Transforming Education Through Technology
There has been a massive transformation in education since the 21st century. In the past couple of decades, more educators have been implementing technology within their curriculum. Today, you can see technology used in all grades, from grade school to university. But how exactly has technology changed the education landscape? Here are just some of the ways that technology has transformed education.
Interactive Learning
One of the most important changes technology has done to education is that it has given students a learning experience that is more engaging. Computers have allowed students to do assignments in the forms of games, where they can learn arithmetic, languages, science, finance, etc. Websites such as education.com or abcya.com have a variety of games for students to play depending on what subjects they want to learn. Sometimes playing these games allows for students to better understand a certain subject because they are actively learning instead of passively learning. According to a panel at Stanford, they found that games can provide for a deeper learning experience as they help students develop non-cognitive skills for example patience and discipline. Developing non-cognitive skills is crucial for success and some experts believe it is a bigger indicator of a student's success than IQ. Not only do these games allow for students to have fun but it also allows them to have fun in the process.
Breaks Geographical Barriers
The internet has allowed for people from any part of the world to be “transported” to a different part of the world. Students are now able to learn outside their geographical area with the help of technology. Students that live in a rural part of America can learn about what is going on in the Amazon jungle by following a team of scientists working there through a live stream. They can track all the work the scientist has done from their studies, photos, blog posts, and even email the scientist themselves through email. Learning without borders not only allows for them to see first hand what it’s like in another part of the world but it can also help them see other cultures and become more tolerant of those who are different. It’s now easier than ever to have students from one country interact with another group of students in a different country. They can share their culture and exchange ideas on a certain subject both students are learning.
Saves Money
Although technology can be costly upfront, in the long term it can save money rather than from buying school supplies. The reason for this is because of how reusable technology is. There are a variety of applications a computer can run and it’s essentially an all-in-one device. Whereas, when buying notebooks, pencils, or folders only serve one purpose, and can’t really be used more than once. So instead of students having to buy all different kinds of traditional school supplies, really the only thing they would need would be a computer. This also goes for teachers, as it is known they spend so much of their own money on classroom supplies every year. Now with smart boards that serve multiple purposes they no longer have to spend their money on markers or whiteboard erasers. Teachers won’t have to print out packets or worksheets for students to do, now they can just upload assignments to Google Classroom or other applications. Not to mention textbooks which can cost a fortune for students, schools can buy e-books at a fraction of the price. This extends outside of the classroom as well, now school districts don’t need to mail out paper documents such as report cards to parents they can easily just e-mail electronic documents to them.
Gives Parents More Insight
Before technology was introduced in the learning environment, it was difficult for parents to stay in the know about their child’s academic standing. If parents wanted to find out they would either have to ask their child or the teacher themselves. However, technology has been able to act as the portal for parents to stay informed on their child’s learning. Today, parents can now look up how their child’s grades online through schools' Learning Management System. Not only can they check on their grades but they can also see their attendance, and comments about their classroom behavior. Technology is not just helpful for parents to gain insight into their child’s learning but it is also a good tool for parents to turn to when they struggle to help with their child’s learning. Parents can help find step-by-step tutorials on websites such as Youtube or Khan Academy. It’s especially helpful for finding the right tutor for your child and here at Pandemic Professors, we offer free tutors for children in low-income families.
Written By: Irfan Jeddy
