In the time of a global pandemic, E-learning has become an extremely useful tool for education. Screens on digital devices have now replaced the traditional classroom. New technologies have emerged as a refuge for students in these unprecedented times, and here we will explore how technology has changed education.
Technology has helped to change education and the learning process. Education technology is a powerful tool for students. Let’s have a look into the ways how technology has changed education.
How Technology Has Changed Education In The Recent Years
E-Learning has been an emerging phenomenon in recent years. The growing use of technology has definitely impacted education. In the previous decades, books, paper, and pen were the primary components of education.
But now, new features have been added such as internet connection, mobile devices, YouTube videos, pdf book, etc. Here is the journey of how technology has changed education:
1) Traditional Education
Traditional education is the learning inside the classroom of schools, colleges, or any other educational institution. It is a learning process with a fixed class time, and the students sit in a physical classroom.
In this form of learning, the teachers interact with students face-to-face. In traditional learning, the book was the primary source of learning. Here the student has to depend on their interaction with the teacher in order to learn.
2) Blended Learning
It is not that E-learning was not present in the pre-pandemic world. Previously, there were some colleges that provided courses in innovative methods such as hybrid learning. The hybrid mode consisted of a blended mode of learning, which included both online and face-to-face learning.
Distance learning courses were using E-learning to some extent. Though this mode of learning was earlier mostly restricted to a few countries. In the blended mode, students learn by using both these facilities. Some of the universities had started to use blended mode even before the pandemic.
The classrooms are no longer limited to books and paper for taking notes. Tablets and laptops are also becoming a component of the classroom. Many classrooms had also started to use smart devices such as computers and smartboards.
3) Online Education
In recent years, people have realized how technologies impact our daily lives, especially in the process of learning. It is miraculous how technology has changed education and the student learning environment. This mode of education includes the use of the internet for learning and problem-solving.
The popularization of computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones have made E-learning a viable option. A huge number of people have smartphones these days. Smartphones have turned out to be a device that can access infinite learning opportunities.
With just a click, the traditional face to face classroom is replaced by a similar kind of classroom on the screen.
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Technology Changed Education: New Ways of Learning
How technology has changed education so rapidly is no less than a revolution in the field of education. It is a Digital Revolution that the world has seen recently. The process of technology changing education involves many new ways of teaching and learning.
Here are some of the new ways in which students learn in the modern education system.
1) Mobile Learning
Mobile learning is a type of learning that can be accessed with the help of a mobile device.
Technology enables forms of mobile learning to operate easily. Mobiles are easy to use and carry anywhere, which makes the process of learning flexible and hassle-free. The past few years have seen a rise in mobile usage all over the globe.
Learning through mobile phones is widely prevalent these days with the increasing popularity of online schooling. The online groups of class can be accessed through mobile devices, using social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and so on.
These groups accessed by mobiles can provide educational and instructional materials easily. The mobile device allows the student to learn anywhere, watch educational videos, view photos of notes, read PDFs, and so on while sitting at home, in a coffee shop, or any other place where the student feels comfortable.
2) The Digital Classroom
Digital classrooms have now become an alternative to other classrooms and have transformed the educational landscape. In the wake of this digital revolution, teachers now have more responsibility to learn about the functioning of digital classrooms.
Both teachers and students have transformed the digital classroom into an environment of productivity and innovative education. The blackboard and chalk of classrooms have now been replaced by laptop and phone screens in many places.
3) Interactive Software
Software has helped in building an interactive environment in digital classrooms. The basic methods of interactivity included the option to e-mail questions. The students could easily mail questions in case of any doubt or query.
But with developed technology, now we have the Talk Live feature in many apps such as Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, etc. It bolsters the interactivity in a classroom. It is also an easier method to solve problems faced by the students while learning.
4) E-Library
E-libraries are one of the most useful tools to gather relevant information. These libraries can be used to read educational material, other novels, and stories, and also to access e-publications. Easy access to E-books is extremely useful in the digital world, especially for students.
Many E-book sites are used for educational purposes, such as Google E-Bookstore, Open Library, Project Gutenberg, BookBub, Kindle, and many more. Some of the college libraries have also been converted to E-Libraries.
5) Virtual Communities
The virtual communities and groups help the students to connect with other students, even those who stay far away or in another country. It also makes the process of group projects and assignments hassle-free.
More students can interact and share their knowledge with the help of these digital communities. Students undertaking the same expedition can share their insights on various topics, which will widen their range of knowledge.
Online Learning Process
How has technology changed education in a positive way? Online learning has undoubtedly helped immensely to transform education for the betterment.
Online learning is believed to be more convenient, comfortable, easily accessible, flexible, and financially viable. It has a great impact and role in the modern education system. Here are some of the benefits of accessing online education :
1) Self-paced learning
Students can study at their own learning pace with the help of the modern education system. While accessing e-learning resources, the students can always go back and check the previous article, video, or pdf. This takes away the pressure of going at the same pace as everyone else.
2) Better access to resources
Earlier, the books and resources had to be accessed physically. But now, all the resources for education can be easily downloaded and can also be read online. Many colleges also have their own websites where resources are uploaded.
