10 ways technology has impacted education today

Technology has changed almost every area of our lives today. Here are 10 ways it has impacted education.

The idea of standing in a library for hours, looking for a particular book isn’t as appealing as it used to be – nor is it even necessary for most of us. Technology has made information-sourcing a lot easier, and e-libraries are ideal examples of how technology has improved education.

As a student, you need technology to get the resources to write an academic essay. To learn how to write cause and effect essay or other papers, you can find valuable material through a quick Google search. 

Decades ago, it wasn’t so simple. But nowadays, you can find all the information you need to write your articles with a few clicks. That is the power of the internet – the crowning achievement of technology.

To understand why technology is vital to education, let’s discuss how it has changed academia.

1) Faster problem solving

Today, technology has sped-up the learning process by improving the efficiency of data arrangement and record-keeping. Modern technological advancements like WIFI and advanced hardware solutions have also improved teaching methods. These tools also help students learn and draw solutions faster.

Moreover, advancements in technology have reshaped how quickly students can solve problems too. We have moved to complex calculators from the abacus. Technology has boosted critical thinking, and society is benefitting from it.

2) Accessible learning

In the past, students had to be physically present to learn. They had to take long walks to distant schools to receive a quality education. College students had to endure long commutes to their campuses.

However, the paradigm has since shifted. The year 2020 was a defining moment for education and life in general. The lockdown forced schools to adopt advanced technologies for operations. And nowadays, students conveniently receive lectures from the comfort of their homes. 

And video conferencing tools like Zoom and Skype made the smooth transition possible. As a result, online schooling has broken all the educational barriers. With such a versatile option, students have continued to learn without interruption. 

Moreover, technology has made education cheaper and more accessible than ever. Students from developing countries can save travel costs and learn from their locale. From having an LSAT tutor for getting a law degree, to virtually all other areas of education, students can now study, take exams, and bag degrees from across continents.

3) Improved academic writing

Since computers replaced typewriters, writing has become simpler. Students no longer have to go through the physical stress of pushing typewriter carriages after every line. This improved writing experience has made long essays and projects bearable.

The quality of written pieces has now improved due to numerous writing tools for students that help to structure their words correctly. And with these AI-powered programs, scholars can write more compelling essays.

Besides, the implementation of technology fosters inclusivity as writers can adjust texts to suit people with visual disabilities. And for people with visual impairment, braille and other assistive technology facilitate their learning processes.

4) Information explosion

Students use the internet to find all sorts of information. This technology aspect gives them a front-row seat to view the world. Educational materials, ranging from scholarly journals to tutorial videos, are now available online.

To leverage the internet’s power, you just need access to a browser and an internet connection. You can search for the data you need to aid your learning. Technology has made communication and data so available that people can choose their preferred medium.

This advancement contrasts with the traditional way that students used to learn. Now they can listen to audiobooks to assimilate information faster. 

Other online learning mediums include:

  • Niche-specific websites;
  • Blogs;
  • Academic forums;
  • Video-sharing platforms.

5) Changed student-teacher communication

Online learning platforms have changed the interaction between students and teachers. But this new development has split public opinion. While some people say it is a good thing, others think technology has worsened student-teacher communication.

On the one hand, some students do not feel motivated to ask their teachers questions during online classes. We can chalk this lack of involvement down to the flurry of options. Students now think that they can get better answers from the internet anyway.

On the other hand, video conferencing, email services, and social media have eased communication. When students have questions at home, they can easily text or call their teachers. This accessibility promotes fruitful student-teacher relationships.

6) Better interactions

Tech like video aids, audiobooks, and virtual tours have changed the educational landscape. Traditionally, students sit back and listen to lectures in class. And when they have questions, only then can they communicate. 

But with the advent of technology, teaching and learning have become more interactive. Students now have to participate actively in class. Besides, teachers can use advanced performance tracking systems to monitor students’ performance.

7) Personalized learning experiences

The teaching methods that work for one student might be entirely useless to another. Individual differences have made inventors create different mediums for each student.

These mediums ensure that teachers use their students’ preferred learning methods to teach. The flexible and personalized experiences foster creativity in students. It also helps them adapt to learning with different tools.

8) Computer-based tests

Technology has encouraged schools to move away from using paper gradually. Today, computers are used to conduct tests. Instead of harming the environment through the use of paper, we have moved to sustainable learning methods.

Moreover, computer programs can now test students’ knowledge of academic material. It is also more efficient because it doesn’t require constant supervision.

As innovative as this technology has been, it also has some drawbacks. Its primary limitation is that it doesn’t give room for flexibility. Computer-based tests are objective tests and are not the most effective ways to measure students’ creativity.

9) Help for students with learning disabilities

Traditional education has a rigid classroom structure. Every student had the same learning encounter, regardless of their background. While some students can function in this environment, others can’t.

However, technology improves a school’s capacity to address students’ issues. Presently, students with mobility, hearing, speech, or sight disabilities can enjoy education at the highest level. 

Technology brought braille to the visually impaired. It also gave hearing aids to the hearing impaired and tools for special needs students.

All the factors mentioned above prove that tech provides a suitable environment for everyone. It has positively impacted education in many ways. And its role in improving our capacity to establish ideal learning conditions is remarkable.

Technology has revolutionized modern learning

Technology has improved education for both students and teachers. Everyone has nearly unlimited access to information nowadays. Further advancements aim to drive the cost of adopting technology in schools even lower than ever.

While there are some drawbacks, we cannot ignore the positive impacts of technology on education. Tech has become almost inseparable from teaching, and the reasons are worth it. Appreciating technology’s impacts on education will spur its adoption and refinement worldwide.