Technology and Education

Technically, technology and education are two separate and different concepts. But they are often intertwined and united to complement each other. Technology involves different innovations to make lives better. Education is accumulation of knowledge and skills to make a difference. Technology would not be easily assimilated without education, and vice versa. These days, education systems are particularly more reliant on technology.

Technology has become an influential factor of education. These days, it is even regarded as highly important when it comes to facilitating learning. This is not very surprising. In the past, teaching methods involved overhead projectors and copiers. These days, the advent of computers makes possible lecturing with the aid of PowerPoint presentations. Computers are also becoming important tools that make possible every learning task in and out of the classroom.

Most students and teachers know how to operate computers. This makes online education more possible. Now, technology has put up virtual learning environments that aim to engage and educate students through distance learning. There is no more need to come to formal and traditional classes because teaching methods are already facilitated through the Internet.
Computers also aid teaching and learning methods. Aside from the online capability, computers make learning more enjoyable. It has been observed that more students enjoy learning sessions when they are using computers. The class need not be online. There are formal classes that make use of computers collectively. The multimedia is becoming very popular among students and teachers alike.

Assessment of most students could also be facilitated by technology, specifically computers. A classic example is the ARS or Audience Response System that enables immediate and quick feedback tests aside from interactive classroom discussions. Surveys and evaluations could also be made online for more convenience, accuracy, and confidentiality.

ICTs or information and communication technologies make more things happen. In definition, ICTs make up diverse tools and sets of resources that are principally aimed at communicating, creating, storing, disseminating, and managing information. Such technologies may include of course computers, broadcast technologies, telephony, and the Internet. Through the years, there has been a rising interest at how online media could bolster condition of education at all existing levels, in formal and even non-formal settings.

In the past ICTs have already been in use in aiding education. Older types of ICTs include television and radio. For more than 40 years, those media have effectively been used for distance and open learning. Special TV programs are even aimed at helping students learn more like those classic children’s shows like Sesame Street.

It should be noted that the use of different computer systems and the online media is still in its infancy stage especially in most developing countries. In most cases, use of new technologies in aiding education is hindered and limited due to infrastructure and availability issues. Many governments are starting to allocate significant budgets for integration of technology into education.

Technology is an effective aid to education. It is amusing how students these days could not imagine school without the use of the Internet. Back in the days, learning was only facilitated through manual materials like pens, papers, and blackboards. It is just overwhelming how times have changed. The future holds more promises. It is expected that education would further grow with the advent and introduction of more technologies.