What is Technology in Education?

The digital age has revolutionized every aspect of our daily lives, and education is no exception.

The computer age replaced the industrial age. Hence, education faces new challenges and needs.

This phenomenon is part of the digital transformation that has brought the incorporation of technology into education, also known as “educational technology.”

The incorporation of new technologies into schools has changed educational methods to such an extent that spaces for digital culture are opening up in classrooms.

However, this explanation is insufficient to understand today’s impact, so it is necessary to demonstrate its contemporary impact.

In this article, you will learn about some of the most important advances in this field and the future predictions of educational technology.

What is the role of technology in education?

Educators solve educational problems through the use of information technology, i.e., the use of computers and other telecommunications equipment to:

• Store
• Transmit
• And process data

In other words: We understand educational technology as the use of technological devices for educational purposes.

Nowadays, teachers have the opportunity to access:

• The Internet
• Computers
• Digital whiteboards
• Cell phones
• And tablets to organize lessons and assignments

These devices have made it possible to adapt teaching methods to the digital age. For the same reason teachers and students have a greater number of teaching and learning tools at their disposal.

The use of new technologies, which incidentally also open up new ways of playing and expressing themselves, such as games and blogs, means that students can access much more information.

What are the pillars of educational technology?

The creation of new educational models is based on the notion that the future of our society depends on three technological areas, namely:

1. Programming
2. Robotics
3. 3D printing

These are the pillars of educational technology:

Programming

Programming education goes beyond preparing students for a technical field of work. It also solves problems that by learning to identify errors in complex issues.

Programming education works by promoting the learning of:

• Logic
• Creativity
• Solution finding
• Entrepreneurship

Robotics

Robotics deals with programming a device or robot by giving it a set of instructions that it can then carry out on its own.

In effect, programming a robot allows students to recognize programming errors and their limitations.

Learning this subject offers a solution to the growing demand for science and technology jobs in the digital age. Therefore, people capable of programming such devices will be in great demand.

3D printing

3D printing is becoming increasingly important for creating models or prototypes in various aspects of life.

Medicine, engineering, textile industry and other fields successfully use this technology, but we can also use it in geography and art.

Thanks to 3D printing, students not only learn about new technologies and their application, but also can understand complex theories through examples.

What changes has technology brought to education?

Just a few years ago, pupils and students could only learn face-to-face. They had large amounts of books and notebooks. Manually searching for information took much more time. Information on paper was a necessity.

Technology has brought with it the ability to study online, making education easier to access in terms of time and place.
Finding information is much easier, and huge databases can be accessed quickly.

Nowadays, people can access information from any smart device and even attend classes via video call.

Creating projects is easier because technology has spawned new tools that replace paper. In short, technology in education has made learning:

• Easier
• More convenient
• More accessible

The digital age is not stopping, so it’s important for teachers and professionals to keep up with new technology to prepare their students.

What changes has technology brought to education?

Just a few years ago, students could only learn face-to-face. They had large volumes of books and notebooks, and manually searching for information was much more time-consuming. Paper-based information was essential.

Technology brought with it the ability to:

• Study online
• Making education easier to access in terms of time and place
• Finding information is much easier
• Vast databases can be accessed quickly

Nowadays, one can access information from any smart device and even participate in lectures via video stream.

Creating projects is much easier as technology has spawned new tools that replace paper. Technology in education has made learning easier, more convenient, and even more affordable.

What are the benefits of technology in education?

The benefits of educational technology are numerous.

Students can interact, play and learn on different platforms, which promotes a participatory atmosphere in the classroom. They can also learn remotely and at flexible times, tailoring their lessons to their needs.

Teachers have excellent organizational, planning, and teaching tools at their disposal, which saves a lot of time.

Technology platforms can engage the entire school staff as students share concerns, teachers manage their classes, and educators monitor class results.

Educational technology can help school staff keep up with their students and respond to their needs. Educational software is available to identify the risk of dropping out of school early to support students.

It’s also worth noting that using educational technology can save money in the long run and is also environmentally friendly, as classroom supplies and even transportation to attend classes may not be necessary.

What are the challenges of educational technology?

