How Important Is Technology in Education? Benefits, Challenges, and Impact on Students
Many of today’s high-demand jobs were created in the last decade, according to the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). As advances in technology drive globalization and digital transformation, teachers can help students acquire the necessary skills to succeed in the careers of the future.
How important is technology in education? The COVID-19 pandemic is quickly demonstrating why online education should be a vital part of teaching and learning. By integrating technology into existing curricula, as opposed to using it solely as a crisis-management tool, teachers can harness online learning as a powerful educational tool.
The effective use of digital learning tools in classrooms can increase student engagement, help teachers improve their lesson plans, and facilitate personalized learning. It also helps students build essential 21st-century skills.
Virtual classrooms, video, augmented reality (AR), robots, and other technology tools can not only make class more lively, they can also create more inclusive learning environments that foster collaboration and inquisitiveness and enable teachers to collect data on student performance.
Still, it’s important to note that technology is a tool used in education and not an end in itself. The promise of educational technology lies in what educators do with it and how it is used to best support their students’ needs.
Educational Technology Challenges
BuiltIn reports that 92 percent of teachers understand the impact of technology in education. According to Project Tomorrow, 59 percent of middle school students say digital educational tools have helped them with their grades and test scores. These tools have become so popular that the educational technology market is projected to expand to $342 billion by 2025, according to the World Economic Forum.
However, educational technology has its challenges, particularly when it comes to implementation and use. For example, despite growing interest in the use of AR, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technology, less than 10 percent of schools report having these tools in their classrooms, according to Project Tomorrow. Additional concerns include excessive screen time, the effectiveness of teachers using the technology, and worries about technology equity.
Prominently rising from the COVID-19 crisis is the issue of content. Educators need to be able to develop and weigh in on online educational content, especially to encourage students to consider a topic from different perspectives. The urgent actions taken during this crisis did not provide sufficient time for this. Access is an added concern — for example, not every school district has resources to provide students with a laptop, and internet connectivity can be unreliable in homes.
Additionally, while some students thrive in online education settings, others lag for various factors, including support resources. For example, a student who already struggled in face-to-face environments may struggle even more in the current situation. These students may have relied on resources that they no longer have in their homes.
Still, most students typically demonstrate confidence in using online education when they have the resources, as studies have suggested. However, online education may pose challenges for teachers, especially in places where it has not been the norm.
Despite the challenges and concerns, it’s important to note the benefits of technology in education, including increased collaboration and communication, improved quality of education, and engaging lessons that help spark imagination and a search for knowledge in students.
The Benefits of Technology in Education
Teachers want to improve student performance, and technology can help them accomplish this aim. To mitigate the challenges, administrators should help teachers gain the competencies needed to enhance learning for students through technology. Additionally, technology in the classroom should make teachers’ jobs easier without adding extra time to their day.
Technology provides students with easy-to-access information, accelerated learning, and fun opportunities to practice what they learn. It enables students to explore new subjects and deepen their understanding of difficult concepts, particularly in STEM. Through the use of technology inside and outside the classroom, students can gain 21st-century technical skills necessary for future occupations.
Still, children learn more effectively with direction. The World Economic Forum reports that while technology can help young students learn and acquire knowledge through play, for example, evidence suggests that learning is more effective through guidance from an adult, such as a teacher.
Leaders and administrators should take stock of where their faculty are in terms of their understanding of online spaces. From lessons learned during this disruptive time, they can implement solutions now for the future. For example, administrators could give teachers a week or two to think carefully about how to teach courses not previously online. In addition to an exploration of solutions, flexibility during these trying times is of paramount importance.
Below are examples of how important technology is in education and the benefits it offers to students and teachers.
Increased Collaboration and Communication
Educational technology can foster collaboration. Not only can teachers engage with students during lessons, but students can also communicate with each other. Through online lessons and learning games, students get to work together to solve problems. In collaborative activities, students can share their thoughts and ideas and support each other. At the same time, technology enables one-on-one interaction with teachers. Students can ask classroom-related questions and seek additional help on difficult-to-understand subject matter. At home, students can upload their homework, and teachers can access and view completed assignments using their laptops.
