Every year progressively, more statistics are being distributed, only to show the decline in pass rates. Educators are currently researching different avenues and approaches that can be taken to alleviate the problem. There is a straightforward solution, Educational Technology.
Currently, there are many people who are of the belief that the use of gadgets such as tablets, smartphones, iPads in the classroom environment serves only as a distraction and adversely affect learning, I firmly stand on the notion that utilizing these tools are the key to curb the learning dilemma that students face and improve educational standards.
The development of technology has created many non-traditional avenues for information to be delivered unto students. As it becomes easier to access the digital content of various mass-media channels, functionality devices and software (whether or not prepared), technology is having an impact on the education sector as we know it.
Students are graduating into a world that is technologically driven. With knowledge of this, the inevitable question arise; “is the present education system adequately preparing students for the real world?”
The reality is a more nuanced - and less homogenous. Today’s technology provides numerous valuable opportunities to the practice of learning skills, preparing students for the real world. According to Adam Webster, education technology blogger, wrote, “The problem with the real world is that it functions at a different pace and in a different way to a school. Schools don’t need to be progressive to be successful, they simply need to produce good results.”
Today, educators are discovering the full potential of computers and technology. While these tools provide vast opportunities, educators will need to adapt to the technological changes in the world and incorporate these tools into the education system. Technology has allowed for exponential changes in various industries, providing competitive advantages that will enable businesses to strive. Consequently, technology must be used to improve the education system.
You cannot create a future by continually looking at the past. How do people learn? By thinking, by practising and by conceptualising and understanding the action of others. However, educators cannot perform these actions for students. To improve learning, students must teach themselves while educators standby to provide guidance and support. Educational technology facilitates learning by demonstrating how certain activities should be done so that students can imitate.
I agree with to Bevil Wooding, founder and director of BrightPath Foundation, he wrote,
“well-intended laptops-in-schools programs or tablets-in-the-class initiatives morph into money-down-the-drain or frustration-in-the-class outcomes.You normally don’t have to scratch too deeply to find that failures can be traced to teachers not being properly oriented or trained; schools not being adequately outfitted, location inappropriate technology being deployed, or relevant digital content not available. However, a deeper exploration usually reveals a common root – leaders who did not sufficiently invest in connecting the dots between vision and implementation.”
Educational technology not only involves programs such as the laptop-in-school program or the tablets-in-the-class initiative; it is also extended to the use Learning Management System (LMS), Online Learning platforms, E-textbooks, including Tablets and Smartphones.
The purpose of education technology is not only to put tablets and laptops in the hands of the students, but it also to offer educators and students an improved learning environment – opening new and better way of learning and teaching. Technology can grant this, but the emphasis should be placed on ongoing educational technology training and enlightenment of the use of these tools for parents, students and teachers.
All stakeholders must be included to improve the education standard; it is an accomplishment that can be achieved once there is the willingness to collaborate the efforts of administration, educators, students, parents and the community.