The application of technological tools and solutions in education faces challenges that must be addressed.

The benefits of using technology are obvious, but they also come with responsibilities. Adapting to change is the main task of any educational institution.

The methodology of education has changed, as the student no longer learns by memorizing, but rather by searching, analyzing and interpreting information.

With the introduction of technology in the classroom, teachers and students learn to work together.

Teachers must be trained in the use of new technologies in order to incorporate them into their teaching. Teachers must be constantly updated with the latest technologies in order to provide quality education.

We must not forget that the digital era requires a paradigm shift in which students are no longer being prepared for an industrial world but for a computerized world.

Homework and assessment systems must be adapted to technologies so that students can meet the challenges of today’s reality. Teachers must be constantly updated in technological advances in order to provide quality education.

What are some examples of educational technology tools?

Now that we have learned about the basic pillars of educational technology, it is time to discuss the most commonly used tools at the moment.

The first of these systems is known as LMS (Learning Management System), a tool that manages learning and studying online.

The different activities can be managed, distributed and assessed in a virtual learning environment, the idea being that learning is accessible, flexible, user-friendly and involves all school staff.

Another tool is virtual reality. In education, this offers the opportunity to recreate scenarios like:

• The human body
• Historical landscapes
• Places in the world
• Extinct animals

Students have access to a virtual heritage that allows them to learn from experience.

Students and teachers also have access to educational video games that train memory, logical thinking, concentration, spatial orientation, and coordination.

These experiences will help students develop skills useful for careers in:

• Engineering
• Art
• Architecture

Finally, in the upper grades, students will master tools of curricular value. Organizational tools that allow for instant file sharing, communication and discussion platforms. Also, programs that they will use in their future careers.

What can we expect from educational technology in the future?

The digital era is moving fast and fast, and technology focused on education cannot and should not be left behind.

One of the most important aspects to focus on is the management of student education processes. Student monitoring and review is an important factor in the incorporation of technology into any classroom.

In the end, technological tools are focusing on providing solutions for student monitoring and, above all, so that students can learn and adapt to the constant changes in technology.

Another aspect is that students no longer have to follow the pace dictated by the teacher, which eliminates part of the student’s stress related to learning.

The student develops skills in personalized way

Simplicity, monitoring and user adaptation are the main aspects on which educational technology can focus for the innovation of new tools and new methods of working in the future.

It is predicted that educational technology tools will find space in mobile telephony in a much better way than they do today.

Banning these devices from classrooms will be a thing of the past. Training teachers who are capable of creating educational content for the cell phone will be a necessity.

Another area of opportunity for education technology is artificial intelligence. The development of this technology has grown rapidly, but its implementation in classrooms will take a little longer.

Its drive can focus on better intelligent tutoring systems. We can imagine cognitive tutors that mimic the role of teachers, so they will guide lessons in different disciplines.

We can think of virtual teaching that will offer solutions when students present learning problems.

There are already platforms or programs that practice the role of a teacher, but the development of artificial intelligence will reach new levels.

The prognosis is clear: these kinds of tools will be a central element in teaching methods.

The benefits will be numerous, but educational institutions will have to complement advanced artificial intelligence in their face-to-face learning models and interaction with other people.

How? It’s up to us to find out.

Conclusion

The education sector is in a process of transition. Society is moving from an industrial mindset to a fully computerized approach.

People’s everyday lives are changing and they are confronted with new tools that make the old ways of doing business disappear.

An example of this is the success of online shopping, but also the approach to businesses through social media. Such daily interactions with technology have changed the world and so have educational methods.

Schools need to leave behind the old paradigms that prepare people for a world that no longer exists, i.e. an industrial society.

The way the school manages time, the division of subjects, the bureaucracy of the school itself, and the hierarchy between administration, teachers and students is an anticipation of what the student would expect in an industrial world.

Technological development has brought about a change in mentality and therefore a change in the structure of education.

An education system based on educational technologies that takes into account people’s needs and offers solutions to the challenges of the present is essential.

Education that does not focus on memorization, but on analysis, concentration and decision-making. Educational technology offers simple tools that can be adapted to the needs of the students and the society in which they develop.

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