Technology development doesn’t stand still, and arguably, every aspect of our lives has been affected by technological progress. Education is no exception, especially after the experience of lockdowns during COVID-19, when technology in education has become a necessity. From this point of view, we decided to dive deeper and figure out how technology has changed education and what benefits it brings to the learning process.
The Role of Technology in Education
The impact of technology on education is significant, as these days, it is the opportunity to empower students for the future. In a nutshell, more and more new professions are emerging, and understanding technology and digital literacy is a necessity for children’s future growth and career opportunities. Moreover, using technology in the classroom fosters flexibility and customization of the learning process, as well as improves students’ critical thinking and self-organization.
It’s worth noting that technology is a tool for better education, not a replacement for all the learning processes. Although the Internet makes it easier to find answers to all students’ questions, it’s not a reason to avoid studying. On the contrary, using digital instruments, such as videos, augmented reality, or 3D printing, can boost students’ interest in exploring new things and encourage teachers to present material more interestingly.
How Does Technology Impact Students Learning?
We all use technology in our everyday lives in this or that way to ease and improve the efficiency of some processes. So why not use this approach to studying? Undoubtedly, we can see many positive effects of technology on education in recent years, as both schools and colleges adjust to modern technological advances and incorporate some digital instruments into classrooms that can help students get their best from the learning process.
Personalized Approach to Learning
The pivotal aspect of effective education is the opportunity for students to get a personalized approach to their study. There is no place for the traditional triangle of the board–teacher–students, and teaching with technology predicts latitude to adjust the learning process to individual specifications, in particular:
- The training type: Students may arrange their study at their own pace in terms of engagement in group activities or individual work.
- Information perception: Providing technology for students makes it easier to perceive information with visual, auditory, reading, or writing learning styles and their combination.
- Access to additional courses: Students have the flexibility to dive deeper into some topics with additional courses or other resources to expand their knowledge in topics of interest.
- Hybrid learning: It includes the possibility for students to combine in-person classes with online lessons and have a flexible schedule.
The impact of technology on students grows their frame for focused and effective studying.
Engagement in Classroom Activity
Teaching with technology is beneficial in terms of engaging students in the learning process and activities. By incorporating the correct instruments and digital tools, teachers can catch the attention of their students and involve them in the subject with a little effort. In particular:
It is easier to explore complex matters when information is provided more interactively, not to mention access to all possible sources to find answers to all intricate questions.
Furthermore, the use of technology in learning contributes to a more informal atmosphere so that students can absorb information without having to sit and listen attentively, which can be challenging for some.
Finally, implementing various digital tools fosters interest in the subject and improves students' attendance and motivation.
With these things, the learning process will be more simple and interactive both for students and teachers.
Self-Paced Learning Technology for Students
Self-pace learning is beneficial for students who may have some complications with understanding the subject or those who want to get a deeper understanding of some matters. Internet classrooms, online meetings, recorded lessons, and the variety of material presentations make it easier for students to adjust the learning process to their needs. By using technology, students can develop the following skills:
- Self-organization: Thanks to the strict list of tasks that can be visible in their personal cabinets or with the help of one-on-one computing, students can deal with their classwork faster and more effectively.
- Self-focus: Due to engaging activities and a variety of materials, such as internet books, video lessons, podcasts, etc., students can be more engaged in the process and find the most convenient way to learn the material.
- Critical thinking: Technology in education assists students in applying their knowledge in practice with the help of various interactive games and quizzes.
By incorporating various examples of technology in the classroom, tutors can manage a workload, while students can gain handy skills that will be valuable in their future.
Improved Communication
Now, it is understandable how technology impacts student learning, but it’s worth noting that instructional technology improves communication in the classroom. With the help of chat rooms, group activities, or educational games, it is easier to engage students in discussion. Besides:
- Technology makes the connection between educators and students more informal and positive. Now, students aren’t afraid to ask questions if they have some challenges with understanding the topic or dealing with homework and additional tasks.
- It is possible to communicate with people all over the world if the classroom is international. This way technology promotes communication with people different from them and expands their curiosity in the culture learning.
- It is an excellent opportunity to practice group interaction that simulates the workflow of their future jobs. This way students won’t have any difficulties with understanding the working process.
This significant impact of technology on students allows them to gain new experiences by interacting in groups and feel part of a community.