Personalized Learning Opportunities
Technology allows 24/7 access to educational resources. Classes can take place entirely online via the use of a laptop or mobile device. Hybrid versions of learning combine the use of technology from anywhere with regular in-person classroom sessions. In both scenarios, the use of technology to tailor learning plans for each student is possible. Teachers can create lessons based on student interests and strengths. An added benefit is that students can learn at their own pace. When they need to review class material to get a better understanding of essential concepts, students can review videos in the lesson plan. The data generated through these online activities enable teachers to see which students struggled with certain subjects and offer additional assistance and support.
Curiosity Driven by Engaging Content
Through engaging and educational content, teachers can spark inquisitiveness in children and boost their curiosity, which research says has ties to academic success. Curiosity helps students get a better understanding of math and reading concepts. Creating engaging content can involve the use of AR, videos, or podcasts. For example, when submitting assignments, students can include videos or interact with students from across the globe.
Improved Teacher Productivity and Efficiency
Teachers can leverage technology to achieve new levels of productivity, implement useful digital tools to expand learning opportunities for students, and increase student support and engagement. It also enables teachers to improve their instruction methods and personalize learning. Schools can benefit from technology by reducing the costs of physical instructional materials, enhancing educational program efficiency, and making the best use of teacher time.
Become a Leader in Enriching Classrooms through Technology
Educators unfamiliar with some of the technology used in education may not have been exposed to the tools as they prepared for their careers or as part of their professional development. Teachers looking to make the transition and acquire the skills to incorporate technology in education can take advantage of learning opportunities to advance their competencies. For individuals looking to help transform the education system through technology, American University’s School of Education online offers a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Master of Arts in Education Policy and Leadership to prepare educators with essential tools to become leaders. Courses such as Education Program and Policy Implementation and Teaching Science in Elementary School equip graduate students with critical competencies to incorporate technology into educational settings effectively.
Learn more about American University’s School of Education online and its master’s degree programs.
Virtual Reality in Education: Benefits, Tools, and Resources
Data-Driven Decision Making in Education: 11 Tips for Teachers & Administration
Helping Girls Succeed in STEM
BuiltIn, “Edtech 101”
EdTech, “Teaching Teachers to Put Tech Tools to Work”
International Society for Technology in Education, “Preparing Students for Jobs That Don’t Exist”
The Journal, “How Teachers Use Technology to Enrich Learning Experiences”
Pediatric Research, “Early Childhood Curiosity and Kindergarten Reading and Math Academic Achievement”
Project Tomorrow, “Digital Learning: Peril or Promise for Our K-12 Students”
World Economic Forum, “The Future of Jobs Report 2018”
World Economic Forum, “Learning through Play: How Schools Can Educate Students through Technology”
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What is Educational Technology and Why is it Important?
What is Educational Technology?
Educational Technology is the field of study that investigates the process of analyzing, designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating the instructional environment, learning materials, learners, and the learning process in order to improve teaching and learning.
Why is Educational Technology in Education Important?
Educational technology in education is important because it helps today’s teachers to integrate new technologies and tools into their classroom. Teachers are able to upgrade and improve the learner-centeredness of their classroom. It enables teachers to engage their students in unique, innovative, and equitable ways. Teachers are also able to expand their network and connect with other teachers and educators nationally and globally.
What can I do with a Master’s in Educational Technology degree?
Many teachers pursue a Master’s degree in Educational Technology because they want to improve their use of educational technology—they want to learn how to more effectively integrate the use of 1:1 devices, or how to teach in a hybrid or fully online setting, or how to improve student engagement and achievement with technology. Not only do they learn all of these skills and more, they also learn how to integrate research-supported strategies to improve their teaching and how to coach their peers to do the same.
Graduates of a Master’s in Educational Technology degree have gone on to become:
- National Board-Certified Teachers
- School Administrators
- Technology Facilitators and Coordinators
- Personnel at Ed Tech Start Ups
- Instructional Designers (both within and outside of education)
- Online preK-12 Teachers
- STEM Teachers and Coordinators
- Professional Learning Leaders and Liaisons
- Curriculum Developers
Here are some of the recent promotions that 2020 graduates of Loyola University Maryland’s Master’s in Educational Technology program have accepted:
- Technology Teacher and Musician Joanna Edwards accepted a new position as Technology Teacher at Elizabeth Seton High School.
- With her MEd in Educational Technology, Julia Goffredi started a new position as Coordinator of Educational Technology at Notre Dame Preparatory School.
