Effects of Modern Technology on Education

EFFECTS OF TECHNOLOGY ON EDUCATION

Education has changed significantly in the last twenty years. One of the main reasons education has undergone so many changes is because of technological development. In early 1990s, computers and other forms of technology served a minimal role in the classroom. Today, many if not most college students attend class with a laptop. In simple, technology has revolutionized the way education is being received by the students and imparted by the teachers in modern competitive world.

Technology has made research much easier. Before online availability of Encyclopedias, Google Scholar, JSTOR, and many other research tools, students were forced to spend numerous hours in the library scrolling pages of books. With Google and other search engines, students can now find relevant information faster and more efficiently, during any time of the day.

Moreover technology allows for a faster, more efficient, and more interactive classroom experience. With Powerpoint presentations and projectors, there is no need for blackboards and whiteboards. With clickers, students can take quizzes during the classroom. These developments also help improve tutoring services. Online tutoring programs are becoming available. One-on-one in-home tutoring programs have aided these developments. Tutors can bring laptops to sessions allowing them to look up information, and show examples to the student more easily. Wi-Fi technology allows students to study in more comfort and a more ergonomic setting.

New mathematical software such as Maple and Mathematica allows students to make computer algebra computations more easily. Software like Matlab and Scilab allows students to make complicated and intensive numerical computations easily and accurately. Advanced Texas Instrument and Casio calculators allow students to solve equations and produce graphs. Online software such as Webassign allows students to submit mathematics assignments online with instant feedback, assessment and quick interactive learing.

The internet allows students to read books and education supplements at home any time of the day, 365 days an year. There is no need to go to a bookstore or library. Since many of these sources are open source or funded by advertising, students can access these materials for free. Wikipedia and Wikibooks are good examples in this case. Students can learn more without leaving their house. College applications and job applications can now be complete online. Students can deliver important paperwork to universities and employers at a much faster rate. Online education allows more students to get education. Handicapped students, students that have to travel a lot, and students with jobs can now complete their degrees wherever they go with a flexible schedule and often at their own pace. Due to its lower costs, online education has benefited lower-income bracket students.

Technological development allowed the creation of new IT jobs and improved economic development in general. Moreover technology has made distance learning possible. Radio’s, TV’s and computers could all be used to provide courses to train and groom teachers as well. They can receive instruction at home to increase their knowledge of their subjects and of new and more effective methods to teach their subjects.

To make technology more appealing for education, educational institutions should focus on making studies more exciting, inculcating thinking and analytical abilities in the students. Instead of making the computers to think for the students, focused attention and time should be allocated by the teachers for enhancing thinking process of the students. Besides this teachers should keep the intellectual abilities of all the individuals in the class and produce presentations at such a level that they may be suitable for all children especially the weaker ones, to get hold of their concentration as well and get equal chipping in from all sides.

In nut shell, Computer technology is a positive supplement to bridge the gap between education and the technological world in which we live. Computer-assisted technologies in schools offer students greater access to information, an eager motivation to learn, a jump-start on marketable job skills and an enhanced quality of class work.