Technology has completely changed how we learn and teach, making education more flexible, accessible, and interactive. While it comes with some challenges, its smart use can create a better, more engaging future for students and teachers alike.
With an estimate to hit USD 12 billion by 2025, the impact of technology in modern education has been substantial lately. From lectures to examinations, everything has gone online.
So, whether you wish to connect to experts at a global level or start a new course, technology has become an integral part of our daily learning. Therefore, it won’t be wrong to say that technology has become an inseparable part of our education system. But the question is how exactly is technology impacting modern education. Is it good, or is there something we really need to be concerned about? Let’s check out.
But before knowing and understanding how technology impacts modern education, let us analyze how education has transformed post-COVID.
Analysis of Pre-COVID and Post-COVID Education Approach
When the entire world was put to a halt, technology came to rescue the students to pursue their goals. Amid the closure of schools to flatten the infection curve and imposition of social distancing, the entire education approach transitioned to tech-friendly.
Before Covid-19, when most of the resources available for the students were the ones that were there in their respective campuses, things took a U-turn. After the technology was infused in the education sector during Covid-19, the students could also avail themselves of resources globally. The physical classes were replaced with online classes on Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet. Attendance registers were replaced by virtual presence during lectures, notes, and assignment submissions shifted to personalized institution apps, websites, and mail. Not just that, even the fun and cultural sessions that were earlier limited to the local experts now have people from all corners of the world.
Moreover, AI-based platforms like PrepAI that automatically generate question sets from the content are giving a new dynamic to evaluate learning. This smart solution not only assists students through self-assessments but also teachers by saving time and regular paperwork. Examinations, be it institutional or competitive, technology brought everything on a single window at the comfort of home. Needless to say, convocation programs with pop-corns on the couch became a reality!
This is how technology has changed the practices in the education sector.
Ways How Technology is Impacting Modern Education
The following points explain how has technology impacted education:
1. Streamlining the Education Process
Streamlining the education process basically means creating a framework that helps in understanding different disciplines contextually rather than learning bit by bit. The streamlining of education ensures that no student is left behind in this learning process.
So, if the topic is the states of matter, solid, liquid, and gas in science, it will include the entire framework like characteristics, physical and chemical properties, etc. Usually, students have a textual table or image stating the attributes of these states of matter. However, through Virtual Labs, students can witness the transformation of these matter states into another form. Moreover, the breakdown of molecules during such transformation can also be virtually explained.
This framework helps to learn the concepts in a wholesome manner and covers each aspect with precision. It allows all the students to move at an equal pace and motivate them to work harder by promoting healthy competition. The following advancements assist in streamlining education:
- Online learning assessment
- Virtual reality and augmented reality
- Robotics/coding
- Remote learning technology
- Cloud-based lesson planning and delivery
2. Enhancing Learning Experience
The introduction of technology in today’s education has given a new dimension to the classroom. Traditionally, students read texts and observed pictures shown in the textbooks. The information provided to students was limited.
However, technological advancements in education like Virtual Reality (VR), by which students will engage in the computer-generated world in a seemingly natural way, will ensure comprehensive learning.
For example, if the topic is about ancient civilizations. Traditionally, students will have a few pictures in textbooks and the subject teacher to explain ancient civilizations. But with Virtual Reality (VR), students can visit and witness how life used to be back then. They will understand how one civilization is different from others, what were the customs and traditions in a particular civilization, etc. With this simulated environment, students engage their minds entirely in virtual reality, which results in a clear and better understanding of concepts.
Also, visuals tend to remain in memory longer than texts. So, students can easily recall what they have visualized then try to remember what they have read, eventually enhancing their learning experience.
3. A Boon for Special Children
Technology has opened up the learning experiences for various disabilities like blindness, deafness, etc. There is alternative technology used in education today that is designed to keep all disabled students at an equal level with the use of assistive technology.
Recent advancements like digital Braille keyboards and displays, Narrator, etc., assist the students who are blind. Similarly, real-time transcription systems, including stenotype machine real-time software notebook computer which with no delay converts the speech to text to ease the typing processes for a student who is deaf by assisting in assignment and notes formation.
Some more assistive technological advancements in education for special children are:
- Use of magnifiers for people with low vision. It increases the size of print and pictures without breaking the pixels.
- Braille Displays is an assistive technology useful for tasks like writing, typing in braille, printing in text, reading, browsing the internet.
- Optical Character Recognition (OCR) based text to speech options help in converting regular text files into speech for visually impaired people.
- Personal Amplification Systems are another assistive device for amplifying sounds. They eliminate background voices and noise for clearer sounds helping partially deaf people.
- Voice Amplification Systems is also an assistive device. It is used for amplifying the sounds of people with impaired vocal cords.
- Communication Boards consist of all the necessary elements needed for communication for dumb people.