- Michele Baskin recently accepted a position at Great Minds to be a Digital Curriculum Developer on their PhD Science program.
What are the Top 5 Advantages of Loyola’s Educational Technology Program?
- Create engaging and transformative online instruction
- Learn multimedia design for the classroom
- Become a technology leader in your school
- Understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of technology, and how to address both in the classroom.
- Active professional networking with other teachers and educators nationally and globally.
Learn more about Loyola University Maryland’s fully online M.Ed. in Educational Technology program.
Home — Essay Samples — Information Science and Technology — Technology in Education — The Role of Technology in Modern Education
The Role of Technology in Modern Education
- Categories: Education Goals Technology in Education
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Published: Jun 13, 2024
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Table of contents
Introduction, body paragraph 1: the benefits of technology in education, body paragraph 2: enhancing engagement and collaboration, body paragraph 3: overcoming challenges in technological integration, body paragraph 4: the future of technology in education.
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Technology in Education: An Overview
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Technology is everywhere in education: Public schools in the United States now provide at least one computer for every five students. They spend more than $3 billion per year on digital content. Led by the federal government, the country is in the midst of a massive effort to make affordable high-speed Internet and free online teaching resources available to even the most rural and remote schools. And in 2015-16, for the first time, more state standardized tests for the elementary and middle grades will be administered via technology than by paper and pencil.
To keep up with what’s changing (and what isn’t), observers must know where to look.
There’s the booming ed-tech industry, with corporate titans and small startups alike vying for a slice of an $8 billion-plus yearly market for hardware and software. Much attention is also paid to the “early adopters”—those districts, schools, and teachers who are making the most ingenious and effective uses of the new tools at their disposal.
But a significant body of research has also made clear that most teachers have been slow to transform the ways they teach, despite the influx of new technology into their classrooms. There remains limited evidence to show that technology and online learning are improving learning outcomes for most students. And academics and parents alike have expressed concerns about digital distractions, ways in which unequal access to and use of technology might widen achievement gaps, and more.
State and federal lawmakers, meanwhile, have wrestled in recent years with the reality that new technologies also present new challenges. The rise of “big data,” for example, has led to new concerns about how schools can keep sensitive student information private and secure.
What follows is an overview of the big trends, opportunities, and concerns associated with classroom technology. Links to additional resources are included in each section for those who would like to dig deeper.
What Is Personalized Learning?
Many in the ed-tech field see new technologies as powerful tools to help schools meet the needs of ever-more-diverse student populations. The idea is that digital devices, software, and learning platforms offer a once-unimaginable array of options for tailoring education to each individual student’s academic strengths and weaknesses, interests and motivations, personal preferences, and optimal pace of learning.
In recent years, a group of organizations including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, and EDUCAUSE have crafted a definition of “personalized learning” that rests on four pillars:
- Each student should have a “learner profile” that documents his or her strengths, weaknesses, preferences, and goals;
- Each student should pursue an individualized learning path that encourages him or her to set and manage personal academic goals;
- Students should follow a “competency-based progression” that focuses on their ability to demonstrate mastery of a topic, rather than seat time; and,
- Students’ learning environments should be flexible and structured in ways that support their individual goals.
How does technology support that vision?
In many schools, students are given district-owned computing devices or allowed to bring their own devices from home. The idea is that this allows for “24-7” learning at the time and location of the student’s choosing.
Learning management systems, student information systems, and other software are also used to distribute assignments, manage schedules and communications, and track student progress.
And educational software and applications have grown more “adaptive,” relying on technology and algorithms to determine not only what a student knows, but what his or her learning process is, and even his or her emotional state.
For all the technological progress, though, implementation remains a major challenge. Schools and educators across the country continue to wrestle with the changing role of teachers, how to balance flexible and “personalized” models with the state and federal accountability requirements they still must meet, and the deeper cultural challenge of changing educators’ long-standing habits and routines.
Despite the massive investments that many school systems are making, the evidence that digital personalized learning can improve student outcomes or narrow achievement gaps at scale remains scattered, at best.
Additional resources:
- Taking Stock of Personalized Learning (Education Week special report)
- A Working Definition of Personalized Learning
- Why Ed Tech Is Not Transforming How Teachers Teach
What Is 1-to-1 Computing?
