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How crucial is the role of technology in education? Let’s look at the most decisive answer to this oft-asked question. One of the biggest casualties of the Covid-19 pandemic was in-person teaching or classroom lessons. Students across the country couldn’t go to school, college or university anymore; and yet, their education couldn’t be put on hold. As such, while the pandemic ravaged the world, it also made it abundantly clear that the use of technology in teaching and learning had become non-negotiable.
Owing to this, online education as a vital part of teaching and learning is not only inevitable but also welcome. Everything from online teaching through mobile phones to blended learning has shown that the use of technology in teaching goes beyond that of a mere tool for documentation and troubleshooting. Incorporating technology into the present curricula serves a crucial purpose. It shows teachers across the board how powerful instructional technology, or the use of technology in the classroom to enhance teaching and learning, can be.
Now that it’s been established that online learning is, in many ways, the future of education, it would help to examine why that’s the case.
The Use Of Technology In Teaching And Learning: Points To Consider
It’s understood that the different types of technology to use in a classroom are just tools for educating learners; they’re a means to an end. The potential of education technology can only be realized when teachers harness it to benefit their students in the best possible ways. Having said that, let’s dive into the reasons why technology is now an important mode of learning in educational institutions.
1. Students Want It
There’s no escaping technology, and students engage with it all the time outside the classroom. As such, it makes sense for technology to play a vital part in their education as well. Hearteningly, there are several tips they can follow to maximize their online learning experience. Students recognize the fact that survival in a post-pandemic business world will require them to be well-versed in technology. Teachers are aware of the challenges posed by this new face of teaching, but also know that student engagement can be boosted with the efficient use of digital learning tools. This, in turn, equips students with the necessary skills for navigating a modern, 21st-century world.
2. Children Learn Better With Technology
Virtual classes—including online teaching through mobile phones and tablets—became the norm during the pandemic. Aside from that, technology became children’s means of recreation, given the restrictions on going outdoors. As such, technology has become the most fundamental mode of learning for them; it’s not only kept them engaged but also helped them develop skills. It’ll be difficult for children to absorb lessons well in the absence of technology.
3. No Limits To Learning
There are varying kinds of technology to use in the classroom to bolster the learning experience for students beyond traditional books. Prominent among these examples of technology in education are augmented reality, robot lessons, virtual classrooms and video interactions. These are technological tools that teachers can draw upon to make lessons more personalized and engaging. The huge changes brought into the learning environment by technology encourage teachers and students to get creative and become more collaborative, thereby fostering teamwork and a sense of community.
4. Paced-Out Lessons
No two students are alike, but the traditional classroom structure often requires all students to work and learn at the same pace. This causes great stress to students who might require more time to fully absorb lessons. This is where the use of technology in the classroom to enhance teaching and learning comes in; it gives students the chance to pause and recap course material and complicated concepts while allowing others to carry on without having to wait. Most importantly, it helps teachers pay closer attention to the needs of their students and adapt to newer modes of teaching.
5. More Resources
Some of the most basic examples of technology in education, such as computers, tablets, and cell phones have greatly widened the scope of teaching resources for educators. They help students learn in different ways beyond the textbook and most certainly increase their learning agility. Online teaching through mobile phones was among the most common methods of imparting education throughout the pandemic. Other important examples of technology in education are interactive whiteboards and podcasts, both of which have been known to significantly boost motivation and participation among students, thereby helping with their grades and productivity.
Concluding Thoughts
The integration of technology in education might have its challenges. But the truth is that technology is fundamentally changing education and transforming the timelines and the ways in which students learn. It’s also giving educators more control over their teaching journeys. Technology is here to stay, and given its tendency to transform rapidly, it’s essential for students and teachers to get used to its application in education.
Most importantly, everyone will encounter technology at every stage of their professional lives. This holds true for teachers as much as it does for students. Harappa’s Inspiring Faculty program is specially designed to aid educators in this regard. Delivering eight crucial outcomes, it enables experienced faculty to keep pace with changing classroom demands. With Thrive Skills such as Improve Engagement and Innovative Teaching, educators will be able to align teaching and learning methods to boost student motivation as well as re-imagine the role of the teacher as an enabler of learning. Under the guidance of an outstanding faculty, educators will be equipped with the skills to listen actively, become a mentor, coach and confidante for students and create an engaging classroom. Most importantly, they’ll learn to embrace technology and innovative hybrid and blended teaching methods to benefit their students. The Inspiring Faculty program is an impactful learning journey for faculty who want to inspire!