- Speech Generating Devices help dumb people to communicate as they can type it, and the device can convert it with speech.
- Note-taking Systems for deaf, blind, and physically impaired people. This intelligent system can be customised according to the needs of various disabilities.
4. Enhancing Security
The digital invasion is now a big part of student life. Unlike the old times, when everything was maintained and managed on paper and files, students are now even giving examinations online. Therefore, the replacement of paperwork by digital platforms on the grounds of safety, security, and privacy of data is worth noting.
Use of Blockchain (which is basically a digital ledger that records information and makes it impossible for a third party to cheat, hack, or change the system) to record and maintain student records, issuing blockchain-stored certificates to graduates, programmed courses, and lessons by teachers are a few examples that ensure only authorized and authentic access. The core benefit of digitalization in this regard is that it saves time, can be easily accessed from any corner at any time, that too by authorized personalities.
A few other ways of how technology enhances security in education:
- By encrypting the sensitive data through technology like SSL, SSH, and SFTP.
- Through accessing control mechanism for data storage in devices.
- Through infrastructural security system and storage of devices.
- By implementing tiered storage security architecture to avoid theft.
5. Easy Access
If asked what is one positive effect technology has had on education, it is definitely the technological advancements in education like Cloud Computing, Cloud Drives, Dropbox, IBM Cloudburst, etc. This storage technology ensures that the files are easily accessed from anywhere in the world. It basically removes the border and boundaries that previously existed in the education sector. Not just that, it also gives a personal workspace for children and helps in making learning more interactive.
The homework, assignments, recorded lectures, class notes, and everything which can be uploaded online can be accessed easily from anywhere at any time. Moreover, the option to access material offline makes it easy for students to access material even from remote corners.
Students can also define who can access their online storage. There are two types of access:
- Shared Access is where a student uses an email address to give access to any other person. The access is restricted to limited people. It is ideal when working on a group project or submitting assignments where the teacher can give feedback.
- Open access is when anyone can access a document without any permission from the owner.
6. Personalised Teaching
The only teaching resources that existed for previous generations’ students were their books and teachers. However, today students can pick from whom they wish to learn and have access to study material from anywhere and anytime.
This way, students receive academic training and information from the most trusted sources and at the comfort of their own schedule. Moreover, this also improves their research and analytical skills. Technology has transformed the whole world into a city where students can have industry experts as their mentors. This digital interaction not only gives them exposure to different dimensions of one industry but is also instrumental in improving the thinking prospects of students.
Some positive effects of technology in the classroom that helps in transforming the online learning process are:
- Through blended classrooms by offering face-to-face and online education
- Digital Storytelling
- Online Grading System
- Expert sessions and webinars
- MOOCs courses and other certification courses
- Internships including work from home
- Video-Assisted Learning
Scope of Technology in Future Education
The advancements in Assistive Technology (technology for people with disabilities), Voice, and Virtual Reality platforms (creating a virtual world that is completely different or similar to the real world) have completely reformed the education sector. Moreover, Augmented Reality (enhancement of real-world using digital sensory technology) and Artificial Intelligence (human intellect in machines to act and think like humans) are making education more interactive, engaging, and interesting.
With the introduction of the metaverse, the transformation of the education industry will be immeasurable. Since metaverse will mimic the real world in many ways, subjects like mathematics, science, or geography can be explained more holistically. In addition, the learning experience will be more human even in the digital world. Students will be able to do experiments in a safe virtual environment, eventually learning at their own speed under the supervision of the subject expert.
Gamification is another aspect that is in the spotlight now. It basically means integrating game designs and principles with non-game scenarios. Gamification includes elements like scoring points, giving learning badges based on performance, checkpoints to evaluate the progress, bonus points for achieving non-academic objectives, etc. Employing gamification with learning is undoubtedly gonna make learning and exploring a fun session.
In a survey, a majority of the students believed that the focus of classrooms in the future would be on personalized and self-paced learning. Also, one-third of the internet users comprises youth and children, which makes the use of technology in education even more promising. Not to mention that Artificial intelligence’s nascent market is expected to reach $6 billion by 2025. Therefore, it won’t be wrong to say that technology usage in education is a catalyst that can reform the education sector for good.
Technology Trends in Higher Education
Here are the top four trends for technology used in education in today’s times and will play a crucial role in the future:
Generative AI
Generative AI has made it possible to quickly create content lessons, study material, and more to be used in the classrooms. It is also great for summarizing, editing, rewriting, brainstorming, etc. GenAI saves time and energy for teachers and helps them streamline lesson plans.
Ethical Use of AI
While generative AI is helpful, it’s important to discuss the ethical concerns of using the tools. For example, students should understand that asking an AI tool to write an assignment is cheating and plagiarism. They should know how to use technology without abusing it.
