How important is technology in the Education System? Benefits, challenges, and the impact on students
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) created many jobs in high demand during the last decade. With advances in technology driving digitalization and globalization, teachers can assist students in gaining the knowledge and skills to excel in the professions that will be popular in the future.
What is the role of technology in the field of education?
The COVID-19 epidemic has quickly shown why online education must be integral to teaching and learning. By infusing technology into the existing curriculum instead of making it an instrument for managing crises, teachers can use online learning as a potent educational tool.
Utilizing digital classroom learning tools will increase students' engagement, help teachers refine their lesson plans, and allow individualized learning. They also help students develop necessary skills for the 21st century.
Virtual classrooms, videos, augmented reality (AR), robots, and other technology tools can not only help make the classroom more enjoyable; they can be used to create more diverse learning environments that promote curiosity and collaboration and allow teachers to track students' performance.
It is essential to remember that technology is a classroom tool, not a substitute for education. The potential of technology in education lies in the work teachers do with it and how it is utilized to meet their students' needs.
Educational Technology Problems
BuiltIn reports that teachers are 92% aware of the role of technology in education. Based on Project Tomorrow, 59% of middle school students believe that digital tools in education have helped them improve their test scores and grades. These tools are now in such demand that the educational technology market is expected to reach around $342 billion in 2025 to the World Economic Forum.
However, educational technology faces challenges, especially in terms of implementation and usage. For instance, despite increasing enthusiasm for using AR, artificial intelligence, and other new technologies, just a tiny fraction of schools have these devices within their classes, as per Project Tomorrow. Other concerns include the excessive use of screen time, the efficiency of teachers who utilize technology, and concerns about technology access for all students.
One of the most prominent issues is the content problem. Teachers must be able to create and evaluate online educational content, mainly to help students think about the topic from different angles. The urgency of measures taken during the crisis has not allowed enough time to do this. Access to the internet is another issue. Schools do not have the facilities to supply students with laptops and an internet connection that isn't always available at home.
In addition, while certain students excel in online learning environments, others struggle for different reasons, such as support tools. For instance, students who have struggled in a face-to-face environment may be even more challenged in the present situation. They might have relied on resources they cannot access in their home.
However, research has found that most students show confidence in online education provided they have the right tools. However, the online learning environment could create challenges for teachers, particularly in locations where it's not commonplace.
Despite the issues and challenges, it is crucial to recognize the advantages of technology in the classroom, which include greater communication and collaboration, improved educational quality, and engaging lessons that encourage imagination and search for knowledge among students. Also, if you have any issues with online studying, you can use different sources to help you with homework.
It is the Benefits of Technology in Education
Teachers wish to enhance the performance of their students, and technology can help in achieving this goal. To overcome the obstacles, administrators need to aid teachers in developing the competencies necessary to boost education for students by using technology. In addition, technological advancements in classrooms will help teachers in their work without adding extra time.
Technology gives students easy access to information, quick learning, and the chance to test what they've learned. Technology allows students to explore new areas of study and expand their understanding of complex concepts, especially in STEM. Using technology in and out of school, pupils can acquire the 21st-century technical skills needed for their future jobs.
Yet, children can benefit from guidance. The World Economic Forum reports that while technology may help children learn and gain skills through playing, research suggests that learning can be more effective when supervised by an adult figure, like teachers.
Administrators and leaders should examine the state of their faculty in their understanding of online environments. Based on the lessons they learned during this period of disruption, they can develop solutions for the near future. For instance, administrators can provide teachers with an entire week to contemplate ways to deliver courses that were not previously available online. Besides searching for options and solutions, flexibility in these difficult times is crucial.
Here are some examples of how crucial technology is in the field of education, in addition to the value it can bring to teachers and students.
Improved collaboration and communication
Educational technology can help foster collaboration. Not only can teachers interact with students in class, but students can also communicate with one another. Through online courses and learning games, students can collaborate on solving issues. Students can share their thoughts and ideas through collaborative activities and help one another. In addition, technology allows one-on-one interactions with teachers. Students can ask classroom-related questions and seek additional help on difficult-to-understand subjects. At home, students can upload their work, and teachers can access and review the assignments they have completed using laptops.
Personalized Learning Opportunities
Technology gives students to access 24/7 to learning sources. Learning hybrids utilize technology anywhere and along with regular classroom sessions in person. In both cases, technology is used to create a learning plan that is tailored to each student's needs. Teachers can develop lessons that are based on a student's abilities and interests. Another benefit is that students take their time learning at their own pace. If they require a review of the material in class to gain an understanding of the most important concepts, students can look over videos within the lesson program. The information gathered through these online exercises allows teachers to determine the areas where students struggle in certain areas and provide additional guidance and assistance.
Curiosity Motivated by Engaging Content
With engaging and educational material, teachers can ignite curiosity in children. It can also increase their interest which is linked to academic success. Inquiring helps children gain an understanding of the concepts of math and reading. Making engaging content may involve using AR, videos, or podcasts. For example, students may add videos or engage with others worldwide when submitting assignments.
Increased Productivity and Efficiency of Teachers
Teachers can use technology to attain higher levels of efficiency and implement practical digital tools that can enhance students' learning possibilities and improve students' engagement and support. Teachers can also use technology to enhance their teaching methods and tailor the learning experience. Schools can profit from technology by reducing the cost of the physical instructional material, improving the efficiency of educational programs, and making the most efficient use of time spent by teachers.
Be a leader in enriching the classroom through technology
Teachers who aren't familiar with the tools used in education might not have been exposed to them when preparing for their career or professional training. Teachers who want to move into the future and gain the knowledge to integrate technology into their teaching will benefit from learning opportunities that will help them develop their skills. Suppose you want to change how education is conducted by incorporating technology into the system. In that case, American University's School of Education Online provides the Master of Arts in Teaching and Master of Arts in Education Policy and Leadership. These programs provide educators with the tools they need to be influential leaders. Courses like Education Program and Policy Implementation and Teaching Science in Elementary School prepare graduate students with crucial abilities to incorporate technology effectively into classroom settings.