How has technology changed education? A Change Over

How has technology changed education? Today’s technology has changed schools from places where you just sit and read to places where you can learn through activities that go beyond books and whiteboards. It is clear that it has had an effect: technology is now used every day in 64% of UK schools, and 81% of students think that digital learning has helped them get better grades. Many thanks to digital technologies, online resources, interactive whiteboards, and the shift from passive receiving to active involvement in the classroom, learning is easier to get to and more interesting than ever before. This significant shift in how information is sent and absorbed has not only made students more productive (82% of them said they had more study time because they could get to more information), but it has also completely changed the way education works at all levels, from grade school to college.

What is educational technology?

You can sometimes call it “ed-tech,” but education technology is the use of hardware, software, and other technological tools to improve classroom learning and student achievement. It is interesting to see how ed-tech has changed the future of education and pushed the limits of old ways of teaching.

Schools and teachers are getting better at what they do by coming up with new ways to get kids and students to think critically and be creative. This unique way of teaching is one of a kind because it uses tablets for reading and writing as well as games and computer-based coding.

Because computer programming and coding are used every day, everyone should learn how to use technology to do well in school. Kids who learn to code and program can get better at problem-solving, critical thought, reasoning, and understanding how one thing can lead to another. There are countless benefits of technology in education, including this one.

How technology has changed education over the last 20 years? 

In the last twenty years, technology has come a long way. Take the UK as an example. In 2000, only 47% of homes there had a cell phone. 84% of people in the UK have a smartphone, and a lot of kids and teens do too.

Technology is getting into classes more and more, which changes how students learn. There wasn’t too long ago when one or two computers were shared in each classroom at a regular school. It is now common for each student to have a device, like a computer, that they can use for school and learning.

From new educational tools to group learning, these are some of the most important ways that this change has made education better: 

1- Increased communication with video calling

In order to stay in touch during the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers and students used video chat instead of talking to each other in person. Videoconferencing is still useful and won’t go away, even though most students are going back to studying in person (39% of schools use some kind of online learning). Because technology has made learning better, experts are thrilled and can’t wait to see what the future holds.

The pandemic has “sped up the evolution of technology adoption, curriculum, and other key elements of learning,” according to Jim Knight (Rt Hon Lord Knight), head of Suklaa Media & Education and former schools minister. He also talked about proof that technology, especially software that lets people work together and play games, can raise “levels of student engagement” and lead to “better outcomes across the board.”

2- Better testing of students 

The purpose of evaluation software is to help teachers test their students, find out what they know and don’t know, and see where their students need more help. 

3- Technological literacy with computers, laptops, and tablets 

Many schools in the UK give their students access to tablets, laptops, and desktop computers. This helps them learn more about technology and a wide range of learning tools that will help them in their personal and professional lives in the future.

4- The role of teachers

Technology is being used by more and more kids in the classroom, which is changing how teachers do their jobs. Educators at all levels are having their duties changed by digital tools, even those who choose to stay in the classroom.

More and more, students are expected to take responsibility for their education and make important contributions to it. Instead of just teaching students facts, teachers are putting more emphasis on teaching them how to learn, analyze material, and do independent research using smart devices and the internet.

5- Gamification to get more people involved 

Gamification is a new way to teach and learn that makes lessons more fun and interesting for students. For students to learn how to master a wide range of skills, they need to be involved, steady, and creative. The creation of game-based learning tools has made it much easier to bring fun into the classroom, whether it’s for learning to type or a language. 

6- Use of software to work together

Student project involvement is made possible by collaborative software, which also helps teachers with task delegation, project planning, and communication. Through distance learning, for example, students can work together on the same project even though they are not in the same place. 

How will educational technology change in the future?

The most obvious change in the last few years has been the growth of technology. This trend will likely become even more important in the future.

Even though they will have good effects, technological progress in education will happen slowly and steadily. We might not see schools becoming (almost) unrecognizable after a total technological takeover. Instead, we might see more information and access improved by constantly focusing on new technologies and trends.

Additionally, the way we gather this data will change. Along with online learning platforms, the education system may shift toward a more interactive approach that uses virtual and augmented reality to make learning more personalized.

Instead of the more standard lecture-based, note-taking-based methods of teaching, a focus on problem-solving and teamwork may be used to better prepare students for work.

Conclusion:

Technology has changed how we learn and teach in schools over the last 20 years. As technology has improved, education has become easily accessible to, more interesting, and more useful. 64% of schools in the UK say that regular use of technology has helped students do better in school. Technology in schools is an important part of today’s education system. Virtual and augmented reality, collaborative problem-solving, and personalized learning are just a few of the new technologies that will change the way we learn in the future. Even though new technology will be slowly adopted, the benefits to students’ education in the form of a more open, interactive, and joint classroom will make the wait worth it.

FAQs

How has technology changed in education?

The old-fashioned classroom model of education has been replaced by a more modern, engaging online learning space thanks to progress in technology. Since the change, learning has become easier and more fun than ever. In the UK, 64% of schools use technology every day, and 81% of students say they get better grades when they use digital tools.

How does technology help in teaching and learning?

Digital collaboration tools, instructional software, and interactive whiteboards all contribute to better instruction by enhancing student engagement. Gamification tactics make classes more interesting and help students retain more knowledge (82% of students reported improved study efficiency), whereas digital technology allows for personalized learning experiences.

How has the internet changed education?

The internet has changed the way people study by making things like books and databases that weren’t accessible online. Due to new technologies like virtual classes and ways for people all over the world to work together, students from anywhere in the world can now get a good education.

How does technology affect higher education?

Higher education has changed a lot because of technology. Online degree programs, virtual labs, and digital study tools are just a few examples. The current advancement of  technology has made it easier for academics around the world to work together and share resources. It also lets students study whenever and wherever they want, improve their research skills, and get ready for jobs that use technology.