Some of the most in-demand, high-paying jobs are fairly new because they deal with technology. As technological advancements drive digital transformation in all areas of our lives, education has become one of the most talked-about areas where technology can make a real difference. Through technology, teachers can help students succeed in school like they couldn’t before, offering better access to learning resources and easily helping students figure out answers to their homework.
The technology used for education has only been around for a little more than a decade. Of course, classrooms benefit from technology, such as projectors and televisions. However, more recently, technology has been promoting more remote schooling opportunities that can help students excel. Teachers can use online learning to improve education at every level by integrating technology into existing classroom strategies. The article will discuss the use of technology in education, its challenges, and its benefits.
Technology for Education
Colleges have been offering online classes for many years now, and they were a popular option for summer classes if students wanted to get ahead while they weren’t living on campus. However, during the last few years, parents, students, and teachers have realized how important technology is for teaching at all levels, including elementary school through high school, trade schools, and even professional certifications. Effective use of digital tools in classrooms can promote better learning and improve the teaching and learning experience to help teachers improve lesson plans and keep students engaged.
Additionally, the use of virtual classes, videos, and augmented reality (AR) has made it easier to teach students in new learning environments that promote better collaboration and enables teachers to gather data about their students and the effectiveness of the lesson plans. Screen recorders have become an invaluable tool in this context, allowing educators to capture and share dynamic content, further enhancing the learning experience.
That being said, technology is only a tool to facilitate learning; technology should not be used on its own. It’s still important for students of all ages to have a teacher or professor who can answer questions and lead lessons while supporting other students’ needs.
Challenges of Technology in Education
Many teachers understand how important it is to use technology in the classroom. However, in the last few years, when many teachers were forced to work remotely, they saw the challenges of switching to a completely remote environment. Digital tools can help teachers and students, but it comes with their own set of challenges. Since education has seen a huge push toward online platforms, educational institutions need to build and optimize their website.
While there are many different types of technologies teachers can use in and out of the classroom, such as AR, artificial intelligence (AI), and remote teaching equipment, many schools don’t have the resources to spend the money on the technology. Not only that, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, many teachers noticed a drop in attendance in their classes due to technological problems, slow internet speeds, and parents being unable to stay home from work so their children could use the computer all day.
Additional concerns include the use of technology, excessive screen time, and even a language barrier. We already know that too much screen time can be detrimental to physical and mental health. Staring at screens all day long isn’t good for your vision, and it forces students to sit for long periods instead of being able to stretch their legs or walk to class.
Another major concern is that some students might not thrive in online education settings. There’s a reason why most major universities still have most of their classes in person; many students prefer to learn in person, in a classroom of their peers. However, other students can thrive in an online setting.
Benefits of Technology in Education
While technology in the classroom or education, in general, can have drawbacks, it can also help students learn better and keep them focused. Every teacher’s goal is to improve student performance, and technology may be a way to facilitate this. Additionally, technology in the classroom should make teaching easier; it should not take too much time away from regular classroom instruction.
Since technology can provide students with more information than what’s available in a classroom, they’ll be able to experience accelerated learning and more engaging activities to practice what they learn in the classroom. The main benefits of technology in education include:
Increased collaboration
Educational technology can promote better communication and collaboration. Teachers can engage with students during lessons, and students can communicate with one another. With online lessons and educational games, students can work together to solve problems in a different way than they would in a traditional classroom. Additionally, students can share ideas and easily collaborate on projects.
Technology also allows for better one-on-one time between teachers and students, enabling students to ask questions and seek out additional help.
Personalized Education
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for education because everyone learns differently. With technology, students can have personalized access to learning resources any time of day and any day of the week. Classes can happen entirely online, or schools can offer hybrid learning to combine remote learning and traditional classroom exercises.
Technology also makes it easier for teachers to create lessons based on the students’ strengths and weaknesses and allow students to learn at their own pace.
Engaging Content
Educational content can engage students better than traditional textbooks or learning materials. Engaging digital content can help students better grasp different topics, including math, science, and reading. Additionally, technology allows for different types of content, making learning easier. With better visuals, video, AR, and even podcasts, students can change the way they learn to find out which medium helps them learn best.
To cater to these diverse learning preferences, educators can use video editors to create dynamic and interactive educational materials. Tools like VEED offer advanced AI features such as a background remover for tutorial videos, an audio converter for podcasts, and a video downloader for saving educational social media content.
Improved Teacher Efficiency
Teachers have to do a lot in a short period, including teaching their classes, grading papers, and finding time to meet with students who need additional help. Teachers can leverage technology to become more productive with a suite of digital tools that increase student engagement while enabling teachers to improve their teaching methods.
Final Thoughts
Technology is a necessary tool in all classrooms and learning environments, but schools might not yet know how they can incorporate more technology into the learning experience. As technology evolves, more public schools will be searching for ways to help teachers and students, but implementing new technology can take time and resources.
Article Written by Ashley Nielsen
Ashley Nielsen earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration Marketing at Point Loma Nazarene University. She is a contributing writer at 365businesstips.com where she shares knowledge about general business, marketing, lifestyle, or financial tips. During her free time she enjoys being outside, staying active, reading a book, or diving deep into her favorite music.