When I was a kid, the computer room was the only real implementation of technology that aided me with my learning process in school. I remember looking forward to spending time in the computer room with my class. But as fun as it was to play online games when the teacher wasn't looking, kids today definitely have it better.
Today, many classrooms across colleges and universities are outfitted with Chromebooks or tablets instead of notebooks and pencils. Also, teachers are using a variety of new media to interact with students. As a self-proclaimed tech nerd, I'm jealous of the early exposure students have to technology.
In spite of what some may think, technology isn't just a big distraction. The technology being utilised in schools is actually improving the learning process. Below, I've listed some of my favourite technologies and I explain how they help kids learn.
Online Video
I'm a big fan of YouTube. And I'm also a big fan of some of the
educational YouTube channels as well.
Since many of these YouTube channels are so entertaining, a lot of children are unknowingly (with the help of their parents) consuming educational content outside of the classroom. It is a reason why they call it "edutainment".
Some teachers are even using these videos as teaching aids inside the classroom as well. If more teachers did this, schools could significantly cut back on teaching materials.
Tablets
When the original iPad was first announced, there was already a buzz about how the new technology might impact the classroom. As time went on, developers created all sorts of
apps to help people study.
But the one thing tablets became really popular for was its use as a reading device. Now, I know that there is some physical book purist out there that can't stand the idea of e-books but let's be realistic. Utilising e-books greatly reduces the weight of backpacks and it keeps all of a child's books in one place.
With Apple's recent release of the iPad Pro, I can see even more potential for iPads in the classroom. The peripherals released alongside the iPad Pro (i.e the Apple pencil and the keyboard) means that an iPad could be the only thing a child will need at school.
Knowledge at our Fingertips
Thanks to Google, the world's information is at our fingertips at all times. Some may see this as a sort of dumbing down of people but I disagree. By allowing trivial things to be searchable, curriculums can be centered around solving complex problems and critical thinking.
When my parents talk about their experience in school they complain about how they used to memorise dates in history class or recollect trivial information in science. Knowing these things never made anyone smarter.
High Speed Internet
When the internet first came out to the public many people were unfazed. I can't blame them either. At the time, there wasn't much you could do on it. And it was rather slow too.
Even I had to deal with dial-up internet growing up and I don't know how I ever got anything done. Fortunately for us, the internet is getting much faster. It makes me wonder how we ever survived a time when only dial-up was available.
Online Learning
Perhaps the most important thing technology has done to the traditional educational model was the introduction of online learning. I don't know if we'll ever get to a place where the entire education system is conducted online. But the more we move towards that model, the better off we will be.
Tuition fee have risen so high that many people simply can't afford a traditional education. Much of the cost associated with going to university goes to the infrastructure. Classrooms, dormitories, and property are costly to own and maintain. And students have to pay this bill.
Thankfully
The Learning Station offers several courses that you can learn at home in your own time. And they're available at competitive prices too.
If you want to further your education and your skills for a better quality of life, then why don't you register with us.
What other ways has technology improve your life? Tell us all about it in the comments section.
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