Increasingly, schools are moving to provide students with their own laptop computer, netbook, or digital tablet. Schools purchased more than 23 million devices for classroom use in 2013 and 2014 alone. In recent years, iPads and then Chromebooks (inexpensive Web-based laptops) have emerged as the devices of choice for many schools.
Video: Creating a Digital Culture
The two biggest factors spurring the rise in 1-to-1 student computing have been new mandates that state standardized tests be delivered online and the widespread adoption of the Common Core State Standards.
Generally, the hope is that putting devices in the hands of students will help with some or all of the following goals:
- Allowing teachers and software to deliver more personalized content and lessons to students, while allowing students to learn at their own pace and ability level;
- Helping students to become technologically skilled and literate and thus better prepared for modern workplaces;
- Empowering students to do more complex and creative work by allowing them to use digital and online applications and tools;
- Improving the administration and management of schools and classrooms by making it easier to gather information on what students know and have done;
- Improving communications among students, teachers, and parents.
Despite the potential benefits, however, many districts have run into trouble when attempting to implement 1-to-1 computing initiatives. Paying for the devices can be a challenge, especially as the strategy of issuing long-term bonds for short-term technology purchases has come into question. Many districts have also run into problems with infrastructure (not enough bandwidth to support all students accessing the Internet at the same time) and deployment (poor planning in distributing and managing thousands of devices.)
The most significant problem for schools trying to go 1-to-1, though, has been a lack of educational vision. Without a clear picture of how teaching and learning is expected to change, experts say, going 1-to-1 often amounts to a “spray and pray” approach of distributing many devices and hoping for the best.
Some critics of educational technology also point to a recent study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which found that countries where 15-year old students use computers most in the classroom scored the worst on international reading and math tests.
- Learn More About 1-to-1 Computing
- Hard Lessons Learned in Ambitious L.A. iPad Initiative
- Chromebooks Gaining Popularity in School Districts
What Is Blended Learning?
In its simplest terms, blended learning combines traditional, teacher-to-student lessons with technology-based instruction.
Many schools and districts use a “rotation” model, which is often viewed as an effective means of providing students with more personalized instruction and smaller group experiences. In some cases, saving money (through larger overall class sizes, for example) is also a goal. The basic premise involves students rotating between online and in-person stations for different parts of the day. There are many versions of this approach, however: Do students stay in the classroom or go to a computer lab?
Does online instruction cover core content, or is it primarily for remediation? Are all students doing the same thing online, or do different students have different software and learning experiences?
Video: At Blended Learning School, Students on Flexible Schedules
One big trend for schools involves trying to make sure that what happens online is connected with what happens during face-to-face interactions with teachers. That could involve giving teachers a say in selecting the software that students use, for example, or making a concerted effort to ensure online programs provide teachers with data that is useful in making timely instructional decisions.
Another trend involves boosting students’ access to the Internet outside of school. Robust blended learning programs involve “anytime, anywhere” access to learning content for students—a major challenge in many communities.
Perhaps the biggest hurdle confronting educators interested in blended learning, though, is the lack of a solid research base. As of now, there is still no definitive evidence that blended learning works (or doesn’t.) While some studies have found encouraging results with specific programs or under certain circumstances, the question of whether blended learning positively impacts student learning still has a mostly unsatisfactory answer: “It depends.”
- Blended Learning: Breaking Down Barriers (Education Week special report)
- Blended Learning Research: The 7 Studies You Need to Know
- Learn More About Blended Learning
What Is the Status of Tech Infrastructure and the E-Rate?
The promise of technology in the classroom is almost entirely dependent on reliable infrastructure. But in many parts of the country, schools still struggle to get affordable access to high-speed Internet and/or robust wireless connectivity.
A typical school district network involves multiple components. In 2014, the Federal Communications Commission established connectivity targets for some of the pieces:
- A connection to the broader Internet provided by an outside service provider to the district office (or another central district hub). Target: 100 megabits per second per 1,000 students in the short-term, and 1 Gigabit per second per 1,000 students in the long-term.
- A “Wide Area Network” that provides network connections between the district’s central hub and all of its campuses, office buildings, and other facilities. Target: Connections capable of delivering 10 Gigabits per second per 1,000 students.
