Technology has made ardent strides in all fields and education is no exception. The blackboards have given way to smart boards and learning material is not just printed books anymore – computers and tablets are changing the way children learn. All these technologies have made learning fun and dynamic.
Technology in education has been one of the most hotly discussed topic in education— from primary schooling to higher education/skill development. Technology is a tool and not the end in education. One must be cognisant in how and where to use technology in the teaching/learning processes and how it will impact the various stakeholders.
The adoption of technology across various industry vertical and functional roles clearly shows ways in which its adoption has improved outputs. The ultimate adoption of any new tool in education is to derive an improvement of learning outcomes of the students. While this is the end goal, technology tools can be used in the various facets of the teaching/learning processes which can directly/indirectly contribute to the end objective. We will review some such technology tools that can be used in classroom across and discuss their impact.
Hardware
a. Audio/Visual Teaching aids: Projectors and smart boards are a great addition to the standard chalk boards in the classroom. Projector enables teachers to now mix-up different kinds/formats of content from various sources with the traditional talk-n-chalk and make it interesting for the students. Some benefits of smart boards include the increase in interactive instructional tools, display attractive graphics, improve lectures with audio-visual tools, provide better instructional material, and can also cater to all learning styles.
b. Classroom Response System (‘Clickers’): A classroom response system (sometimes called a personal response system, student response system, or audience response system) is a set of hardware and software that facilitates teaching activities such as the following.
- A teacher poses a multiple-choice question to his or her students via an overhead or computer projector.
- Each student submits an answer to the question using a handheld transmitter (a ‘clicker’) that beams a radio-frequency signal to a receiver attached to the teacher’s computer.
- Software on the teacher’s computer collects the students’ answers and produces a bar chart showing how many students chose each of the answer choices.
- The teacher makes ‘on the fly’ instructional choices in response to the bar chart by, for example, leading students in a discussion of the merits of each answer choice or asking students to discuss the question in small groups.
c. Tablets: As curriculum meshes with technology in the classroom, teachers are discovering that tablets can be game-changers. Students can research without leaving the classroom, teachers can project and manipulate 3-D objects on a screen and a virtual library is available at the swipe of a student’s fingertip. Backpacks are lighter, teachers’ handouts are almost impossible to lose and it’s harder for a dog to eat homework.
Software
a. Learning Management Systems: A learning management system (LMS) is an online platform that enables the delivery of materials, resources, tools, and activities to students both in and out of the classroom environment. It allows teachers to offer tailored instruction that can be accessed by students anytime, anywhere without geographic constraints. The key benefits of implementing a Learning Management System are
- Communication: An LMS adds an asynchronous communication channel between the teacher and students to share multi-format content aligned with learning objectives of the students. The students discover curriculum material and courseware in an organised structured environment both inside and outside the classroom.
- Differential Learning: An LMS extends the classroom beyond the four walls and also allows for one-to-one interaction between the student and teacher. This allows for differential learning and personal attention for individual students without taking precious classroom time.
- Community and Collaboration: An LMS enables peer-to-mentor and peer-to-peer communication and collaboration and mirror some of the collaborative activities students participate in the digital world. This opens up varied opportunities and improve student engagement in the classroom.
Content/Courseware
a. Digital Textbooks and Multimedia Content: A growing trend points to the importance of shifting K-12 schools from printed textbooks to digital educational resources. Digital content is more flexible and cost-effective than print material such as textbooks. Digital resources can be updated easily without the cost of reprinting. They are available anytime, anywhere for students and teachers to access in the classroom or at home. They can be personalised to meet the individual needs of students. And they allow for richer content, including high-definition graphics, videos, simulations, interactive lessons, virtual labs, and online assessments.
b. Digital Assessment: Technology can make the formative assessment process even easier and provide tools for analysing data quickly and painlessly. There are many technology tools that allow teachers to create and deliver formative assessments in just a few minutes and collate student results instantly. Some of the tools include classroom response systems, tablets and mobile devices and Google Forms.
Labs and Kits
There are several new kits and tools which are available that teachers can introduce in the classroom to drive student engagement and widen their horizon. Robotic kits can improve the engineering skills and hands on project work among students. Many new tools are being developed and introduced which teachers and students can use in the class for students to conduct science experiments and learn by observation. Language enhancement kits can help students practice and learn speaking and listening skills.