Technology in Learning Fosters Inclusivity
Various technology solutions are beneficial for the convenience of the learning process. As we mentioned above, students have their own pace of learning and perception of information, so it might be challenging for teachers to adapt lesson plans to meet all the student’s needs. Technology in education simplifies this process, as it can offer various activities and ways of presenting information.
Moreover, it is possible to involve students with some conditions in the study process, including vision problems, hearing impairments, communication disorders, learning, and physical disabilities. Many applications and technologies provide special features to make education accessible to such students. With the help of such technologies as in-tex-speech, voice recording, or visual aids, students of all capabilities can be involved in classroom activities and the learning process.
Benefits of Teaching with Technology
Technology's impact on education is visible not only to students but to educators as well. Teachers can coordinate with students and colleagues, ease their work with the help of extra resources, and create a convenient and interactive environment for a pleasant learning process. Let’s shed light on how to incorporate all technological advances in practice and what other benefits are available for teachers.
Accessibility of Information
Technology in teaching works in the same way as with students, and tutors have full access to information and additional sources and can use them to improve their working process, in particular:
- Educators can use helpful information from the Internet or some applications to organize their lesson plans.
- Teachers can improve their skills on how to explain complex topics by reading extra sources or passing courses online.
- It is possible to share experiences with other teachers and collaborate to create the most effective learning process.
- Tutors can learn how to use technology in the classroom to engage more students in an active discussion.
With all these things, teaching tends to be more simple and flexible, as well as save much time for preparation.
Monitoring the Education Process Is Easier
By using technology in the classroom, teachers have the opportunity to reduce the amount of paperwork and focus on teaching and presenting material for students.
- Thanks to the implementation of different online applications and quizzes that check results automatically, teachers don’t need to spend much time on this.
- Tutors have the opportunity to monitor the success of each student most conveniently, thanks to classroom websites, where all the information is in one place.
- Also, with the help of digital tools, it is easier to track the attendance of students or the readiness of some tasks, including projects and coursework.
- Finally, teachers can add some corrections while students deal with their tasks in real time.
Such conveniences allow teachers to spend more time with students and have more control and information about their progress with little effort.
Better Communication With Students
The most critical impact of technology on education is the possibility for teachers to get closer contact and collaboration with students. Teachers can be active in classroom chats or some discussions outside of it. With the help of virtual meetings and online chats, tutors can stimulate students to collaborate on projects and assignments as technology fills the gaps in communication. It helps all the participants to improve their skills, which will be valuable in further communication at work. Moreover, it’s a great start for tutors and students to build a sense of belonging to a community, even if there is a mixed class with students from around the globe.
A Variety of Educational Tools
Educators need to implement technology in classrooms to engage students and diversify the learning process. There is a wide variety of technology in the classroom examples, so teachers can choose the most convenient and effective tools to meet their needs. Several examples are below:
- Pico projector. These tiny tools are beneficial for showing video materials, presentations, or other media. What is a pico projector's main benefit? Lots of them, including the best pico projectors and regular ones, are portable, compact, and adjustable to any device, including a computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.
- Digital classroom calendars. These tools are especially effective in the organization of the learning process, as teachers can indicate important news and dates or even homework for the next lesson.
- Gamified learning. It may be helpful for younger students, as games are more interesting than passive listening. The expectation of an award is also one of the stimuli to pass the game correctly.
- Multimedia lessons. Recorded lectures, podcasts, or take-home lessons are especially helpful, as students can review materials and work with lessons at their own pace.
This is only a short list of examples of technology in the classroom, but in fact, there are dozens of various tools that help improve the learning process significantly.
Will Technology in Education Replace Traditional Learning?
It is not surprising that technology's impact on education changed the situation significantly, and in-person teaching in classrooms isn’t as popular, though still, it is a background for the educational system. Modern students have full access to information and educational sources, and they want to have flexibility in the learning process. Fortunately, technology provides all these benefits.
When it comes to the improvement of teaching with technology, there is no doubt that the modern way of presenting the learning material is more effective. It is obvious that all the tools, starting from led pico projectors to multimedia-creating applications, are great assistants for tutors to engage students in the learning process. So there is no way back to solid in-person classes, but blended learning may be used as a new educational approach to achieve subject mastery in all possible ways.
Final Thoughts
To summarize, the introduction of technology in education is inevitable, as the development of technology in the world has no limits. This means that the education system must also boost resources to engage students in learning. Generally, using technology in the classroom has a positive influence on students’ performance. Technology can be no longer a threat but a great chance to gain better learning outcomes for all participants.