- “Local Area Networks” that provide connections within a school, including the equipment necessary to provide Wi-Fi service inside classrooms. Target: The FCC recommended a survey to determine a suitable measure. Many school-technology advocates call for internal connections that support 1-to-1 computing.
To support schools (and libraries) in building and paying for these networks, the FCC in 1996 established a program known as the E-rate. Fees on consumers’ phone bills fund the program, which has paid out more than $30 billion since its inception.
In 2014, the commission overhauled the E-rate, raising the program’s annual spending cap from $2.4 billion to $3.9 billion and prioritizing support for broadband service and wireless networks. The changes were already being felt as of Fall 2015; after steadily declining for years, the number of schools and libraries applying for E-rate funds for wireless network equipment skyrocketed, with nearly all of the applicants expected to receive a portion of the $1.6 billion in overall wireless-related requests.
As part of the E-rate overhaul, the FCC also approved a series of regulatory changes aimed at leveling the playing field for rural and remote schools, which often face two big struggles: accessing the fiber-optic cables that experts say are essential to meeting the FCC’s long-term goals, and finding affordable rates.
Infrastructure in some contexts can also be taken to include learning devices, digital content, and the policies and guidelines that govern how they are expected to be used in schools (such as “responsible use policies” and “digital citizenship” programs aimed to ensure that students and staff are using technology appropriately and in support of learning goals.)
Another big—and often overlooked—aspect of infrastructure is what’s known as interoperability. Essentially, the term refers to common standards and protocols for formatting and handling data so that information can be shared between software programs. A number of frameworks outline data interoperability standards for different purposes. Many hope to see the field settle on common standards in the coming years.
Additional Resources:
- The Typical School Network (EducationSuperHighway)
- The E-rate Overhaul in 4 Easy Charts
- Reversing a Raw Deal: Rural Schools Still Struggle to Access Affordable High Speed Internet (Education Week special series)
How Is Online Testing Evolving?
The biggest development on this front has been states’ adoption of online exams aligned with the Common Core State Standards. During the 2014-15 school year, 10 states (plus the District of Columbia) used exams from the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC), and 18 states used exams from the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, all of which were delivered primarily online. Many of the other states also used online assessments.
The 2015-16 school year will be the first in which more state-required summative assessments in U.S. middle and elementary schools will be delivered via technology rather than paper and pencil, according to a recent analysis by EdTech Strategies, an educational technology consulting firm.
Beyond meeting legislative mandates, perceived benefits include cost savings, ease of administration and analysis, and the potential to employ complex performance tasks.
But some states—including Florida, Minnesota, Montana, and Wisconsin—have experienced big problems with online tests, ranging from cyber attacks to log-in problems to technical errors. And there is growing evidence that students who take the paper-and-pencil version of some important tests perform better than peers who take the same exams online, at least in the short term.
Nevertheless, it appears likely that online testing will continue to grow—and not just for state summative assessments. The U.S. Department of Education, for example, is among those pushing for a greater use of technologically enhanced formative assessments that can be used to diagnose students’ abilities in close to real time. In the department’s 2016 National Education Technology Plan, for example, it calls for states and districts to “design, develop, and implement learning dashboards, response systems, and communication pathways that give students, educators, families, and other stakeholders timely and actionable feedback about student learning to improve achievement and instructional practices.”
- PARCC Scores Lower for Students Who Took Exams on Computers
- Map: The National K-12 Testing Landscape
- Pencils Down: The Shift to Online and Computer-Based Testing (EdTech Strategies)
- Online Testing Glitches Causing Distrust in Technology
- U.S. Ed-Tech Plan Calls Attention to ‘Digital-Use Divide’
How Are Digital Materials Used in Classrooms?
Digital instructional content is the largest slice of the (non-hardware) K-12 educational technology market, with annual sales of more then $3 billion. That includes digital lessons in math, English/language arts, and science, as well as “specialty” subjects such as business and fine arts. The market is still dominated by giant publishers such as Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Pearson, who have been scrambling to transition from their print-centric legacy products to more digital offerings.
But newcomers with one-off products or specific areas of expertise have made inroads, and some apps and online services have also gained huge traction inside of schools.
As a result, many schools use a mix of digital resources, touting potential benefits such as greater ability to personalize, higher engagement among students, enhanced ability to keep content updated and current, and greater interactivity and adaptivity (or responsiveness to individual learners).
