The real power of interactive technologies is that they let us learn in ways that aren’t otherwise possible or practical.
Educational technology is the use of both physical hardware, software, and educational theoretic to facilitate learning and improving performance by creating, using, and managing appropriate technological processes and resources .
It encompasses several domains including learning theory, computer-based training, online learning, and where mobile technologies are used, m-learning. Accordingly, there are several discrete aspects to describing the intellectual and technical development of educational technology:
Technology is changing rapidly with new innovations and discoveries being made across the world. The change has touched our lives, directly and indirectly. One of the core aspects of an individual’s life is education and today, technology through the availability of expansive data and information is bringing about a revolution in this world.
Technological advances like e-learning, internet; educational cds, digital classrooms, etc. are being embraced by several educational institutions
In the modern age, technology has entered every nook and corner of human life. The technological advancement has remained unprecedented in the last few decades and has its footprints in every sector of the society today. Even the education sector has not remained untouched by the enormous technological developments. Technology has proved to bridge the gap between traditional teaching and fun-filled learning. The numerous educational websites, mobile applications, YouTube videos, blogs, and more have catered to transform the learning process in a multidimensional manner. Let us have a look at some of the key ways in which digital technology has catered to change the face of education.
Instant Access to Lots of Information:
A host of information is just a click away as students can simply look up into any topic across the search engine. For instance, if a child is keen to learn about the Basic Proportionality Theorem (BPT) or the Pythagoras Theorem, he or she can easily search for the keyword in the search box and it will be right there.
Efficient Assessment:
Various mock tests available online on each and every topic enables the students to assess their understanding of the subject. The instant results further help the students to gauge their knowledge in relation to their chosen topic.
E- Study Material:
The extensive online digital library enables the students to access the content from anywhere across the globe. Thus, they no longer have to compromise on their studies even when they are away attending a family function.
Multimedia in Education:
The use of images, audio, animations, and videos immensely help the students to visualize the topics, thereby enabling them to have a deep-seated understanding of each concept. For example, if a student wants to visualize the atomic structure of any element, he/she can easily access the library and view its images and 3D models to gain a better understanding of it.
Augmented Reality in Education:
For instance, if a student is keen to learn about the human anatomy system, it could be difficult for him/her to fathom without the help of a physical model, prototype, or image. Integrated augmented reality replaces the need to procure such physical material, and thereby helps the students to comprehend better, besides serving as a cost-effective solution.
A boon to suffice the thirst for knowledge:
The digital solutions cater to boost the quantum of learning capabilities to furnish each student who is keen to adopt new knowledge at their own momentum. It also fabricates the system of revisiting each chapter until a student is equipped with the desired knowledge.
What’s on the Flip Side?
While digital technology has its own share of benefits to extend to the education world, there is also another side to the coin. The widespread use of technology in education is surely benefitting the students, but if you see, the spreading technology, in a way, is also exerting an unprecedented pressure and stress on the young minds. Kids these days are getting addicted to using technology for even the minutest of things, which is negatively impacting their potential and capabilities. Children nowadays prefer using the readily available material on the internet instead of referring to the standard books from distinguished authors. The information overload on the ‘world wide web’ may create confusion among the students regarding what to refer to, thereby leading to confusion. This is where we believe, we, the parents and teachers, should step in to help the kids understand and utilize digital technology in the correct manner.
Various forms of electronic media can be a feature of preschool life. Although parents report a positive experience, the impact of such use has not been systematically assessed. The age when a given child might start using a particular technology such as a cellphone or computer might depend on matching a technological resource to the recipient's developmental capabilities, such as the age-anticipated stages labeled Parameters, such as age-appropriateness, coherence with sought-after values, and concurrent entertainment and educational aspects, have been suggested for choosing media. At the preschool level, technology can be introduced in several ways. At the most basic is the use of computers, tablets, and audio and video resources in classrooms. Additionally, there are many resources available for parents and educators to introduce technology to young children or to use technology to augment lessons and enhance learning. Some options that are age-appropriate are video- or audio- recording of their creations, introducing them to the use of the internet through browsing age-appropriate websites, providing assistive technology to allow differently-abled children to participate with the rest of their peers,] educational apps, electronic books, and educational videos. There are many free and paid educational website and apps that are directly targeting the educational needs of preschool children. These include Starfall, ABC mouse, PBS Kids Video, Teachme, and Montessori crosswords.
Educational technology in the form of electronic books offering preschool children the option to store and retrieve several books on one device, thus bringing together the traditional action of reading along with the use of educational technology. Educational technology is also thought to improve hand-eye coordination, language skills, visual attention and motivation to complete educational tasks, and allows children to experience things they otherwise wouldn't. There are several keys to making the most educational use out of introducing technology at the preschool level: technology must be used appropriately, should allow access to learning opportunities, should include the interaction of parents and other adults with the preschool children, and should be developmentally appropriate. Allowing access to learning opportunities especially for allowing disabled children to have access to learning opportunities, giving bilingual children the opportunity to communicate and learn in more than one language, bringing in more information about STEM subjects, and bringing in images of diversity that may be lacking in the child's immediate environment.
In such age of technological change, the role of teachers is also changing. They are no longer the bearer of knowledge, the one and only point of contact to provide information and solutions. The students are faced with a different problem today, the issue being the excess of information available to the students. There is need for the teacher to be a mentor and guide the students through the chaotic bombardment of information in a structured manner.