Considered as the pillar upon which industrialization, economy, sociology, and sciences thrive in the 21st century, technology drives civilization across the world.
This digital age has facilitated the seamless exchange of resources and ideas and led to the rise global village. In this article, we will discuss the impacts of modern technology on education. Read through for more information.
Benefits of modern technology in education.
The application of technology in learning institution definitely have a lot of advantages. Check the following section for the common benefits of technology in education.
1. Builds a more engaging learning environment
The use of technology can encourage learners to participate actively in their studies. While some students can find it intimidating talking in front of their fellows, online learning systems provide them with an alternative that fits their needs.
Digital learning also improves engagement between students. Some can find it shameful to ask for help from their fellows in the physical classroom system; technology might be an easier alternative for them.
2. Integrates different learning methods
Each student has a unique way of learning, and there cannot be two identical learners. It is this reason that makes it hard for teachers to create a lesson that fits the needs of all their students.
However, with the use of technology, this can be achieved with a lot of ease. Some learners thrive by hearing, thus use podcasts and videos in the classroom, some prefer images to help them visualize what they learn, while some understand better on their own, so implement online learning.
Simply put, technology helps teachers and trainers become creative and reach every students’ learning needs and preferences.
3. Boosts collaboration
In recent years, teachers have witnessed increased collaboration between them and their students anytime they incorporate technology in the classes.
Unlike classroom-based learning, where learners wait for teachers to dispense information, with most of them not retained, technology-based learning provides batter collaboration between learners, with a good percentage of information retention.
4. Improves students’ motivation towards learning
When we engage in things we enjoy, we do it more and to perfection. Using technology in classrooms provides entertaining and engaging learning methods that make learners hooked.
Furthermore, millennials are raised in the digital era and are used to technology, so they don’t have issues with it. By using technology, active students are engaged with the lessons, thus encouraging the less active ones to find what interests them.
Through these collaborative efforts, students’ motivation towards learning is increased, leading to increased performance.
5. Makes self-paced learning easier and possible
Learning institutions continue to place tight schedules for students to follow. But with the introduction of technology in classrooms, that rigidity is broken. A Digital learning system allows students to learn at a pace fitting them.
Self-learning has allowed most people across the globe to get a chance to acquire knowledge. It is through online learning that people who don’t have enough resources and time get their certifications, such as online degrees and MBA programs.
Drawbacks of modern technology to education
Despite the important benefits of technology in education, we can’t deny that there are disadvantages too. Find the few drawbacks of modern technology discussed in the section below.
a. High chances of students losing interest in learning.
Since most of the learning and training resources are web-based, learners might develop bad study habits and build a lazy attitude for learning.
Some students may stop seeing the need to go to school given that they can access everything from the internet. After all, where is the need to attend lessons when you can google everything?
b. Can reduce the value of online learning.
While there is no research pointing at how personal engagement can affect students’ performance, some data indicates that students admitted to online classes have high chances of falling or getting lower grades than their peers enrolled in a physical classroom.
This can be attributed to a lack of teacher-student interaction in an online setup. Or lack of adequate supervision can enable learners to engage in other online activities instead of learning.
c. Learners can become vulnerable to technological pitfalls.
As much as it is a valuable device, a computer can cause a lot of problems. This is true especially for learners without technical skills to solve any arising issues with their devices.
Cyber breaches and computer malfunctions can lead to students losing their course works and assignments and hinder their learning progress.
Conclusion
Modern technology has many benefits to the education sector, such as improved learner engagement, motivation towards learning, increased teacher-student interaction, and making self-paced learning easier. These factors collectively lead to students’ success in their quest for knowledge.
However, there are a few drawbacks with technology in education that cannot be assumed, like, the development of laziness towards learning, lack of supervision, and technology pitfalls.