Overall the progress in technology has enabled a vast number of new tools and systems to be built and deployed in classrooms to improve overall delivery process, make it more efficient and ultimately drive learning outcomes. There is no one size fits all and teachers need to evaluate every tool on its merits and how it fits within their instructional methodology curriculum. On the same note, I would encourage teachers to be open to new ways of instruction which is possible only because of these new tools in class.
The world is witnessing a digital revolution. Today’s children are evolving in a world that is very different from that of most adults. Computers, mobile phones, the internet and other digital media play an active role in the upbringing and development of children. Understanding and internalising technology is an organic process for the youth of today. Technology is intertwined with the very growth of the child itself – from helping him/her build an identity, to social acceptance and behaviour. It is thus inevitable that in the near future, technology will replace the traditional modes of learning. Tablets and computers will be the equivalent of books, a mouse – the equivalent of a pencil, and the internet – an extensive library of knowledge.
Integrating technology into classroom learning can help students in many positive ways:
The 3 C’s: (Communication, Collaboration and Creation.) The use of internet technology has opened up a world of learning and opportunity for learners, giving them the chance to communicate, collaborate and create. This has given rise to a different kind of learning that goes far beyond the boundaries of the classroom.
Innovative learning: The use of tablets and computers creates an innovative and visual learning experience for learners, and helps to engage their interest. Videos, virtual lessons and assessments help create a certain level of excitement and are great learning tools, especially while teaching subjects such as Maths and Science. Application based learning is enhanced and the learner feels involved in the lesson.
Greater Access: E-learning has given form to a wholesome learning experience, where learners can access learning material from anywhere. Distance learning has taken great strides, providing knowledge even in remote areas.
New roles and responsibilities: With the advent of e-learning, the role of the teacher has changed from that of a dispenser of knowledge to a facilitator and a guide. Teachers now can spend more time attending to and helping learners individually. However, the role of the facilitator has become even more important in making sure that learners’ activities are monitored in the best possible manner.
Personalised education: As learners can get individualised instructions from the computer, learning becomes a more engaging process. Learners of different capacities have the freedom to learn and engage at their own pace.
Increased focus: The use of the internet as a research medium gives learners the chance to immerse themselves in projects and learn in a more exciting manner.
Bridging the gap in communication: Technology has even helped to fill in the communication gap between parents and facilitators. Daily/weekly e-reports are sent directly to parents. Parents too have the chance to track their child’s progress and converse with teachers easily via school web forums.
Innovative tools of technology in the classroom:
Tablet learning: Many schools have already made the switch to tablet technology for learning. With this tool, learners can access content at the touch of a screen, anywhere and anytime. The touch interaction introduces an additional level of engagement and increased stimulation, less learning time and enhanced knowledge retention. Tablets lend themselves to a great form of technology while teaching due to easy portability and convenience. They offer access to text and reference books, audio and video resources, internet research, document preparation and review, and much more.
Online testing and assessment: There are several online testing software and applications available to schools today. Learners can take these tests on their digital device and receive instant scores. Practice tests that can be accessed from any device are also very useful and engaging for learners, and act as a substitute for after-school coaching. This allows the facilitators the liberty of time that would have been traditionally spent assessing written tests.
Facilitator’s notes: Customised apps have been introduced that allow facilitators to write notes digitally so that they can be saved for the learners to access later.
Assessment reports: Teachers can also send daily/weekly/monthly assessment reports to parents and communicate with them in a more convenient manner. Reports, assessments and updates are uploaded on to common forums accessible to both parents and children, leading to absolute transparency.
Technology has certainly seen much success in transforming the learning experience. However, there are certain negative effects of technology which can be lessened by allowing the facilitator to play an active role in the monitoring process. Traditional methods of learning cannot entirely be sidestepped as they too play an important part in learning. When used in the right manner, technology will most certainly create an engaged and evolved learning experience for all.
REFERENCE:
Gollamudi.R.April 24, 2014.Technology: changing the way we learner.Progressive teacher.retrieved on 1st August 2015 from
http://www.progressiveteacher.in/technology-changing-the-way-we-learner/
