimes be monotonous and dull. However, introducing mobile devices, ICT boards and tablets while teaching can make the subject more interesting.
Many teachers look up the internet for ideas to impart a concept. It may be more information on the subject, or an educational game to enforce the concept better.
You May Also Like Technology Addiction in Youth
13. Virtual Reality Education
Another way technology helps education is that the classes can showcase virtual reality instead of 2D book images and text. Virtual reality themes enhance the learning experiences for students. Here, sound and sight senses are ignited.
14. The Demand of the Future
Years of research and experiments have given rise to technological advancements over the years. Technology will rule the future.
With everything connected to the internet, it is bound to have a great impact on the future. Therefore, we must prepare students for the future. A digital future.
15. Makes Learning Fun
One of the benefits of technology for students is that it makes learning through technology fun. Compare a still picture in a textbook to moving images on a screen.
Moving images on a screen are far more interesting than a still textbook picture. Learning through new methods using technology can bring in an element of fun in the learning process.
Interactive educational games, informative videos, or even learning through a host of colorful images can be a fun way to learn.
16. Easy Access to Information
Technology has made it easy to access information. With just a click of a button, you have a whole world of information before you. Your home has become a mini library with all information on a single platform.
17. A Platform for Different Types of Learners
Technology has made it easy for students of a different calibre. Gone are the days when slow learners were left behind and quick graspers had to wait for the rest. With the introduction of technology based education, everyone can follow their own pace.
Slow learners have the advantage of reviewing recorded classes and slowly absorbing concepts. Whereas, fast learners can move ahead of the class through online courses.
Technology based education is a game-changer for all types of learners. It is one of the most important benefits of technology for students.
18. Encourages Students to Be a Team Player
Believe it or not, introducing technology in education can help students be team players. There are many apps and software programs that help to make communication easier. Effective communication is one of the single most important factors that help build a proactive team.
Let’s take, for example, a project required to be completed by your team of 6 members. Meeting all these six members and coordinating with each one may be difficult.
In such cases, technology can come to your advantage. Students can use technology to easily communicate with each other, exchange information, and research on the internet.
Long communication patterns are now reduced to split-second communication. This has allowed students to be better team players.
Conclusion
The current world situation demands the immediate need for technology in education. With the ill effects of the pandemic looming over our heads, technology in education has become the need of the hour.
More schools, colleges, and universities have made themselves digital-friendly and have adapted well to the current situation.
We cannot ignore the fact the digital age has arrived. How much we try to postpone the onset of technology, is bound to arrive.
Making yourself tech-savvy and digital-friendly is the only way forward-in education and otherwise.
You May Also Like Why Education Is Important?
