Technology has brought about a significant revolution in the niche of learning and education. With the advancement of technology, access to knowledge and information has been simplified. Just like in the casino online field, there have been positives and negatives associated with technology in the education field. In this article, we look at the impact of technology on education, considering both positives and negatives.
Advantages of Technology on Education
Technology has introduced lots of positives in the education niche. It has made our learning more interesting and exciting with devices such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, and more. Through technology, teacher’s productivity and efficiency have improved. Automation has also simplified the learning process, making the process of learning, taking exams, and getting results seamless. It has further made information readily available to readers and teachers. These and many other advantages are highlighted in this section.
Teacher Productivity and Efficiency Have Increased
Trainers and teachers use technology to increase their productivity, boost the student’s participation in learning, as well as incorporate valuable digital tools to enhance their students’ learning process. Technology has also enabled teachers to better their teaching methodology and customize their lessons for their students. Education institutions profit from technology by lowering the cost of teaching materials. They no longer need posters, borders, and banners as teaching materials.
Automation
Automation has simplified the learning processes and brought about a lot of convenience. The best example of automation in the education system is where teachers can now upload lessons to LMS (Learning Management System). This way, students can access them on their own time. Using the LMS, teachers can then proceed to post exams online, let the students take these tests within a stipulated time, and get results almost instantly. Parents can also be added to the system and get notified once the results are out.
With such automation, teachers have plenty of free time and can channel it to developing plans to help improve certain areas of their student’s performance.
Instant Availability of Information
Thanks to technology, students and teachers are only a few clicks away from a wealth of information and knowledge. Google, Bing, Yandex, and many other search engines allow learners to access hundreds of thousands of academic articles for free and within seconds. This allows students and teachers to use real-life problems while learning. This way, students have a better understanding of how to solve problems in the real world.
Cons of Technology in Education
Like any other thing in life, technology has its fair share of disadvantages. In the education sector, it poses different challenges, some of which are also positively described above. Below are three challenges technology seems to bring about in the education system worldwide.
Higher Management and Training
Due to the constant change in the technology industry, being effective in delivering lessons and teaching students requires teachers to upgrade their devices and other technological features constantly. This can be quite challenging, especially for teachers with very little knowledge of how technology works.
Additionally, research indicates many teachers feel the internet and other tools used in teaching have increased their workload. There’s now a wide range of topics they must update themselves with to impart education effectively.
Technology Distracts Students
It’s no secret students are spending more time on their smartphones, iPads, laptops, tablets, and other devices today than ever before. They not only do this during their free time but also while they are in class. This brings a lot of distraction and interferes with the concentration of students during learning. While measures are put in restricting students from accessing social media sites, entertainment platforms, and other websites not related to education, VPN and other software make it possible for students to access the blocked platforms.
Technology Has Led to Widespread Cheating
Cheating has been there for decades. However, technology has accelerated the rate at which students indulge in cheating. Many collude with tutors abroad to help them complete assignments and Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs), which contribute significantly to the student’s degree. The result is they graduate as professionals in their respective fields without being academically qualified.
Conclusion
The impact of technology on education can be perceived as positive overall. It has not only made it easy for teachers to deliver quality education to students but also simplified the learning process for learners. However, it’s crucial for both teachers and students to remember that technology is only a tool used in education and not the end in itself. As such, other ways of teaching and learning should be incorporated so that teachers and students get the most out of it.
