Education, as compared to every other aspect of life today, has been influenced by technology. It appears to be much the same as it has been for many years in several ways.

Analysis of the previous and ancient times highlighted that education was nearly equivalent compared to modern and contemporary times.

The teacher addresses the pupils from a podium, and the students sit in rows and listen. Some of the pupils seem to be following along with their books open in front of them. A few people seem to be bored while some people are conversing with their neighbors, and some look to be dozing off.

Today’s classrooms aren’t much different, and modern students may prefer to use their laptops, tablets, or smartphones instead of books. A skeptic would argue that technology has had no impact on education.

Technology in education

Technology, on the other hand, has radically altered education in many different aspects. For one thing, technological advancements have considerably increased educational opportunities.

Books were scarce in medieval times, and only a select few had access to educational opportunities. Individuals had to go to educational institutions to receive an education.

Massive amounts of information, such as books, audio, photographs, and videos, are now available at one’s fingertips through the Internet, and formal learning opportunities, such as the Khan Academy, MOOCs, podcasts, traditional online degree programs, and more, are available online globally. Thanks to technological advancements, today’s learning opportunities are unmatched in scope.

Students benefit from technology because it provides them with easy access to information, accelerated learning, and fun ways to practice what they’ve learned. It allows students to learn about new topics and gain a better understanding of complicated concepts.

Students can obtain 21st-century technological skills needed for future careers by using technology both within and outside the classroom.

Improved Coordination

Technology has also increased connectivity and coordination opportunities. Classrooms had traditionally been relatively isolated, with participation restricted to students in the same classroom or building.

Technology now allows for forms of communication and cooperation that were previously unimaginable. Students should share what they’ve learned with students in other states who are following the same expedition in their schools.

Students should use technology-based tools like wikis and Google Docs to work on group projects. Lecture halls are no longer a barrier, as technology allows for new ways of learning, connecting, and collaborating.

Role of teachers and students

Teachers’ and students’ responsibilities have started to shift as a result of technological advancements. The teacher is the principal source of information in the conventional classroom, and the students passively receive it.

This teacher model as the “sage on the stage” has been around for a long time in teaching, and it is still prevalent today.

However, due to the increased access to information and educational opportunities provided by technology, the teacher’s role in many schools is moving to that of a “guide on the side,” as students act more responsibly for their learning and opt for technology to collect necessary details.

Schools and universities worldwide are starting to reimagine learning spaces to support this new education model, encouraging more interaction and small group work while leveraging technology.

Role of technology in Covid times

Considering the proliferating rate at which modern viruses such as the novel coronavirus is propagating and severely affecting the various paradigms associated with human life. The education sector is certainly no different.

However, thanks to technological advancements and the advent of modern specialized tools, access to instructional resources is readily available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Classes can be fully completed online using a laptop or mobile device. Hybrid learning models blend remote access to technology with frequent in-person classroom sessions. It is possible to use technology to tailor learning plans for each student in all cases.

Teachers should design lessons based on the interests and strengths of their students. However, students should study at their own pace, which is an added benefit. Students should review videos in the lesson plan to check class material to understand critical topics better.

Teachers will use the data created by these online activities to see which students struggled with certain subjects and provide extra help and support.

Teachers may use technology to boost their competitiveness, incorporate helpful digital tools to extend their students’ learning opportunities, and boost student support and engagement.

It also allows teachers to refine their teaching processes and personalize learning for their students. Schools will benefit from technology by lowering the cost of physical instructional materials, increasing educational programs’ effectiveness, and maximizing teacher time.

Drawbacks of technology in education

On the other hand, educational technology has its drawbacks, especially in terms of implementation and use. According to Project Tomorrow, despite increasing interest in augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technology in the classroom, only about 10% of schools have these techniques.

Excessive screen time, teachers’ efficiency using technology, and concerns about technology equity are among the other issues. The question of content has emerged prominently as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

Educators must create and comment on online educational content, particularly to encourage students to consider a subject from various angles. Due to the time constraints imposed by these medical crises, this was not possible.

Access is also a concern; not every school district, for example, has the resources to provide students with a laptop, and internet connectivity in homes can be unreliable.

Furthermore, although some students succeed in online learning environments, others struggle for various reasons, including a lack of support resources.

A student who previously worked in face-to-face situations, for example, may struggle even more in this situation. These students may have resorted to resources that are no longer available to them at home.

Final verdict

To summarize, technology is a robust tool that can support and transform education in various ways, making it easier for teachers to produce educational materials to allow people to learn and collaborate in new ways.

With the Internet’s global reach and the widespread availability of smart devices that can connect to it, a new era of anywhere, anywhere education is on the horizon.

It would be up to instructional designers and educational technologies to take advantage of the technological possibilities to transform education so that effective and efficient education is accessible to everyone, anywhere.