Still, though, the transition to digital instructional materials is happening slowly, for reasons that range from the financial (for districts that haven’t been able to purchase devices for all students, for example) to the technical (districts that lack the infrastructure to support every student being online together.) Print still accounts for about 70 percent of pre-K-12 instructional materials sales in the United States.
- Learn More About Digital Curriculum
- Digital Content Providers Ride Wave of Rising Revenues
- K-12 Print Needs Persist Despite Digital Growth
What Are Open Educational Resources?
Rather than buying digital instructional content, some states and districts prefer using “open” digital education resources that are licensed in such a way that they can be freely used, revised, and shared. The trend appears likely to accelerate: The U.S. Department of Education, for example, is now formally encouraging districts to move away from textbooks and towards greater adoption of OER.
New York and Utah have led the way in developing open educational resources and encouraging their use by schools. The K-12 OER Collaborative, which includes 12 states and several nonprofit organizations, is working to develop OER materials as well.
Proponents argue that OER offer greater bang for the buck, while also giving students better access to a wider array of digital materials and teachers more flexibility to customize instructional content for individual classrooms and students. Some also believe OER use encourages collaboration among teachers. Concerns from industry and others generally focus on the quality of open materials, as well as the challenges that educators face in sifting through voluminous one-off resources to find the right material for every lesson.
- What is OER? (Creative Commons)
- Districts Put Open Educational Resources to Work
- Calculating the Return on Open Educational Resources
How Are Virtual Education and Distance Learning Doing?
One technology trend that has come under increasing scrutiny involves full-time online schools, particularly cyber charters. About 200,000 students are enrolled in about 200 publicly funded, independently managed online charter schools across 26 states.
But such schools were found to have an “overwhelming negative impact” on student learning in a comprehensive set of studies released in 2015 by a group of research organizations, including Stanford University’s Center for Research on Education Outcomes at Stanford University.
That research did not cover the more than two dozen full-time online schools that are state-run, however, nor did it cover the dozens more that are run by individual school districts. Thousands upon thousands of students who are enrolled in traditional brick-and-mortar schools also take individual courses online. Five states—Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Michigan, and Virginia—now require students to have some online learning to graduate. Other states, such as Utah, have passed laws encouraging such options for students.
For many students, especially those in rural and remote areas, online and distance learning can offer access to courses, subjects, and teachers they might otherwise never be able to find. Such opportunities can also benefit advanced and highly motivated students and those with unusual schedules and travel requirements, and be a useful tool to keep schools running during snow days.
But so far, achieving positive academic outcomes at scale via online learning has proven difficult, and many observers have expressed concerns about the lack of accountability in the sector, especially as relates to for-profit managers of online options.
- Learn More About Remote/Virtual Learning
- Cyber Charters Have ‘Overwhelming Negative Impact’
Education Issues, Explained
How to Cite This Article Herold, B. (2016, February 5). Technology in Education An Overview. Education Week. Retrieved Month Day, Year from https://www.edweek.org/technology/technology-in-education-an-overview/2016/02
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Importance of ICT in Education Essay
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ICT: Introduction
Teachers and their role in education, impact of ict in education, use of ict in education, importance of ict to students, works cited.
Information and Communication Technology is among the most indispensable tools that the business world relies on today. Virtually all businesses, in one way or another, rely on technology tools to carry out operations. Other organizations like learning institutions are not left behind technology-wise. ICT is increasingly being employed in contemporary learning institutions to ease the work of students and teachers.
Among the most commendable successes of employing ICT in learning institutions is e-learning, in which the ICT tools are used to access classrooms remotely. This paper explores the importance of the tools of the tools of ICT in education and the roles that these tools have played in making learning better and easier.
Teachers are scholars who have mastered specific subjects that form part of their specialty and help in imparting knowledge to students. Some of the roles that teachers play in academic institutions include designing syllabuses, preparing timetables, preparing for lessons and convening students for lessons, and carrying out continuous assessments on students.
Others include keeping records of academic reports, disciplinary records, and other records related to the activities of students in school, like the participation of students in games and other activities.
In cases where there are limitations such that it is impossible to convene people and resources together for learning. E-learning provides a very important and convenient way of teaching people. In such a case, a teacher provides learning materials and lessons online, which can be accessed by his/her students at their convenience.
