How Important is Technology in Education

The mere fact that technology is the order of the day, is sufficient to highlight the importance of technology. It's probably scary to imagine a life without all the technology around us, as we're so used to it. Using technology in education has become an intense topic of debate, as many scholars and experts are concerned that teaching computers and technology to school-going students can give them access to inappropriate material, and they may become over dependent on technology to learn new things. On the contrary, some believe that if they're not taught the advancement in latest technological developments, they will be unable to compete in this information and communication dominated age.
Technology and Education
Had our forefathers not made revolutionary discoveries and produced series of technological breakthroughs, would our life be like it is today? Would it had been possible for us to gain so much knowledge and exchange information with everyone across the globe? And as our world is developing and global communication is taking a new dimension, technology has a great impact on our society, environment, and life. Without making our children adapt to these growing technological advancements, won't we make a grave mistake? 
Since our children are the builders of tomorrow, they must be in sync with the pace at which our society is transforming. When we focus on the history of technology in education, we find that children who have basic computer literacy and are aware about fundamentals of technology, perform better in their college and graduation years. It is a misconception that technology should only be studied by students who are studying technology-related subjects. The mere fact is that use of technology has spread in every sphere, be it arts, commerce, or science. And while a computer science engineering student needs to be aware of computer programming, an art student is not expected to know computer programming, but certainly has to be aware about using computers easily.
Technology provides a rich and varied experience to students. Online education has become possible only due to the extensive use of technology in schools and colleges. Obtaining online degree programs has become easier by signing up for simple certificate courses. A study conducted by an educational organization suggests that interaction with technology for students in the early years of life is better, as kids have an inherent ability to understand and grasp things faster. Moreover, reading, writing, analytical, and visual skills of children have been found to improve after they've been trained in technology. 
The importance of technology in schools can be attributed to the fact that through interactive video lectures, PowerPoint presentations, and live explanation of science topics, kids have been able to develop a better understanding of various subjects. Video conferencing has made it easier for various schools to help their kids listen to important lectures by their teachers if they are not physically present in classrooms. Special education has become easier after the introduction of technology in educational system for candidates who are unable to be taught some subjects due to physical limitations.
Technology has made the administration process simpler and less ambiguous. School records, attendance, and school database maintenance has become very simple, allowing the schooling system to be simpler. Every job profile in today's work environment demands the use of technology. There are both sides of the use of technology in schools, but if we analyze the pros, then they certainly outweigh the cons, because ultimately technology is a necessity in today's life.

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The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by http://highereducationsss.blogspot.com,  and while we Endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arise out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.

Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of http://highereducationsss.blogspot.com. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.

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How has Technology Changed Education

