Role of Technology in Transforming Education
It’s a humid afternoon and the library is filled with people with their noses buried in pages— thick books and rising stacks of papers. Writing one essay will take approximately a week’s toil sitting in there and going through as many books as possible to collect information. Students, teachers, researchers, or anyone interested in learning about anything depends on books and libraries. It seems almost laughable in today’s era, right?
Why won’t it? The technological advancements of the 21st century and the development of education-oriented digital and AI tools have made researching, learning, and even teaching easier and more engaging than ever.The use of technology to improve and even revolutionise education has brought us a long way, and there is so much potential for more and better.
There are so many ways in which technology has reshaped our education system:
1) Easier Access to Information
You won’t find yourself in that library, would you?
Thanks to the advancements in science and technology, the scene narrated in the beginning has become a thing of the past. Information is available at our fingertips, it's a commodity. We are one click away from a video essay, an article, a news clipping, a published research paper, a book, and even contacting experts! That too, from the comfort of our homes.
Even libraries have internet access and desktops other than books and papers.
No more going through book after book and a sad plethora of papers to collect information. Almost everything is available online. Students can learn outside of the classroom and from textbooks. broadens their knowledge and perspective. They learn more; they learn faster.
2) Personalised Learning
One of the greatest achievements of AI-based learning tools has been the feature of providing a personalised learning experience to each individual.
“…if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” —Albert Einstein
This quote has become the basis for the development of AI models that adapt to the user’s priorities, strengths, and areas for improvement so that learning does not burden the student but turns into an engaging catalyst to expand one’s horizons.
3) Staying Connected
Must have heard of Google Platform, if not used it? Well, it was the life-saver of schools that were shut down during the pandemic—all schools. But hey, it is not the only one now. Digital platforms like Teachmint and Classpro also came under the limelight during the pandemic, when social distancing and lockdowns had almost brought the education system to its knees.
Thanks to such initiatives, the face of online learning and even regular learning has been transformed considerably. Students and teachers are constantly connected, and providing and completing assignments is easier, as is the process of keeping track of student progress and grading assignments.
4) Global Collaborations
With the help of technological advancements in the education system, connecting institutions, students, and teachers globally is no longer a headache or a mountain to be conquered. Major advancements are being made to create a student-oriented education system powered by AI, and the road ahead seems promising.
AR and VR: Augmented and virtual reality are making headlines every other day. But they are not only limited to entertainment and experimentation. Developments are being made to include AR and VR in the education sector as well.
Podcasts: Yes, podcasts are great for leisure and self-education. But what if they become a part of the curriculum? This is not very far from the future. As educational institutions come to understand podcasts, there are opportunities to incorporate podcasts into curricula.
Gamified Learning: Although it was previously thought to be primarily applicable to younger students' education, game developers are now thinking about bringing the world of video games to higher education. Complex concepts can be made easy for everyone to understand with the help of intricate storylines, engaging quizzes, and rewarding systems.
Technology has transformed education in more than one way. The learning process and style of the students today are nothing like what they used to be before. While there are some shortcomings, like the general decline of public libraries or preference for ebooks over paperbacks, the overall positive impact of technology on education is undeniable