Is Technology making an Impact on Education?

The use of advanced technology in educating students had made a significant impact in learning process. The process of learning in the classroom can become significantly richer as students have access to new and different types of information, can manipulate it on the computer through graphic displays or controlled experiments in ways never before possible and also can communicate results and conclusions in a variety of media to their teacher. Lecture is not only the medium for educating the students now a day. A teacher needs to have knowledge about technology in order to educate students. For example; a teacher should use PowerPoint slides, projectors, videos, etc. to teach students. And students should not only use books as a reading material but they should also gain knowledge through online posts like journal and articles.

The use of technology in education has been steadily growing in the United States with a recent push from the Federal, State and Local Education Agency levels. Due to highly use of modern technology, the use of technology in the classroom became a necessary. Students will not be interested to learn through just lecture only. In order to teach these modern, smart and technological students, teachers need to use technological appliances as well.

Following are the stages which show the improvement in the effectiveness of technology in the classroom:

·       Entry: Learn the basics of using the new technology

·       Adoption: Use of new technology to support old instruction

·       Adaptation: Integrate new technology into traditional classroom practice. They focus on increased student productivity by using word processors, spread-sheets, and graphic tools.

·       Appropriation: Focus on cooperative, project based and interdisciplinary work

·       Invention: Discover new uses of technology tools

After the adaptation stage, technology becomes more than just a tool for presenting the curriculum and transitions into an extention of the instructor and the student.
Reference:http://www.macinstruct.com/node/7

Technology and Learning Process

In the past, learning and education simply means meeting face-to-face, taking lectures in class, reading books or printed handouts, taking notes and completing assignments generally in the form of answering questions or writing essays.  Before, we can’t imagine education, learning and teaching without a teacher, books and chalkboards. Today, technology gave a new meaning. Computers are an essential part of every classroom and teachers. Teachers use PowerPoint slides, audio, video, projectors, etc. to teach their students. In this generation, a teacher who was not familiar with current technology is considered as boring and can be replaced as well.  

Technology plays a vital role in the field of education. Education is essential in corporate and academic settings. Before, education used to help workers to do things differently than they did before. Now a days, education is creating curiosity in the minds of students. The use of technology helped students understand and learn concepts in better way. Research shows that the students who use technology become an active participants compare to the ones who receive instructions or information. With the help of technology, teachers can establish reliability in what they are teaching. Web based tools can be used for providing demonstrations and examples that can help students establish confidence in what they are learning. Technology help people to learn from different locations. Learners are not required to gather at a set time or place in order to learn and receive instructions and information. They can just stay at home or office and gather information and lecture online. It also allows students to work together and communicate even though they are inaccessible in their own space. 
Reference: http://importanceofmoderntechnology.com/how-important-is-technology-in-education-today/

Technology plays a very important role in our day-to-day life. Technology changed the way students learn and how instructors teach. Computers are replaced by chalkboards as a go-to tool in classrooms today. Now only in the higher level of education but it is part of education for children of all ages. It is our part of daily lives.  As technology continues to evolve, it brings with it new opportunities and challenges for educators and students. Social networking is a great example of technology that can help or hinder education depending on how it is used and integrated into teachining plans. Privacy and security are two concerns that can come with using social networking in classroom. It may become distraction to the students or even a tool used for bullying.

However, using social networking as part of the learning process can also have benefits. Students can easily connect with faculty and other students when they are communicating through social networking. It also affords students the opportunity to collaborate and work together in a whole new way. College students are highly connected to technology including social networking through their smart phones, laptops, and tablets. Therefore, technology plays a vital part in educating people. 

Reference: http://source.southuniversity.edu/technologys-influence-on-education-76874.aspx