Technology’s Impact on Education Today and … Tomorrow

Author: Kelley Donald - MarCom/Thursday, September 8, 2022/Categories: Business Internet

Technology took the lead role in the pandemic, especially when educating children. While kids could not enter a classroom, they could log in on laptops and connect with teachers, learn, and interact with students.

There is quite a bit of work to do. The Use of Educational Technology for Instruction in Public Schools report sheds some key information on this. It found that during the 2019-2020 school year:

  • 45% of schools reported having a computer for each student, with only 15% allowing students to take computers home with them.
  • About half of the teachers used interactive textbooks online as a component of their educational process.
  • Over 70% of schools said teachers used technology for activities in the classroom, with some stating that it would not be possible to engage students in those activities without access to that technology.

Why do teachers and students need technology within the classroom? What does the future classroom look like in terms of technological resources and connections? Take a closer look at what education and technology bring together.

 

Why Do Students Need Technology in the Classroom?

Numerous reasons exist why students need technology within the classroom just as much as they need textbooks and other resources.

One reason for this is that it simplifies access to valuable educational resources students need. Most students already rely on technology in their everyday lives, whether it is smartphones, laptops, or smart devices. Many of today's students had a tablet in front of them when they were toddlers. Because of this already-existing connection, technology helps students stay connected to their academic learning. It is familiar and comfortable to them.

Investing in technology now also allows schools to teach efficiently. While the initial cost is higher, technology pays off for years to come. Over time, that technology helps pay for itself with the need for fewer classroom materials and supplies.

Technology in the classroom creates an environment where students can learn in many ways. That includes distance learning. It includes in-classroom learning that is more engaging and enriching. It may also include a hybrid model. Students also gain the ability to learn at their own pace, taking on more challenging or advanced subjects as they are ready to do so.

There are many other benefits (many of which are listed below). At the heart of putting technology in the classroom is creating the best learning environment for students while also supporting the needs of teachers who want to motivate and excite their students about learning. 

Digital tools make this more possible and, in doing so, remove many of the educational boundaries that continue to limit some students.

 

Why Is It Important to Use Technology in Education?

Technology allows education to reach more students with higher quality curriculums and content that is more engaging. It enables students to be taught in an enriched environment with options to pursue topics that interest them. More so, it allows students to learn in ways they already understand. 

Technology is all around us. Without a doubt, toddlers understand how to use a tablet, and teens can use high-end software to edit videos for social media. By providing technology in the classroom, students can take those skills and apply them to academics, allowing the student to get far more out of the learning experience.

Ultimately, we live in a digital world. Students need to embrace this early on so they can contribute in meaningful ways later in life. Digital tools in all forms allow students to become the leaders of tomorrow who will undoubtedly leverage machine learning, artificial intelligence, and global communication in the work they do.

 

Educational Technology Challenges

While technology is incredibly valuable and the future of classrooms, that does not mean it is easily accessed by students right now. There are limitations due to costs and a lack of knowledge about opportunities.

Digital access is crowing with the National Center for Education Statistics finding that, in 2019, 81% of 4th graders and 88% of 8th graders have digital access. Yet, many schools lack the funding to implement new educational programs. 

The key here is to recognize that an initial outlay of funds to establish an advanced, modern digital-based classroom will eventually pay for itself in the lower overall administrative costs and the better results it provides to students.

There is also the need for teachers to weigh the value of online educational content to determine the value it provides. During the pandemic, teachers had to rush these decisions to provide their students with access to any material. Today, educational tools and resources for them are more robust, but teachers need time and opportunity to compare and select appropriate solutions.

Support resources also lag in some areas. Students who struggle with an online learning environment still need resources to support them in person. This includes resources to help them learn how to engage with digital learning as well as tools to enable help for specific learning needs. These resources often lag in many areas.

The Benefits of Technology in Education

Take a closer look at some of the benefits of incorporating more technology into today's classrooms. It is hard to refute the benefits it can offer.

 

Increased Collaboration and Communication

Technology fosters collaboration. Teachers can engage with each student during the less. Students can connect with other students as well. Online lessons, games, and even homework assignments can help students work together to achieve their goals. What's more, collaboration like this encourages students to share their ideas with each other. It lets teachers reach out to a student who needs help, too.

 

Personalized Learning Opportunities

One of the key benefits of modern technology is that it enables students to pursue educational goals and interests at an easier pace. Teachers can create lesson plans on a wider range of topics and offer opportunities for students to pursue what interests them the most since these lessons are all online.

