Technologies influencing education sector globally

Technology plays a large role in many aspects of day-to-day life, and education is no different. The new technologies rapidly changing the way students learn and instructors teach are explored by Silky Jain, Executive Director, Tula’s Institute, for Elets News Network (ENN).

Silky Jain, Executive Director, Tula’s Institute
Silky Jain, Executive Director, Tula’s Institute

With today’s tech-savvy generation the key is using technology for learning as it has impacted every facet of daily lives over the last few years – from personal and business interactions to our school systems and the ways in which we learn something new every day. On the other hand, Education has also evolved greatly from its earlier tropes of rote learning to the present day innovative procedures to leave a lingering impact on young minds and technology has a great role to play, here.  Seeing how fast technology has evolved over the last decade, mankind is yet to see the best of it.

Currently, novelties which are used in improving and facilitating learning can be found in abundance. One can safely say that we have embraced technology in education where it is used for both teaching and learning, with the main purpose remaining in changing how teachers and students gather, access, analyse, present and transmit information.

The World Economic Forum reports that by 2020 there will be more than 1.5 million new digital jobs globally. In a world characterised by technologies that blur the lines between digital, physical and biological, education needs to evolve rapidly to meet the demands for a new type of knowledge worker. Technology-driven education has evolved rapidly and here are a few ways how technology is changing education:

Extension beyond Classroom

Delivering deeper engagement that goes beyond traditional textbook, the incorporation of e-books has led to learning/education beyond the classrooms. This enhances the connection between student and education at any time. In today’s era, technology has revolutionized the learning process and has taken it beyond classrooms.

Learning through AR/VR

Virtual reality inside classroom adds an unprecedented context in learning owing to the visual element. Augmented reality, which overlays digital content including hologram images onto a user’s view, allows the user to ‘maintain control’ of their environment by seeing the real world around them on a virtual scale. This would help in elevating the lessons to a more comprehensive and hands-on level. Educators are using this tool to harbour augmented analytical thinking, to go through various upheavals of life.

Teaching through Smart Devices

Smart devices such as tablets and smartphones have made significant growth as they continue to gain in popularity in the form of learning tools for students and educators. Offering easy accessibility, smart devices are also expected to play a significant role in bridging the education inequalities, through integrated learning as chalkboards become redundant.

Gamification and Coding

Computer games are continuing to reinvent themselves as credible education tools, as educators are opening up their eyes to the importance of this medium. Popular games like Minecraft are being utilized as aid, teaching creativity, collaboration and problem-solving. This educational approach to motivate students, bringing game design and elements into the learning environment, has gathered traction as is here to stay. Learning coding skills helps develop critical-thinking skills and problem-solving processes, by breaking down big challenges into smaller and more manageable tasks.

As the curriculum is rapidly inculcating innovation with the onset of technology, one can expect an increased efficiency and effectiveness on both, teachers and students. Technology is leading to a prompt pedagogical change while addressing issues that affect learning, teaching and social functionalities. Technology can, therefore, be seen as a tool alongside a catalyst for change. Students should embrace technology for their benefit and teachers should be open to introducing it into the classroom to innovate their teaching practices.

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