6 advantages of technology in education

Education is more than just teaching children math and spelling. It is about shaping the minds of the future generation. That is why education is so important and why our education system is constantly evolving. One of the recent innovations in education is the use of technology. Why? Because technology has a tremendous impact on how we teach. For example, schools went from blackboards and chalk to whiteboards and laptops. Here is a list with 6 advantages of using technology in education. 

 

1. Interactive experience

 

Keeping students engaged in the classroom might be one of the biggest challenges in teaching. When you ask parents why their children are so distracted, they probably blame technology. However, technology in the classroom is different. Devices like computers, tablets or interactive whiteboards can turn any dull subject into a fun and interactive activity. Things like applications, videos, simulations, games and digital books make the learning experience so much more engaging. 

 

One of the more recent technological innovations in education is the use of virtual reality. Virtual reality brings the student in the learning experience, literally. It has the possibility of giving students real-life experience of the subject they are studying without them having to be there. Ever wondered what the American civil war looked like? Or how it would feel like being a construction manager at a large building site? Analytic Steps explains how that and much more is all possible thanks to the use of virtual reality in education. 

 

2. Unlimited access to information

 

The internet provides instant access to the most current research and knowledge in the world. Before, students had to rely on books that could have been written years before and the teacher’s own knowledge. Teachers are smart, yes, but even for them it’s impossible to keep up-to-date on everything all the time. 

 

The internet pretty much eliminated the need for going from library to library, dragging piles of books, and reading through each and every one carefully. Now, all that knowledge is just a few clicks and a well-defined query away. Especially in subsharan Africa, this access to knowledge provided a great improvement in the standard of education. 

 

3. Communication

 

Communication, both between teachers and students but also between teachers and parents, is important in education. With technology, it became easier to facilitate that communication between all parties. 

 

For example, some schools keep a blog so parents are up-to-date on what their children are learning, and use SMS messaging in case of school closures. Apps and software often have a direct messaging system that allows for instant communication and to have a digital record of the students grades and or behavorial problems. And last but not least, technology makes it possible for parents to digitally RSVP to school events and such. 

 

4. New ways of learning

 

Historically speaking, education mostly used to be a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. But each child is different and some might need a different way of learning to reach their full potential. Some children prefer auditory learning while others do better with visual learning. 

 

A third way of learning is tactile learning, which means physically touching or trying something in order to learn. It’s not easy for teachers to incorporate that in their lessons and to facilitate each child’s preferences. Technology can make it a lot easier, though. Videos with a visual presentation are perfect for both auditory and visual learners. Games and interactive experiences such as virtual reality are better suited to tactile learners. 

 

Incorporating interactive experiences in the classroom can greatly enhance student engagement and understanding. With the rapid advancements in educational technology, teachers now have access to a variety of tools that cater to different learning styles. One notable resource is ABCmouse, which offers interactive sight word games designed to support early literacy. These games are ideal for visual learners and provide a hands-on experience that can make learning sight words more enjoyable and effective. By integrating these interactive games into lessons, educators are not only promoting fun learning but are also adapting to the diverse needs of their students, aligning perfectly with the concept of technology enriching education.

 

Another example is hybrid learning. Hybrid, or blended learning, is a combination of real-time and online lessons. With this teaching style, students can choose when they want to take the online lessons. They get the opportunity to learn at their own pace, without burdening teachers with extra work. It doesn’t stop there; more and more schools and institutions have the opportunity to complete a course online. 

 

This was mostly due to COVID lockdowns, but now schools have seen the advantage of online learning and are integrating online courses into their curriculum. One type of certification already had online lessons way before the pandemic started, the TEFL-certification. What is TEFL, you ask? TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language and you can head over to the website to find out all about it. 

 

5. Collaboration

 

Collaboration or group work used to mean driving over to your friends house to work on a project together. With technologies such as Zoom meetings, Microsoft Teams and Google documents, it is now possible for students to work together in the same document or program from their own home. Even better, there are no limits to the group size and everyone can work on it whenever it fits them best. 

 

6. Futureproof

 

Education is about teaching children about the world of tomorrow and how to function in it. However, the world is changing rapidly and that is not going to stop any time soon. Technology is one of those aspects that is changing at a breathtaking speed, and by teaching children at a young age on how to handle technology, they can better keep up with all the changes. 

 

Having strong technological skills is without a doubt an advantage in almost any kind of job. Growing up with technology and having the mindset of embracing change in any kind of process can make a big difference in someone’s future employability. 

 

Technology in the classroom can be a distraction, but it can also provide several advantages. Interactive experiences with the help of technology make it possible for students to engage with their course load on a whole other level. Thanks to the internet, it is now possible to have the most up-to-date knowledge and research right at your fingertips in the classroom. 

 

Apps and software provide easier communication between teachers, parents, and students, as well as having digital records of a student’s grades and or behavioral problems. Technology also provides different ways of learning so students can pick which one fits their preference best. Collaboration for group projects became a lot more practical now that everyone can work on the same document or program from home and in their own time. Most crucially, incorporating technology in education prepares students for a future where technology will keep on advancing.