The omnipresence of technology is both outstanding and overwhelming. It has become our second nature that we use instinctively without even realizing how profound an influence it wields on the various aspects of our life. In this article, we discuss how technology has changed one such important facet, i.e., education.
This millennium stands testimony to the fact that the human mind is one of the new frontiers that we are trying to conquer. Breathtaking technologies are being introduced almost every year, and it seems we're on the way to make our life easier and more comfortable. Education - that is a reflection of the development of a society and is the foundation stone of the bright future of a nation that has undergone drastic changes in the last fifty years.
Positive Effects of Technology on Education
Talking in a positive sense, the impact of technology on education has been phenomenal. Using Internet and computers as en effective medium to establish communication between schools, teachers, students and parents; educational institutes have been able to handle many issues that were previously not handled with ease due to geographical limitations or lack of adequate training technologies.
Enhanced Teaching and Learning
Technological developments like digital cameras, projectors, mind training software, computers, PowerPoint presentations, 3D visualization tools; all these have become great sources for teachers to help students grasp a concept easily. It has to be understood that visual explanation of concepts makes learning fun and enjoyable for students. They're able to participate more in the classroom, and even teachers get a chance to make their classes more interactive and interesting. The importance of technology in schools can be understood from the fact that it empowers the educational system and produces better students.
Confidence Booster
Being exposed to technological wonders like computers and the Internet and learning to operate them from an early age, students are able to develop a sense of self-esteem and confidence. There are many things that students are able to do on their computer that their parents aren't even aware of. This makes them believe that they stand strong in global competition.
Increased Cooperation Among-st Peers
A majority of teachers have stated a very surprising fact that introducing technologies in a classroom has increased peer-to-peer interaction. Many kids who're comfortable in handling computers come out to lend a helping hand to students, who face problems in working on computers. The importance of technology in the classroom goes beyond computers and Internet. They're now, just as important as notebooks and school bags.
Increased Knowledge
Teachers have reported that students who sincerely complete their research projects by referring to the plethora of information available on the Internet are able to develop good analytical and research skills. By referring to a large number of resources, a serious student utilizes his or her common sense and judgment skills to choose the best material and use it as an advantage to complete the project. By getting exposed to numerous ideas for their assignments and the creative ways to finish them, students develop excellent research abilities.
No Geographical Limitations
With the introduction of online degree programs there is hardly any need of being present physically in the classroom. Even several foreign universities have started industry oriented online degree courses that aspirants can join. Distance learning and online education have become an integral part of the education system nowadays. Certainly, the value of off-campus education may never be equal to that of on-campus training but for diploma and other courses, when the student is thousands of miles away from the educational institute, these online courses can be of great advantage.
Negative Effects of Technology on Education
Teachers and scholars across the globe have unanimously stood for integrating technology in education. This is owing to the fact that just like students, even teachers find it easier to circulate study materials by using Internet as a communication tool. Technological developments have made life easier for teachers and students. However, there are other aspects of this that most of us are not familiar with.
Poor Teacher-Student Relationship
Many teachers have a common complaint that negative habits of students are more exacerbated due to the use of technology. In countries like the US, where assignments and homework are required to be submitted online, students tend to forget common email etiquette like salutation and sometimes, even adding texts in the attachments! Moreover, the trend of last day submissions has now transformed into last hour, last minute submissions. Students submit their assignments even hours after the time for submission is over and their emails don't contain any explanation or a note of apology.
Moreover, questions, queries and problems regarding any topic in assignments that should reach to the teacher within 24 hours of submission of the homework, remain due for days. Not many students are even bothered to get their queries cleared. Those few who raise questions want them to be answered online which is not always possible, as teacher - student interaction is something that is vital to understand intricate topics. The trend of blackboards wherein, teachers post online notes, lectures, assignments and other information has cultivated the habit of skipping college lectures among-st students.
The belief that Google is always there, has made students disorganized and impatient. They just want to copy and paste the information, so that they can finish the assignment. Going to the college library, searching for information from books or even online library facilities seems to be a daunting task for students. Teachers have expressed concern that not many students are productively utilizing technology for their growth. Teachers are also concerned about the fact that students don't fix appointments with them to seek answers to queries or to know something more about the subject.
Increasing Incidents of Cheating
Technological developments like graphing calculators, high tech watches, mini cameras and similar equipment have become great sources to cheat in exams. It is easier for students to write formulas and notes on graphing calculators, with least chances of being caught. While vigilance can curb this problem, there seems to be no clue as to how issues of plagiarism and 'cut- copy-paste' can be dealt. 
Lack of Focus
SMS or text messaging has become a favorite pastime of many students. Students are seen playing with their cell phone, iPhones day and night, right from crossing a street, or driving and very often even between lectures. Being ever-connected to the online world has resulted in lack of focus and concentration in academics and to some extent, even in sports and extracurricular activities. It is certainly not possible to read a difficult subject and at the same time, chat with a friend, and remain logged in on Facebook. These are very obvious distractions that have eroded the sense of mental focus, peace and concentration ability from students' life. Video gaming, for instance, has become the greatest distraction for students. Teenagers are easily swayed by gadgets and technology, which also makes them splurge unnecessarily.
Poor Reading and Writing Skills
Reading seems to be a lost hobby in this age. While there is a plentiful of information in the form of free eBooks available on the Internet, anybody who likes reading will agree that reading a book online and reading a printed form of book certainly has some prominent differences. Even if students were reading books online, it would have been fair but the fact is that owing to bombardment of information, the moment a teenager opens a website, he is lost elsewhere, either searching for new games or opening his or her Facebook profile. Since assignments are mostly done online, students are losing their handwriting skills.
It is understandable that in this age of computers, there is hardly any requirement of handwriting skills but still, a good handwriting is an integral part of learning. It improves our eye-to-hand coordination, makes us more focused and gives us an opportunity to express ourselves, more profoundly. Writing skills also convey deeper aspects about our personality like our organizational abilities and ability to express our ideas in a refined manner. Certainly, typing on a keyboard doesn't impair creativity in writing (in fact they are useful, as using a backspace, one can easily change previous sentences). Nevertheless, handwriting skills are certainly an integral part of good education.

Disclaimer:

The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by http://highereducationsss.blogspot.com,  and while we Endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arise out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.

Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of http://highereducationsss.blogspot.com. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.

Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, http://highereducationsss.blogspot.com takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.