Impact of Technology on Learning

 Actually what the impact of technology is?

The impact of technology on learning is huge. The ability to have information at your fingertips and interact with other learners from around the world has led to a paradigm shift in how we design, deliver and assess learning. Technology has changed not only what we learn but how we learn it, collaborate with others and communicate our knowledge. This blog post will explore the impact of technology on these aspects of learning as well as some implications for educators (actual or future). 

The most obvious impact technology has on learning is in the delivery of instruction. Using technology allows for individuals to be more engaged, more interactive and less bored. Technology can be used for a variety of purposes ranging from writing assignments to allowing students to interact with videos, images and animations. 

How learning become more interactive and collaborative?

Technology can also enhance learning by providing access to supplemental materials, creating a place for learners to work together (such as in group projects) and connecting learners with others around the world. Learning becomes a more collaborative and interactive process. As an example, students can be on the same learning platform communicating with each other while they research a topic. Technology allows them to share what they have found with each other and work together to create something that is greater than any of them could have created individually. 

Technology has become so important in learning that it can be used as a diagnostic tool for educators as well as for students (more on this in a later blog post). Technology allows for the creation of portfolios and blogs to share at a very low cost. 

When looking at how technology impacts learning, it is important to also look at how technology impacts communication and collaboration. When using an online course, students are communicating and collaborating in a different manner than they are likely accustomed to. In most online courses, students have the option of interacting in discussion forums, commenting on a blog post or responding to an email when a question is posed.

Examples of innovative educational technology

• Digital readers and tablets: Increasingly, schools are looking to replace the bulkier hard-copy textbooks with digital ones that are accessible via a tablet.

• 3D printing: 3D printers have been able to create anything from car parts to artificial organs. In the classroom setting, 3D printing can create hands-on models that students can investigate and interact with. For example, students could learn about the geography of an area by observing a 3D map of it.

• Virtual reality: Uses for this technology in the classroom is to take students on virtual field trips to places otherwise inaccessible. For example, a student could take a virtual field trip to ancient Egypt or to the bottom of the ocean.

• Gamification: Students learn better when they’re having fun. The use of gaming in the classroom applies this concept by tying together the fun part of play with the content and concepts that students must learn.

• Cloud technology: In education, the cloud is used to store and share digital textbooks, lesson plans, videos, and assignments. It’s also used to give students the opportunity to chat live with their instructors and other classmates.

• Artificial intelligence: AI is making its way into the educational sphere by means of automating grading and feedback and providing personalized learning opportunities.

• Mobile technology: Rather than banning cell phones and other mobile devices from use during class, some schools are incorporating this technology into the learning process through educational apps.