The materials can be audio files of recorded classroom lessons, audio-visual files for lessons requiring visual information like practical or even text documents, and hypertext documents (Tinio 1). This method of teaching is also convenient for teachers because they are able to record lessons at their convenience, and the assessment of students involves less documentation.
This is because with the use of the internet, teachers are able to upload assignments and continuous assessments on the e-learning systems, and after students are done with the assignments, they use the system or emails to send their completed assignments to their teachers. This comes with a number of advantages which are brought about by having students complete assignments in soft copies.
One of these advantages is that feedback from teachers will be timely and it will be convenient for the teachers. Teachers can also use technology tools such as plagiarism software to check if students have copied the works of other scholars and thus establish the authenticity of the assignment. It can thus be argued that although e-learning systems have their disadvantages, they are very instrumental in teaching people whose schedules are tight and who may have limitations as far as accessing the classroom is concerned.
Therefore technology has been an influential and essential tool in the career of education, and several innovations have been made that have made teaching a much easier career. The paragraph below discusses other ways in which technology has been employed in the education career.
Teachers can also use the tools of ICT in other functions. One such function is keeping records of student performances and other kinds of records within the academic institution. This can be done by uploading the information to a Management Information System for the school or college, which should have a database for supporting the same. The information can also be stored in soft form in Compact Disks, Hard Drives, Flash Disks, or even Digital Video Disks (Obringer 1).
This ensures that information is properly stored and backed up and also ensures that records are not as bulky as they would have been in the absence of the tools of ICT. Such a system also ensures that information can easily be accessed and also ensures that proper privacy of the data is maintained.
Another way in which teachers can use the tools of ICT to ease their work is by employing tools like projectors for presentations of lessons, iPads for students, computers connected to the internet for communicating to students about continuous assessments, and the like (Higgins 1). This way, the teacher will be able to reduce the paperwork that he /she uses in his/her work, and this is bound to make his/her work easier.
For instance, if the teacher can access a projector, he/she can prepare a presentation of a lesson for his/her students, and this way, he will not have to carry textbooks, notebooks, and the like to the classroom for the lesson. The teacher can also post notes and relevant texts for a given course on the information system for the school or on an interactive website, and thus he/she will have more time for discussions during lessons.
Teachers can also, in consultation with IT specialists, develop real-time systems where students can answer questions related woo what they have learned in class and get automated results through the system (Masie 1).
This will help the students understand the concepts taught in class better, and this way, teachers will have less workload. Such websites will also help teachers to show the students how questions related to their specialty are framed early enough so that students can concentrate on knowledge acquisition during class hours.
This is as opposed to a case where the students remain clueless about the kind of questions they expect in exams and spend most of their time preparing for exams rather than reading extensively to acquire knowledge. ICT can also be sued by teachers to advertise the kind of services they offer in schools and also advertise the books and journals they have written. This can be achieved by using websites for the school or specific teachers or professors.
As evidenced in the discussion above, ICT is a very instrumental tool in education as a career. The specific tools of ICT used in education, as discussed above, include the use of ICT in distance learning, storage of student performance and other relevant information in databases and storage media, and the use of tools of ICT in classroom like projectors, iPads and the like. Since the invention of the internet and the subsequent popularity of computers, a lot of functions of education as a career have been made simpler.
These include the administration of continuous assessments, marking continuous assessments, giving feedback to students, and even checking the originality of the ideas expressed in the assignments and examinations. All in all, the impact that ICT has had in educational institutions is so much that school life without ICT is somehow impossible for people who are accustomed to using ICT.
Higgins, Steve. “Does ICT improve learning and teaching in schools”. 2007. Web.
Masie, Shank. “What is electronic learning?” 2007. Web.
Obringer, Ann. “ How E-Learning Works ”. 2008. Web.
Tinio, Victoria. “ICT in Education”. 2008. Web.
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IvyPanda. (2019, February 20). Importance of ICT in Education. https://ivypanda.com/essays/ict-in-education/
"Importance of ICT in Education." IvyPanda , 20 Feb. 2019, ivypanda.com/essays/ict-in-education/.
IvyPanda . (2019) 'Importance of ICT in Education'. 20 February.