Google Classroom, Google Drive, Google Docs, and many other apps help in easily accessing the resources. It is interesting how technology has changed education and the whole process of accessing educational resources.
3) Improve Student Engagement
The students can be engaged in a better manner in the online classes. Innovative methods of teaching are one of the key ways technology has transformed education. New and fun learning methods have been introduced that engage the students in the process of education.
Teachers can now include audio-video material, Online quizzes, Educational Games, Infographics, etc.
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4) Technology can expand classroom boundaries
It is great to witness how technology has changed education and expanded its boundaries. The aim of a student learning something is now not limited to just the books.
Webinars are held to make them aware of the technical skills and learn the skills required to survive in this tech-savvy world. Skill development online courses have played a key role in promoting the idea of skill-based and practical education.
5) Collaborative Learning
With the help of the internet, global interconnectedness has increased. The process of collaborative learning is also being discovered as a way of how technology has changed education. With Google spreadsheets, docs, and slides, students can easily share documents and ideas in a creative manner.
With the formation of groups on social media, students can collaborate and learn by doing group projects. These networks can also help them get involved in workshops, training, and internships that will give them exposure to practical knowledge.
6) Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking is a crucial skill to be learned by the students. It involves the ability to analyze and interpret things in order to make the best decisions and solve problems. Students in the digital world can think in a critical manner and easily share their analysis and ideas by various means.
These means include social media, creating a blog post, or sharing feedback through Google Forms and other such technology.
7) New Educational Opportunities
How has technology changed education and educational opportunities? The new way of digital education has opened up a fresh set of opportunities. Students can now learn a new set of skills as per their interests.
Education has now gone beyond the classrooms. Anyone who has a zeal to learn can explore these new educational opportunities with the help of technology. Some of these new skills include blogging, digital marketing, data analytics, coding, digital graphics, video editing, and many other software.
8) Visual Learning
How has technology changed education to be more visual? The use of audio-visual graphics can be easily used with the help of slideshow presentations in smart classrooms and online classes. Online Education makes the process of teaching more visual and illustrative.
Even YouTube videos have now become a great way to enhance learning. Methods such as animated videos can be extremely helpful for educating young kids, as the visual mode of learning is fun as well as easy to understand.
Education Technology and Its Future
How has technology changed education and promoted the Ed-Tech sector? The tech sector has seen a boom in recent years. Ed-Tech start-ups have played a vital role in popularizing alternative ways of learning.
These are easy-to-use and student-friendly educational technology. The Ed-Tech sector is responsible for some of the innovative ways in which technology has changed education.
Learning Management Systems
Learning Management Systems or LMS is the software that helps to create and deliver the resources for e-learning to the students. LMS is one of the crucial ways technology has changed education. Some of the early examples of LMS are Moodle and Blackboard.
These systems are used to distribute online courses. Most companies use it to manage the online learning programs given to them. It includes the management of the pre-recorded videos of the class lectures and the written resources to study from.
What is Ed-Tech
Ed-Tech is the technology made to improve the teaching process using a variety of hardware and software. Ed-Tech helps teachers to teach in a way that the students can learn at their own pace. It primarily aims to strengthen teacher-led education.
The first boom in the Ed-Tech sector was seen with the introduction of hardware and smart classrooms in the schools. The Ed-Tech sector has played another big role in promoting online courses worldwide.
Ed-Tech Start-Ups
The Massive Online Open Online Courses or MOOCs are one of the well known Ed-Tech initiatives. Ed-Tech startups have grown immensely in the past few years. It is likely to grow even more after the pandemic. Some of the popular Ed-Tech startups are Byju’s, Unacademy, Coursera, and Udemy.
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Educational Games: A fun learning experience
How technology has changed education into a fun activity? A fun learning experience is what every student wishes for, especially the young kids. Technology has developed games for kids which help to keep them engaged and enhance their interest in gaining knowledge.
It is one of the most interesting ways how technology has changed education. It helps the young kids to learn poems, alphabets, and numbers in a fun manner.
Some of the games that help the kids in gaining knowledge are Endless Alphabet, Wordscapes, Prodigy Math, Civilizations AR. The best part about these games is that it is not limited to the kids. It can be played by anyone who wants to learn new things or gain more knowledge.
Future of Ed-Tech
The Ed-Tech sector is likely to grow even further in the coming years. According to economic experts, 2021 to 2028 will be the period of boom in this sector as more and more people are now opting for online education. Technical and vocational education and training have been an imperative way how technology has changed education.
According to UNESCO, there were 74 million technical and vocational education and training learners. Technology-driven education has dominated the markets, and there has been a visible shift to the online mode of education, which is likely to continue.
Conclusion
How technology has changed education? Earlier only a few people knew about the process and opportunities of E-learning. But due to the unprecedented times of the Covid-19 outbreak, there was no option but to explore E-learning to continue the education.
A large number of people are now able to access education using a device and internet connection. How technology has changed education can be clearly witnessed by the growth of online learning.
Last Updated on by Sathi
