How Technology Has Changed Learning - Essay Example

Student’s Name: Instructor’s Name: Course Code: Date Assignment is due: How technology has changed learning Introduction Many educators articulate contentment with new advancement in technology as critical to developing a revolutionary change in learning. However, others view it merely as a supplement to classroom learning (Schrum 256 - 271). For those supporting technological advancement, they believe that technology brings about an enormous change in learning (Barak 245 - 263). To understand exactly what technology brings forth in learning in today's classrooms and how the change coming along can come about a research is ideal to analyze the situation and evaluate how technology ha changed learning. It is clear from the analysis that technology brings in 1) Smart boards™ 2) Educational Television 3) Laptops and, 4) Leap Pads all which are used in learning and geared towards making learning easier and convenient. The paper analyzes this new advancement in technology within the learning experience in the 21st century classroom providing recommendations as to what measures can be taken to improve and develop more technology in learning and make learning more effective. Technological Tools advancement For more than 20 years, there has been the use of new and advanced technological tools in educational formats, which have been excellent in facilitating learning (Hall and Elliot 301 - 307). In the recent times, there has been the development of a new type of high-tech and advanced learning environment referred to as ChemQuest, a high-school project that was financed by the National Science Foundation in United States, Washington, D.C. (Levine 16 - 18). These experiences have practically led people to develop comparisons as to what they view as the two main thrusts in learning today (Barak 245 - 263). The people define the two thrusts as "the use of technology as an additional tool for methods in traditional learning and teaching processes (Schrum 256 - 271)" and "the use of technology as the hub of an innovative learning and teaching process (Schrum 256 - 271)." The comparison of the respective opposing thrusts is based on a number of characteristics, which includes course goals, learning styles, course content, tools and assessment. Use of Smart Boards in Learning The introduction of the smart boards in learning has been improving the activity a terrific deal. The Smart Board is a series of whiteboards developed through new technologies in the recent times. The first Smart Board whiteboard was introduced in learning in year 1991. As of the year 2010, the Smart Board has led the interactive whiteboard category at least with a 77.9% in Canada, 60.9% share in America, 61.8% in EMEA, 63.5% in the UK and 48.2% market share across the globe (Schrum 256 - 271). The interactive nature of the newly introduced board has been providing many practical uses within the classroom as a learning experience (Barak 245 - 263). Using smart board Notebook software, teachers are able to record each step of the lessons for students to have a review at a later time. The flexibility of use within the classroom that includes the multiple ways in which tutors can display information within the class (interactive text, sound, images, and video files), has ideally been revealed as facilitating ESL support and instruction both differentiated and universal design for classroom learning (Hall and Elliot 301 - 307). Research reveals that use of a whiteboard in the classroom has been the most effective means of lessening teacher stress and easing the learning activity (Levine 16 - 18). Recent research suggests that the interaction that touch-sensitive display develops the use of intuitive, natural movements that allow learners as young as preschool to use a Smart Board with ease and make learning better and engrossing. Educational Television Use in learning It is also evident from research that educational television has been excellent in improving learning. Educational television generally is the utilization of television programs in the education field (Barak 245 - 263). It may be practically in the form of individual programs or some television channel dedicated to facilitating easy learning (Schrum 256 - 271). Many children's series in television are educational, which ranges from dedicated learning programs ideally to those, which indirectly teaches the viewers more effectively. Some series are effective and have a specific moral well behind the respective episode, explained often at the end by the character, which learned the lesson. On the same note, there are other educational programs used for an older audience; with many being "Tele-course" services or distance learning (Hall and Elliot 301 - 307). A great example of the educational television in one by Open University programs aired on BBC television (Barak 245 - 263). Use of Laptops in learning Research conducted globally demonstrates that laptops have been a critical tool in facilitating learning (Levine 16 - 