More so, students learn in the way that is best suited for their needs. That could be learning completely online using a laptop. It could include a hybrid learning style that gives students to learn in a method that works for their needs that day. Students who need more time to review material can do that from a distance, whether with a tutor or a parent online.

 

Curiosity Driven by Engaging Content

With more engaging content, students are likely to seek out more information or take a deeper dive into important or interesting content. That is important because it means students can follow what they are curious about, creating better levels of understanding in topics as far-reaching as science or reading. 

They can also tap into various forms of education, such as videos that explain topics or podcasts that break down topics that are more complex.

 

Improved Teacher Productivity and Efficiency

It is important to recognize that technology also helps facilitate teacher needs. They spend less time on tasks and can improve productivity using digital tools. This can help ensure that the teacher's time is spent not just providing a lesson but creating more opportunities for one-on-one support. 

There is less need to develop lesson plans and more opportunities to create engagement opportunities using the core tools and plans already available.

 

A Wider Choice of Materials Within Reach

With technology, students have a much wider range of materials to use to learn something. Rather than a piece of paper or a textbook, they can interact with games or learning programs online. They can watch videos or listen to podcasts. This allows students to learn in the way that is best suited for their needs.

 

Improves Communication Skills and Performance

Communicating online is valuable across all institutions, not just at school but at work as well. Learning how to communicate effectively using technology is a skill that will carry over to the student in the years to come.

 

Improves Critical Thinking Skills

Students using technology have more content available to them. They can think, problem-solve, work through challenging material, and feel accomplished when they do so. All of this helps to develop their critical thinking skills.

 

It is the Modern Classroom

It is quite important to recognize that technology is a part of daily life. With limited access to quality teachers, budgets that are constantly under fire, and the need to teach more at a younger age, technology is a critical tool for the future. This modern classroom already mimics what is happening in corporate offices across the country, too. Students need to be prepared for it.

 

Technology Lets Students Be Active Learners

Most people can remember sitting in a classroom trying to stay awake as a teacher drones on. With interactive, online learning, students are engaging with their content, whether it is working through puzzles on a tablet or interacting with a video. Active learning tends to be more effective learning.

 

It is Fun for Students

Students that love to learn are learners for life. If the content and material provided to the student are not that in-depth or interesting, the student is not going to engage as fully as they could. Technology helps to make education more enjoyable to them, making it less of a chore and more of a game to learn.

 

It Enables Remote Learning – From Anywhere

Students can use the internet to learn from any location, not just in a classroom. That means that if they are traveling the world with their parents, their lessons are with them. It lets students learn no matter which parents' home they are living in that week. 

It can enable children to learn remotely when they are unable to get to school due to illness. There is no longer a disconnect and wasted time from inaccessibility to their education.

 

Learn More and New Skills

Often, students are limited in what they can learn in a classroom setting due to time restraints, budgets, and teaching skills. With online learning opportunities and tools for the classroom, it is possible to engage more fully in new areas. If they are interested in a very specific topic, they can research available lessons in it and then embrace it.

For some students who are otherwise unchallenged by the basic curriculum, this facilitates a way to learn topics that are more advanced. That keeps them interested in their education.

 

Improves Students' Growth Mentally and Physically

Using modern educational tools, students can enhance their cognitive function. They are able to improve physical health, too, because they have a better understanding of their health and wellbeing. Students are able to get more support for their emotional needs as well. All of this helps to facilitate a better outcome for students in academics.

 

Stay Up To Date with New Technological Advancements

Technology is always advancing, and those who have those skills are most likely to be able to secure jobs in advancing fields later. One of the best things about educational tools like this is that with access, students can learn about new types of technology, communication tools, and data analysis resources, all of which help them to stay on top of the latest in-demand skills.

 

Become a Leader in Enriching Classrooms through Technology

Technology has permanently changed our approach to education. Yet, educators need to learn more about the opportunities available to them to enable students to engage fully in this new learning environment. 

For teachers who may not have the skills and background to provide technology-based learning, there are master's programs available that can help as well as various remote learning opportunities.

Parents also need education on the benefits, while taxpayers covering the cost of school districts need to understand the importance of moving to a digital learning environment. Without these types of support structures, it can be hard for students to reap the many benefits offered.

The traditional classroom is not challenging or engaging enough for many of today's students. Without advancements that digital technology offers, many students may lag in their learning abilities, not because of learning disabilities but a lack of access to the best level of education available.

 

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