Impact of Technology on Education - Essay Example

Impact of technology on education The rapid advancement in the field of science and technology has greatly influenced all aspects of our daily life.The use of technology has significantly improved the quality of life and has positively contributed towards a better understanding of man-machine relationship. The application of technology in the field of education has especially been a great asset in improving the overall standard of education and learning methodologies. The technology has brought in a plethora of new ideas and innovation in the field of education that has not only helped catch the attention of the students and teacher alike but it has gone a step further and generated a healthy curiosity among the students thereby providing them with fresh incentives for improving their learning skills for higher achievements. The technology has influenced our educational system in a number of ways. While it has served as a means to improve the quality of education, the use of technology has also greatly facilitated a better understanding and developed a mutual respect in the ongoing teacher-pupil relationship. The wide ranging implications of the use of technology in education, has been an ongoing concern of the authorities who have continued to introduce better learning facilities and optimise the learning process leading to quality education. Technology in the form of teaching aids, especially that with interactive boards, has substantially improved the learning process among the students with low attention span. The use of technology in the classroom has promoted interest and lively interactive skills that has facilitated better understanding of the subject. The technology has helped to customize the curricula as per the individual needs of the students and has provided them with a methodology that is non threatening as well provides facilitating environment for repetitive learning tasks. Use of technological gadgets in the classrooms has also helped improve the basic learning skills of the students. The students, with technology in the classrooms, have shown better results in overcoming their uncertainties and have developed self confidence. Their learning process regarding reading, writing and comprehension, has been faster than those who have had to make do with the traditional ways of teaching. The use of audio video technology in the classroom has brought in a new concept of teaching which has gone down well among the students. The use of multimedia in the classroom has been much appreciated, both by the students and teachers alike because it enhances the learning abilities of the students by addressing the needs and requirements of every student and suiting their individual style of learning so as to optimise their achievement. Through its use, both the teaching and the learning process have become more effective and have generated a greater desire to learn among the students. The use of computers and internet in the learning process has been appreciated by the student fraternity. While on one hand, the use of computers has vastly improved the technical proficiency of the students, it has, at the same time, dramatically improved their problem solving and critical thinking skills and techniques. The use of computers, in school and at homes, has opened a whole new world of learning and knowledge based possibilities that have immensely contributed in exploiting their potential of achievement, both academically and psychologically. Higher grades in academics have boosted their self confidence which has in turn, translated into better all round performance in the classrooms. Exposure to technological advancements, have also helped them (teachers and students both) to become more creative and innovative in their approach to teaching and learning. It has instilled in them a sense of exploring the unknown which will remain one of their most important traits in all their future endeavours. The use of new technology has helped the students to communicate more effectively by improving their reading and writing capabilities. It has at the same time, helped them to meet the challenges of the world and would help them to achieve their long term goals of life. The powerful tools of the technology, especially related to computers, facilitate and improve the students’ skills of organization, corroboration and application of critical thinking on a real time basis. These skills learnt at school days, help them to become a person with strong analytical aptitude and leadership qualities. It inspires them to higher levels of achievements and teaches them the most important lessons of life: incessant desire to be the best and to work towards it. It also inculcates a positive attitude in them that defines their personality which they carry throughout their life. The use of internet in the school curricula has revolutionized the early concepts of learning as well as of teaching. The internet has taken the learning process from the classroom to the virtual world with its infinite possibilities. The use of internet as a potent means of information has encouraged students to develop effective communication skills and expand their knowledge base. The internet has enriched their general awareness and embellished their classroom learning with technical proficiency. The use of technology has greatly facilitated teaching to students with special needs. The learning aids and devices, developed especially for such students have helped to improve the quantitative and qualitative education for this segment of students. The process of integrated learning with the help of advanced aids and devices while applying new collaborative techniques has had overwhelming positive response from the parents as well as the from the students. The use of modern technology in the classroom has effectively reduced the dropout rates of students with special needs. Another area where its impact has been very visible is in the adult education. The use of technology for imparting education to persons, who need to resume their education in the later part of their life, has specially been fruitful. The use of multimedia and computer, as teaching aids has facilitated easy learning. Teaching to foreign students, is yet another area where technology has proved successful. Despite the barrier of language, application of multimedia technologies and use of computers, have made it easy for the foreign students to enhance their learning and further education while at the same time, improve their communication skills. It can therefore be successfully concluded that impact of technology on education is far reaching and extensive. As Valdez said “Educators must prepare for a technology-rich future and keep up with change by adopting effective strategies that infuse lessons with appropriate technologies”(NCEMSC1). The use of technology in the learning process not only facilitates easy learning but it also helps developing a scientific temperament in the students. In the fast changing world of globalization, it has become imperative that the new system of education must incorporate essential technological modules and corresponding technologies so that the students are prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century with equanimity and self confidence. Reference Gilbert, Valdez. Technology: A Catalyst for Teaching and Learning in the Classroom. North Central Regional Educational Directory. 13 October 2007 . Read More