18). However, anecdotal evidence reveals more faculties are banning laptops practically from their classrooms due to perceptions that the laptops distract learners from learning. Current research looks into the nature of in-class use of laptops in a large lecture course including how the use relates to student learning (Barak 245 - 263). With students completing weekly surveys on laptop use the results from the study indicated that students using laptops in class spent a lot of time multitasking and the laptop use was a significant distraction to the users as well as fellow students (Hall and Elliot 301 - 307). There was appreciation that the laptops eased the work and facilitated easy learning, but it was also a complete distraction and in the long run had more negative effects in learning (Barak 245 - 263). Use of Leap Pads in learning The introduction of the Leap Pad has also been excellent in improving learning. This is an electronic children's book platform designed for children aged 4–8. The pad has been advanced from 1999 to 2008 and facilitated learning in many classrooms globally (Levine 16 - 18). A number of models of the toy have been released in the market until 2008 when the strategy was superseded by Tag reading system (Hall and Elliot 301 - 307). The leaf pad has been making basic learning entertaining and unpretentious. The toys have been developed for children with different sets of facilitating a number of basic learning for instance writing, phonics, and reading. In fact, leap pads have been known to be excellent in learning different languages and doing it with ease (Barak 245 - 263). The computerized toy design was developed by experts in the learning field in that it would be a complete package for learners as well as parents who do not have the time to go for full set of books or even toys (Levine 16 - 18). For example, Leap Pad for phonics a part of the new developments has a 12-book phonic program, which introduces the learner to phonics with at least 12 different, fun activities of which they are excellent in making learning easier (Hall and Elliot 301 - 307). Next, it is a terrific way of giving practice to the learner with 36 interactive Smart Cards as well as 3 Activity Boards that teach how to spell at least more than 360 words (Hall and Elliot 301 - 307). This has facilitated learning with a three books, which a child can read after he is through with the preliminary two steps (Barak 245 - 263). Read and Write Pads, of course, are excellent in teaching the learner to write and read efficiently (Levine 16 - 18). The Magic Pencil alongside the package with the Leap Pad and the Writing books allow the small user to hear and comprehend letter sounds and, as the respective words are read out loud, the learner is able to grab them quickly (Hall and Elliot 301 - 307). Conclusion Technology has been introduced in learning including 1) Smart boards™ 2) Educational Television 3) Laptops and, 4) Leap Pads all which are used in learning and geared towards making learning easier and convenient. Technology helps us learn in a simple and easy way. However, in the future, technology may be able to teach in complex, easy and fast way. For example, today learners watch educational television, and in the long run, they might be using high-speed Internet in the process of learning. This is therefore, excellent in understanding that technology is a potent was in the Future to facilitate learning. It has a promise as well as positive future in making learning easier and facilitating it effectively. In the future, there is a promising future with a prospect of the introduction of iPods that might be of enormous help by having educational lessons. To facilitate technology in learning in a better and efficient way, the developers need to have a strategic approach. 1) There is a need to have controls on the use of technology in learning, 2) Integrating lessons online would be devoted to ease learning and, 3) The Internet can be of considerable use in pursuing part time learning for working adults. With this, it would be possible to advance more technology in learning and making it better to the advantage of facilitating better learning. Works Cited Barak, E. Wireless laptops as means for promoting active learning in large lecture halls. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 2006, 38, 245-263. Driver, M. Exploring student perceptions of group interactions and class satisfaction in the web- enhanced classroom, The Internet and Higher Education, 2002, 5, 35-45 (Driver 35 - 45). Hall, L. and Elliot, R. Diffusion of technology into the teaching process: strategies to encourage faculty members to embrace the laptop environment, Journal of Education for Business, 2003, 79, 301-307. Levine, W. using technology to enhance the classroom environment, T.H.E. Journal, 2002, 26, 16-18. Schrum, T. One college of education's effort to infuse technology: a systematic approach to revisioning teaching and learning, Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 2002, 35, 256-271. Read More