Importance of Technology in Education
- Education News
So how important is technology in education? This a question that many have asked over and over and have arrived at different answers.
In the past, learning and education simply meant face-to-face lessons with lectures, reading books or printed handouts, taking notes and completing assignments generally in the form of answering questions or writing essays. Basically, education, learning and teaching were considered impossible without a teacher, books and chalkboards.
However today, education and training have taken on a whole new meaning. Computers are an essential part of every lecture hall and lecturers are using DVDs, CD-ROMs and videos to show students how things work and operate,this means each student can learn at thier own comfortable pace.
Education basically is four-fold ; Aims to be part of the curriculum, an instructional delivery system,a means of aiding instructions and also as a tool to enhance the entire learning process. With this education has gone from passive and reactive
Education is both essential in corporate and academic settings. In corporate,education or training is used to help workers do things differently than they did before but in academic,education is geared towards creating curiosity in the minds of students.
Research has shown , that students severally,that students learn best when they are engaged. Through the use of technology, students can become active participants as opposed to passive ones where they simply receive instructions or information.
Trust is another factor that enhances the learning ability of students. With the use of technology, teachers can establish credibility in what they are teaching. Web based tools can be used for providing demonstrations and examples that can help students establish credence in what they are learning.
Technology has thus had many pros than cons especially in the education setting.
Technology has allowed distance learning since several people are able to learn the same stuff despite the fact that there indifferent locations.
Technology allows group Learning since technology has helped provide distance learners with online communities, live chat rooms and bulletin boards. All these allow students to collaborate and communicate even though they are isolated in their own space.
Technology allows individual pacing since Multimedia tools, on-line and CD-ROM based training have helped eliminate the need for an instructor-based lesson plans. Students who grasp concepts faster proceed and move along, without being held back by ones who need more time and help for learning.
Technology helps lower training costs and increases productivity,this is whereby technology is used to reach many students in shorter time and hence lowers training costs. Corporate and academic Institutions can also reduce their costs of delivering lessons to students on a per-student basis. Through the use of technology, students can considerably save time and increase their productivity.
In conclusion,technology is a good thing but it can face some setbacks if not well implemented. Thus Tools used for disseminating information must be developed with the students in mind.
There are also factors like lack of computer/technology literacy to be considered. Schools and businesses must bear in mind that education technology is simply a tool and its success depends largely on the amount of planning that goes into it. Using education technology can be a right choice as long as all such factors are considered.
Reference
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