Technology has unlocked a whole new world that simply did not exist a couple of decades back. Exotic foreign lands and cultures are no longer just a picture in a book or only seen by those with a plane ticket. Rather, the Internet has created a platform where anyone can learn about various cultures and different places through a virtual experience.
Technology has profoundly impacted the modern education system. It enriches the learning experience by providing various options that can accommodate a student’s quest to learn. In many ways, the education system seems pretty much the same as it had been years ago, doesn’t it? A 14th-century illustration by Laurentius de Voltolina portrays King Henry of Germany delivering a lecture to university students in Bologna. The scene is easily recognisable due to its parallels to the modern day classroom setting. The teacher is seen delivering his lectures standing on a podium in front of the classroom while students sit in rows and listen. As you can see from the depiction, some students appear to be following along the lecture taking notes, while few others seem to be talking to their neighbours, some even sleeping. Today, classrooms look pretty much the same except that you would see modern students looking at their smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Probably, browsing through their Facebook and Instagram feed. A cynic would say that technology has done nothing to change education. Here, in this article let us look at the ways technology has impacted the conventional education system.
Among the several benefits that technology has on the modern education system, a few of the most noteworthy ones have been discussed below.
- Quick and Effortless Information Availability
This is perhaps the most obvious advantage of technology. In olden times, if you had to look for an information, you had to sit in the library for hours and hours scanning through books until you found the appropriate information. But today, due to the implementation of technology to education, one can easily access a vast repository of academic-related content at the comfort of their home. For example, if one needs to know the characteristics and formula of magnetic flux, they can simply access the necessary information by just looking for it online on their mobile phones, tablets, etc.
- Effective Collaboration
In a traditional classroom, collaboration can get messy because some students might voice out their opinions loud and firm, while the others too timid might not get an opportunity to be heard in spite of having great ideas for a project. A unique setting is offered for students with online tools and apps to engage in a group project. Through online collaboration, they can get their project done at home. The team is connected online and are inspired by the focused environment. For example, suppose a project on reflection of light needs to be done, then the task allocation for different people in the team can be done systematically without any hassle. A few can be allocated to prepare the working model of the project and a few others can be responsible for the written project report. If one has a problem with the assigned task then they can raise their concern without being fearful on the online platform and later everybody can discuss and find a solution to the problem.
- Distant Learning
This is one of the greatest advantages of technology in education. Now, anyone from any corner of the world is able to access global content in an instant. Technology has eradicated the distance and brought the whole sea of knowledge together.
These were a few important advantages of technology on the learning process. In the near future, technology will be an integral part of the traditional education system and will make learning more engaging, efficient, student-oriented for all.
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