For better or worse, we’re living in a technology-driven world and it has left nothing unreached. Since the internet came to the scene in the ‘80s and ‘90s, it became accessible to average families, and eventually began to fit into our budget with the development of laptops & smartphones even today’s smartwatches are techno-enabled. It’s no wonder in saying that technology has reached so deeply in our lives and it shows no sign slowing down anytime soon.
The advancement of technology over the past few years has changed the face of education as well. From kindergartens to colleges, students are providing more opportunities than ever before to embrace technology and harness the latest technology to enhance their learning potential. Modern students have more opportunities to leverage technology to expand their learning capacity, solve their queries, and reach further into the world than ever before.
Other than expanded access to information, emerging technology has settled some major changes in the education sector. With the advantages of online classes, the way children are taught and the way they are interacting with teachers have changed too. Distance education, open learning has entirely changed now, online classes have erased the gap between regular and distance classes. Lots of online education portals, blogs, articles, YouTube, other applications are providing free education to everyone and to every corner of the planet. Besides simplifying the idea of educating everyone, technology has removed some social barriers as well, such as untouchability, casteism, and classism. Here’s more about how evolving technology has changed the face of education.
Impacts of Technology on Education
In many segments, education has not changed at all. Technology has impacted nearly every factor but the foundational system is still there in place. As time moves, it’s obvious to see these changes and this is how knowledge passes to the next generation. Back in the days when there was limited access to the internet, computers, and other gadgets, books used to serve as the most frequent educational tool. However, the concept has changed and books have been shrunk to our mobile or tab screen. With the advancement of high-end technology, it is a must to introduce modern students as they have to represent the next generation and this is how education will be serving in the 22nd century. Educational institutes will be using smart technologies to conduct debates and projects, exams will be conducted online.
While many of these true models exist today, education is more likely to be improved with the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR). So, how has technology transformed education today? We’ll discuss this in this blog and have mentioned some advantages that modern technology has provided to today’s education system.
1- Greater Accessibility
The education system has transformed over the years, which is now reflected in the relationship between teachers & students. It has cut down the extreme need to be physically present in the same location. Thanks to ever-improving internet and technology, which enables students for quick and convenient communication in remote areas at the click of a button, this is no longer an obstacle in education.
How has technology changed the way of learning? In the sphere of higher education, it has introduced the possibility of online degrees. Renowned education institutes are now offering some of their courses online to help students. Meanwhile, some schools have started operating the entire system online. Technology has no wings, hence it can fly anywhere. Beyond higher education, technology is now reflecting in primary and secondary schools as well, the same opens gate for cyber-schooling a.k.a online-schooling. It allows students to complete their work from home at their comfort and convenience.
2- Instant Access to Mass Information
One of the most positive ways the technology has changed the face of education is by enabling students to access mass information in one click online. The ocean of knowledge is just a few clicks away, people can plunge into it and get any kind of information they’ve been looking for. From the future to the events that took place before Christ, the internet is flooded with thousands of information-rich articles about one topic.
Neither students nor teachers can stay connected forever, therefore the internet has been serving as alternative teachers for nearly everyone. Nowadays, it has become so common to access smartphones for any information and it’s easily accessible as well.
The far-reaching benefit of techno-enabled education systems that comes out is its accessibility, which makes it easier for anyone to learn even the students from remote areas. Imagine if you were writing an article on the financial crisis of Italy or the economic impact of Indo-China conflict, of course, you cannot run your eyes over thousands of books in a span of 1-2 days but search engines can. With the advancement of high-end technology and artificial intelligence, Google and other search engines can resolve your queries by conducting thousands of search results in just a second. So, you would rather choose to open your laptop than visiting the nearest library to check out a stack of books.
3- Better Flexibility
Flexibility in education was highly required and the internet has made it possible. The days are gone when being late means punishment or mass tortures, online classes have provided students with the flexibility to attend classes at any time from anywhere. However, it is impossible to be available at a specific time due to family responsibilities and other works. Today, the study material is available online and students are allowed to study and complete their assignments or work whenever their schedule permits.
With the flexibility & accessibility, technology has opened the doors of education to many people who were either unable to get admission or deprived of the delights of traditional schools. Someone working full-time, engaged in family responsibilities, and other things can now continue education with their responsibilities. Students now have more freedom than ever before.
4- Online Assessment
Most renowned educational institutes now have digitized their assessment process. Students now can take the test online from anywhere and the result will be declared immediately after completion of the exam. This is more beneficial for the students taking a distance course, as they can attempt an exam at their own place.
5- Artificial Intelligence Makes it Better & Efficient
It has been seen that grading consumes more time that could be used in crafting study materials, improving teacher and student communication. While we cannot assume artificial intelligence to replace human intelligence, it’s possible to save more time by automating grading for Multiple choice Questions (MCQ) and to fill in the blanks. Artificial intelligence has improved our lives so much and now it moves towards education, which could be a breakthrough in the traditional education system.
6- A Boon to Students with Special Needs
Special children do not respond to their traditional classroom environment because they don’t feel connected. Thanks to several mobile applications in the market, providing special students with customized content that they need. The Zero Rejection Policy has increased the ratio of disabled bodies in institutes and technology is serving as a boon for all special children with special needs. With the advent of online classes, students with special needs can attend classes from home without being in physical contact with students. However, it was tough for special students studying among normal students as they used to be harassed, but with increased ratio, it’s no longer in existence.
Pros and Cons of Technology in Education
Pros: With the help of online study materials, a student can access lectures at any time. It helps students recognize their potential to learn every topic effectively. Online courses have bridged the gap between regular and distance students as anyone can learn from anywhere. The biggest benefit that this technological advancement has rendered is accessible to remote students to learn. Online classes have extended the scope of learning and more and more students are accessing virtual classrooms.
Cons: For the worse, technology is somewhere affecting our lifestyle as well. With easy access to the internet on laptops and smartphones, students are distracting. Also, it is hard for the faculty to closely monitor all the students as they stay behind the screens. Also, the internet is open for everyone to share their knowledge, therefore, there is no guideline to determine which websites are reliable and offer accurate information. Also, this gap between teachers and students has made it tough. Due to less interaction, students failed to satisfy their curiosity.
These are lots of changes that technology has made to modern education. Other than these pros & cons and factors, future-proof technology has transformed the face of education. We’ll discuss this later, as of now, it is enough to give you an insight into how technology has impacted our education.