Technology & Education: Why They Go Hand In Hand

In a world in full digital transformation, where new information and communication technologies are constantly evolving, the current challenge is to search the right way to integrate and harness the power of these technologies. Creating a curriculum that appreciates the role of technology in education can serve to increase engagement in the classroom and make learning easier and more efficient.

Coding or robotics? Exposure due to technology is helping your child learn new things faster. And with virtual classrooms now becoming the "new normal" here are some advantages of technology in your kid's overall growth and education.

A World Of Courses

The advent of online education portals has made education more accessible than ever before. From learning coding languages to data analysis softwares to marketing, there is nothing a child cannot gain expertise in - simply by taking a course in it. It’s fascinating that it’s all just a click away! Education is now not bound by age or hierarchy: for example, a student doesn’t have to wait to enter the 11th grade to learn Accounting. He can do it at any age because courses generally have a beginners, intermediate and advanced level to them. Virtual classroom learning is at its peak, and children should embrace virtual learning as soon as possible.

Distance Education

Distance education is a way of learning where the students or working professionals can learn the courses remotely through online access and interact with faculty via virtual classrooms. It helps students to interact with their mentors or tutors directly through chat, e-mail or phone call. Indian is a developing country and for many students who are living in remote places or villages getting a degree for higher education is still a distant dream. In such instances technology enabled distance education can help them to complete their studies, upgrade their skills and get a degree. This gives the students or working professionals the flexibility to learn at their own time without the compulsion of going to a class. The role of technology in education is widely appreciated and is inculcated through the availability of broadband and hi-speed internet along with low cost computers has made learning seamless without any glitches.

Virtual Classroom Based Learning

Nowadays technology has become an integral part of classroom based teachings - especially after the advent of virtual classrooms. Today in many schools, colleges and universities in India instead of blackboard projector screens are used for teachings. Schools across India are realizing the importance of technology in education. Handwritings of teachers are replaced by powerpoint presentations. Students experience a different kind of set up in today's technology based classroom. Gadgets like tablets and laptops are used to take down notes. Animated content is created on various subjects and in different languages so that students can have a better understanding of a complex subject in a simple way.

Online Learning Management System

Another manifestation of the role of technology in education is through the online Learning Management System. Many schools and colleges in India are integrating an online Learning Management System or LMS platform into their web portal. Students can remotely login to access course material and also attend live classes with teachers. Pre-recorded lectures, videos can be uploaded on the LMS platform making it easy for students to go through it multiple times.

Too often, we allow ourselves to be dazzled by "technology for technology's sake." For example, a district might pursue a 1:1 technology program and consider it successful when a laptop, netbook, or tablet is in the hands of every student. However, simply "having" or even using technology every day does not represent an end in and of itself. The role of technology in education should be properly viewed as a means to the ultimate end objective of increased student engagement and learning.

Way Forward

Methods used within the classroom not only need to keep evolving, but also harness the effects of the digital revolution in a positive and constructive manner. Creating a curriculum that appreciates the importance of technology in the learning process can serve to increase engagement in the classroom and make learning easier and more efficient.

A common misperception surrounding the impact of technology on learning is that the Internet, with all its factual data, has served to render our long-term memory as useless. Why commit to learning something if a simple press of a button will give you the answers you are looking for? Proponents of this argument therefore believe that the need to remember facts is no longer essential to our education. Laptops, tablets, and smartphones are facing sharp criticism for their ability to distract the student in the classroom and lecture theatre. This is not surprising, with studies showing that university students who frequently engage with laptops during lectures understand less than those who do not. However, the addictive nature of technology, such as video games, can be harnessed in positive ways. An innovation in education is underway and a long time coming.

Podar International School focuses on holistic learning and staying up-to-date with the latest technology. Your child is taught to be ahead of the game. Check out our admission process here for more details about us.