Technology is constantly changing, and it is changing for the better. It has significantly impacted our life by improving lifestyles. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the world of education is highly affected by technology, and technology has been extremely beneficial in education. Educators, teachers, and mentors must adapt to such technological progress to keep up with the changing technology and the world. The impact of technology on education can be observed and felt in every aspect of learning.
The shift from traditional book-based learning to technological incorporation is gradual but steady. New technological advancements are being used in educational institutions for teaching, learning, and administration. For successful teaching and learning experiences, the academic sphere relies on cutting-edge technology. Educators are implementing new technologies in the learning to help students grasp the topic more effectively. From virtual classrooms or laboratories to new means of communication and media, new technologies are enabling professors' interactions with students from anywhere in the world at any time and presenting new and effective ways to teach. This has the potential to entirely transform the way learning environments look in the years ahead.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the world of learning has shifted from offline to online. The classroom has been replaced with an online video conferencing platform. Blackboard has been replaced by smartphones or laptops or tablets, and textbooks have been replaced by e-books. The days of having to rely on traditional books to gain knowledge are long gone. In the recent times, everything is available with just a click. Students and teachers can obtain any answers or any information with the use of the internet. Technological advancements have made it possible for every student to access solutions easily from any part of the world.
Benefits of technological advancements in education
The education system has been drastically transformed due to modern technology. The Internet has opened a wide door to many possibilities and development in learning. The virtual classrooms have made education accessible to anyone who wants to educate themselves from anywhere in the world, at any time, on any topic.
Accessibility to learning
One of the biggest hindrances to education is inaccessibility, but accessibility for simple and efficient learning has improved thanks to improved technology immensely. Learning can now be found in every corner of the globe at any time. Various schools and colleges are training and empowering their faculty and educators to adapt and make the best use of the technology at hand. They are also encouraged to immerse themselves in new and advanced educational experiences. In the recent times, education has been accessible to people living in remote rural areas. Teachers and lecturers from around the world can teach students through video conferencing.
Improved communication
Technology has significantly improved communication and collaborative learning. There are various online forums and discussion pages where students can post their queries or discuss with other students to gain more clarity on a topic. This type of collaborating enables an improved learning experience. It provides educators with powerful tools for creating high engaging content materials that will allow the students to learn the concept easily.
Increase in study material availability
With the shift to online mode, an immense amount of study material are available online. The online study materials are accessible to both teachers and students. The formats available are online papers, articles, e-textbooks, reading materials, blogs, journals and videos. Many educational websites, videos, journals, and publications provide study materials to make learning more understandable and accurate. Most of the information is available freely, and many papers and articles are available as open access that aid better learning and understanding of the topic.
Comfortable learning pace
Not all students learn at the same pace. Some students may need more time to learn and understand the concept than others. Technology aids in learning at one’s own pace. Technology allows the students to receive personalized learning. There are different ways of learning, such as audio/visual, physical, virtual etc., that enables students to learn according to their comfort. As a result, teachers can combine these teaching techniques to provide personalized guidance to students and aid in their overall personality development.
Enhanced productivity
Every education setting requires productivity for smooth functioning. For enhanced productivity, every educational institution involves flexibility. Due to advances in technology, students do not have to worry about notes or completing assignments because everything is now available online for anyone’s reference at any time. Online platforms are available to students to post and clarify their doubts by experts in the field.
Technological implementation in education
The technology market has a huge annual sale which includes various tools used in the world of education. The changes are observed in subjects like Mathematics, English, and Science, as well as specific subjects such as business and fine arts. Due to the technological utilization, many new tools and techniques, as well as some apps and online services, have also gained huge traction inside of academic institutions.
Many schools and colleges use a mix of technological resources with a teacher’s ability to increase engagement among students, increase interactivity, adaptivity and enhance the ability to keep content updated.
The various changes in academic settings due to technology are:
Traditional textbooks replaced by eBooks
Long gone are the days when students would carry many heavy textbooks. Instead, students have now replaced those bulky books with tablets or laptops or smartphones, which allow them to access their notes and other study material in the form of eBooks. This saves paper, and since everything a student needs is stored in their gadgets, the chance of misplacing or losing notes significantly reduces. With the digital resources, not only is the learning process developed and modified, online libraries seem to be becoming prominent that can be accessed from anywhere in the world at any time.
Traditional classrooms replaced by Virtual Classrooms
The main purpose of a virtual classroom is to provide students with a digitally enhanced learning ambience. With the shift to online education, students can now acquire their degrees without even seeing the face of the classroom. Virtual classrooms have given rise to distance learning which is extremely helpful for students who are a single, working parents, or a student living far away from the educational institute.
Simulations
Simulations are found to be extremely beneficial and effective when compared to traditional teaching techniques. They help grasp abstract concepts will ease, allow students and teachers to familiarise themselves with simulated equipment, learn the topic at hand better and allow feedback for improved skills and knowledge. Simulated tools and techniques are also a one-time investment that is cost-effective.
Conclusion
Learning is not just reading through a textbook or listening to a lecture by a teacher or professor. Learning is properly grasping the concept and introducing students to a new world of topics that they were previously unaware of. Technological advancements have opened many possibilities to students. Technology is a powerful tool that has made education much more accessible to students, including students in the remote rural areas. With the prevalence of the internet and devices and its global reach, learning can take place anywhere, at any time, on any topic. Instead of viewing technology as a threat or a negative impact, it should be used for educational purposes and enhanced learning by both the students and teachers who are genuinely interested in expanding their knowledge and broadening their horizons.
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