You probably know the everyday struggle between students and parents when parents order their children to stay off their tech gadgets. Is technology really that bad for your children?
The answer is, it depends on how they use it. It is just like a knife that can be used purposefully or in a bad way. However, technology in education is fighting to keep the reputation of technology good.
However, as per studies, the online textbooks (eBooks) cost about 35% less than traditional printed textbooks. How has this technology been used in education and what are the results?
Implementation of technology in education
Technology and education have been paired in various ways that has benefited and furthered the interests of higher education in high schools and universities. This model was created because it saves time, money and interests the students, which makes them more engaged in class and benefit more than they would.
The implementation of this model of learning has been very useful in terms of saving time. Using overhead projectors or preloaded curriculum in school computers saves the time that teachers would waste writing on the chalkboard the lesson of the day.
The students also don’t have to waste time writing the notes on the board before the teacher wipes the board. For examples, topics about IT, test preparation material, it can all be available on a single click.
Cost savings were evident in buying eBooks. Students don’t have to have big budgets to buy textbooks and other books to write notes, but instead, they can now just download the books they need.
Buying these books online comes with its savings because there are no printing and shipping costs, hence saving you those few extra bucks.
Youngsters have always been hooked to technology and they understand it better than anything. Using technology in class and for educational purposes increases their attentiveness because it makes things interesting for them. Even when they do their homework, it doesn’t feel like a burden but they look forward to it even more.
The tools that have been developed for this model
The spend on the different EdTech tools was above $1.2 Billion in 2017 alone. These spend is living proof of how technology has changed education. The invention of these tools and of the Internet has inspired the creation of cutting-edge online writing services like EduBirdie UK alongside other useful resources. Tools that have been used in and out class include:
- Mobile learning platforms
- Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality (AR /VR)
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Mobile Learning Platforms
Mobile learning platforms have been made available for different types of online courses and online tutoring purposes. This has made learning more flexible and enjoyable at the comfort of your home and has made young ones prepare for exams more easily.
There are platforms with eBooks, infographics, videos, podcasts and other educational resources. You can also find online universities that give you the whole curriculum online and work more like a distance learning program. This helps people who need to learn in their own time, at their own pace.
Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality
AR / VR has helped students become more engaged in their studies and have real-life experience of the subject they are studying. Educational applications help students see with their own eyes what they are learning and with great illustrations, the students tend to understand the subject even better.
History students can date back in time to every detail of the place they are studying. The boosted focus and interest will make the subject stick more in the students’ head and become more applicable when required.
Artificial Intelligence
Every kid and young adult like robots and because of this a few companies have started developing different types of intelligent robots. Using the same technology as Amazon’s Alexa, these robots can talk, answer questions, teach and show emotion to the students.
There are other tools like Gradescope that help teachers focus more on teaching and less time grading the students’ papers. These developments help both the teacher and the student because if students are attentive during class, they will perform better in their exams and help in their overall development.
If teachers are also fully engaged in teaching rather than administrative tasks, they will also perform well in their fields.
Final thoughts
Technology is not the enemy here but it is how it used that matters. When used right, it can boost the marks of the students and has the potential of helping out underperforming students. There is a bright future for technology in education and especially for the spread of education to all parts of the world.
When the tools that are under development are rolled out and have been scaled out to be more affordable. That’s when the benefits of technology in education will be seen first-hand. Watch the space in this industry and be open to new ideas and be adaptable to change.
featured image: unsplash
Author Bio Bryan Davis has been active in the EdTech arena for more than a decade now. He works as a consultant for many online courses’ companies and startups in the development of software that helps learning in schools and colleges easier. In his free time, Bryan likes to spend time by the lake fishing, reading books sitting on the terrace and cooking seafood for his close friends.
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