Bridging Digital Divide
Digital technologies are available as free resources as well. The paid subscriptions can also be affordable, thus allowing students from low-income groups to have access to education. For example, YouTube lessons are a free resource and can benefit anyone with a basic smartphone and internet connection.
Immersive Learning
Immersive learning combines real and virtual worlds for students to have a multisensory experience. For example, teachers can take students on virtual tours to museums, archeological sites, etc., or show them how to perform surgeries using holograms and mixed reality devices.
Does Technology Leave a Positive or Negative Impact on Learning and Education?
Given the present circumstances and considering the technological advancements happening globally, it is evident that technology cannot be separated from the learning and education sector. Therefore, to understand the effects of educational technology, it is essential to comprehend the purpose of utilizing technology in education.
On the one hand, technology prepares students for the future by making them tech-friendly. Not just that, it also widens the horizons of education by making the learning process engaging and interesting. On the other hand, personalized learning at home comfort anywhere and anytime definitely boosts efficiency. However, limited or no personal interaction, excessive screen time, development of interpersonal and spiritual skills, cognitive problems, etc., are raising concerns about the social life of students.
Therefore, whether the new education technology has a positive or negative impact depends upon the intention for which it is used.
Impact of Technology in Modern Education: Pros and Cons
When using technology in education, benefits and challenges appear in parallel. That’s because every aspect has good and bad to offer, and technology is no different. Let’s take a quick look at the pros and cons of integrating technology with modern education.
Pros
Digitalized Resources
With textbooks and other study materials being digitalized, students can easily access the resources they require for learning. Moreover, online libraries are convenient as students don’t have to physically visit the location. One Nation One Subscription project by the Indian government will allow students to access countless digital materials for free.
Independent Learning
Technology makes it easier for students to study on their own and ask for help when necessary. This makes them more independent and allows students to come up with creative ways to resolve a situation.
Remote Collaborations
Technology encourages online learning and collaborations where students from different regions can interact and work on the same project without geographical and other restrictions preventing them from meeting in-person. It is also a great way for disabled students to work in group projects.
Tailored Experiences
Technology in education future trends have shown how AI can tailor unique student experiences based on their learning preferences. Be it microlearning or mixed reality, students can vastly benefit from using technology in learning.
Better Future
Students will be more comfortable in using technology and won’t have to struggle to adapt to changing times. They will be more flexible and open to change as technology is constantly evolving.
Cons
Distractions
Technology gives access to many sources, websites, apps, etc. With social media, YouTube, streaming platforms, and other means of entertainment, it is very easy for students to get distracted by something and lose interest in learning.
Overdependence on Technology
Technology has brought everything to our fingertips. There’s an app for writing, editing, drawing, and whatnot! Thanks to generative AI, creating new content is effortless. This can lead to overdependence on technology and make students lazy and dull.
Lack of Social Skills
With everyone chatting and using SMS lingo and emojis, it has become difficult for kids (students) to develop healthy interpersonal skills and abilities to deal with people in real life. Post-Covid, many students had a hard time making friends in schools.
Isolation
While independent learning is a benefit, the other side of the coin is isolation. Students may feel alone when they attend online classes. Even with their friends visible on the screen, they cannot touch each other or run around the campus.
Health Concerns
Spending hours every day staring at the blue screen can weaken eyesight and cause other health issues. Addiction to technology can also lead to psychological issues. Educational institutions and parents should find a healthy balance.
Conclusion
From learning a new course or skill to storing records, usage of Blockchain, Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Virtual and Augmented Reality, etc., are revolutionizing the education sector. Undoubtedly, future education will offer holistic learning with the aid of technology.
FAQs
1. What is the role of technology in modern education essays?
Technology plays a vital role in modern education as it promotes a holistic approach to creating inclusive classrooms, stimulates learning, encourages personalization, makes knowledge more accessible, and assists teachers in automating repetitive tasks without compromising quality or efficiency.
2. How can technology motivate students to learn better?
Technology in modern education is an integral part of learning and development. It motivates students in many ways – simulations, gamification, multimedia content, AR and VR learning, etc. From creating healthy competition to providing adaptive content, technology makes education more attractive, appealing, engaging, and fun.
3. How do technology and education work together?
Technology and education go hand in hand in the current scenario and will continue to co-exist. In a way, technology and education can have a symbiotic relationship. Technology makes education more accessible and engaging while education makes it easier to use technology in various parts of our lives.
4. What are the essential elements for the adoption of technology in education?
You need more than just software to use technology in education. The essential elements for adopting technology in education are as follows:
- Hardware like computers, tablets, smartphones, AR & VR devices, projectors, screens, etc.
- Software like EdTech applications, LMS, exam generators, curriculum creators, and more
- Knowledge and training for teachers to use technology in classrooms and empower students