IvyPanda . 2019. "Importance of ICT in Education." February 20, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/ict-in-education/.
1. IvyPanda . "Importance of ICT in Education." February 20, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/ict-in-education/.
Bibliography
IvyPanda . "Importance of ICT in Education." February 20, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/ict-in-education/.
Essay on Impact of Technology on Education
Students are often asked to write an essay on Impact of Technology on Education in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.
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100 Words Essay on Impact of Technology on Education
Introduction.
Technology has greatly influenced education. It has changed the way we learn and teach, making education more accessible and engaging.
Interactive Learning
Technology has introduced interactive learning tools like smart boards and tablets. They make lessons more engaging and fun, helping students understand better.
Online Education
With the internet, learning is not limited to classrooms. Online courses, video lectures, and digital libraries have made education accessible to everyone, everywhere.
Improved Communication
Technology has improved communication between students and teachers. Emails, chats, and video calls make it easier to discuss and solve doubts.
250 Words Essay on Impact of Technology on Education
The advent of technology in education.
The advent of technology has revolutionized various sectors, with education being one of the most impacted. It has transformed traditional teaching methods, making learning more engaging, accessible, and efficient.
Enhancing Accessibility and Flexibility
Technology has democratized education, breaking down geographical barriers. Online learning platforms and digital libraries provide easy access to a vast range of resources. This flexibility allows students to learn at their own pace, fostering a self-driven learning environment.
Interactive Learning Experience
Technological tools like virtual reality, digital simulations, and gamified learning apps have made education more interactive. These tools cater to different learning styles, enhancing comprehension, and retention of knowledge.
Collaborative Learning
Tools like cloud-based applications and social media platforms promote collaborative learning. They enable students to work together on projects, share ideas, and gain diverse perspectives, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Challenges Posed by Technology
Despite its benefits, technology also poses challenges. The digital divide, where some students lack access to technology, can exacerbate educational inequalities. Additionally, over-reliance on technology might hinder the development of interpersonal skills and critical thinking.
500 Words Essay on Impact of Technology on Education
The advent of technology has dramatically transformed various sectors globally, and education is no exception. Over the years, technology has played a pivotal role in reshaping educational landscapes, creating new opportunities for both students and educators. This essay explores the impact of technology on education, focusing on its benefits, challenges, and future implications.
The Benefits of Technology in Education
One of the most significant benefits of technology in education is the democratization of knowledge. Digital platforms such as online libraries, e-books, and educational websites have made information accessible to anyone with an internet connection, breaking down geographical and socio-economic barriers.
The Challenges of Technology in Education
Despite the numerous benefits, technology’s integration into education is not without challenges. One of the primary issues is the digital divide, which refers to the disparity in access to technology between different socioeconomic groups. This divide exacerbates educational inequalities, as students who lack access to digital resources are disadvantaged.
Another challenge is the potential for distraction. With the proliferation of digital devices, students may be tempted to use them for non-educational purposes, which can hinder their academic progress. Additionally, the over-reliance on technology may diminish critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as students may resort to quick online solutions rather than engaging in deep, thoughtful analysis.
Future Implications
However, as technology continues to evolve, it is crucial to address its challenges. Policymakers and educators must work together to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that all students can benefit from technological advancements. Additionally, digital literacy programs should be implemented to teach students how to use technology responsibly and effectively.
In conclusion, technology has had a profound impact on education, offering numerous benefits but also presenting significant challenges. As we navigate the digital age, it is essential to harness technology’s potential to enhance education while mitigating its drawbacks. This balanced approach will ensure that technology serves as a powerful tool in shaping a more equitable, engaging, and efficient educational landscape.
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Home / Essay Samples / Information Science and Technology / Technology in Education / The Future is Now: The Impact of Technology on Education
The Future is Now: The Impact of Technology on Education
- Category: Information Science and Technology , Education
- Topic: E-Learning , Technology in Education
Pages: 2 (1130 words)
Views: 1286
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Introduction
Modern technology in education, importance of technology in education.
- Internet connection and around the clock connectivity.
- Using projectors and visuals
- Online degrees with the employment of technology
- The Global Impact of Online Classrooms
- The Tablet in Place of Text Books
Factors Affecting Technology in Education
- Lack of time;
- Lack of access;
- Lack of resources;
- Lack of experience and
- Lack of support.
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