Technological Intervention in Schools

Education methodology is going through multifaceted challenges in today’s fast paced environment, where information is available at fingertips. Traditional teaching methodologies are becoming obsolete and more and more educational institutions are looking at ways to redefine the way information is passed on to the students. Transformation from the traditional classroom model, to the blended model of face-to-face learning, with online individualized activities is gaining more importance.

Teaching goes back a long way in human history, where the students were taught in classrooms. In this teacher-centered style, the teacher would be instructing the students on various subjects, relying on mere textbooks. The scope for individual attention and creating a passion among the students about the subject taught has been a concern for a very long time.

Student –centered instruction is gaining more importance where students exercise a substantial degree of responsibility for what is taught, how it is learned, and for involvement in the classroom. The role technology played in this change cannot be ignored. Technology is helping teachers to expand beyond linear, text-based learning and to engage students, who learn best in other ways. Its role in schools has evolved from a contained class into a versatile learning tool that could change how teachers demonstrate concepts, assign projects and do progress assessment.

Lets have a closer look at the emerging trends in the technology involvement in schools.

I) Audio visual aids

II) Specialized software

III) Curriculum, Calendar and Communication

Various Audio visual aids are used in major schools now. Using videos and music, help in giving the historical context enable better characterizations in learning subjects like Literature and History. Students are able to relate much better to the characters in the story, their lifestyle and think for themselves in this approach. Studies have proven the impact of this, where the students become more receptive to subjects, which were traditionally considered less appealing in a teacher centric approach.

Specialized soft wares have been of phenomenal help in teaching subjects like music. Most of the musical instruments could be replaced with soft wares, which has the same potential. This has also helped to do away with the need of all the instruments being physically present in the classroom. This shows the impact of technology in developing extra curricular activities among pupils. There are specialized soft wares for science, geography and various other subjects, which has given wings to student’s imagination and revolutionized education in unprecedented ways.

Advent of technology has empowered schools to come up with innovations including E-Books and references online. Availability of course material round the clock holds an unimaginable potential for innovating education. Schools now have shared online calendar, which is being constantly updated by teachers and management, which helps in better planning and coordinating the courses. On line curriculum update makes sure there are no miscommunications and everybody is on the same page. Another useful application of technology is email communication between teachers and parents. This constant Communication enables constant feedback, and gives multitude of ways for tracking progress and help children become better learners.

Technology as we see, can provide both the resources and the pedagogical framework for enabling pupils to become effective independent learners. A single concept can be learned in multitude of ways using technology, which helps in understanding different perspectives and have a holistic development. The helping hand of technology for boredom reduction in classrooms is appreciated globally. The biggest boon of technology till now has been the effective transition of students from passive to active learners, which help nurture them as better global citizens with quality, character and judgmental abilities.

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Technological intervention in schools
Jan 2013

AVEEN BABU