Today’s society, more than ever, has become dependent upon technology and the pieces of genius it has brought to fruition over time. In terms of education, technology has provided new horizons in teacher-student communication.
Though the way in which we learn has been noticeably affected by the mass influx of technology in our lives, the way in which educators teach has also been favorably augmented. Take a moment to look over this short synopsis of a few of the most obvious ways in which technology has changed the way we learn.
Individual to collaborative learning
Twenty years ago, the custom of the classroom was very individualistic. Each student did their own work, and collaboration was defined as cheating. Luckily, the world has progressed to more adequately understand the benefit of collaboration, and technology has provided the tools for such communal learning.
In the past, technology was seen by educators as an interruption or a tool for misuse. This is no longer the case, as technology enables and supports a collective cognitive process, socio-emotional learning, and a stronger sense of community among students of all ages.
Professionals are free to enjoy the benefits of collaborative learning, as software applications like Skype and Google Hangouts bring people from all over the world together in an instant. Continued education courses and other professional learning opportunities are just a few clicks away.
Learning has become more active than passive
Passive learning consists of a strictly regulated student-teacher relationship. Textbooks and individual, robotic note-taking result in a more passive way of learning. Technology has shifted education towards a far more active learning regimen.
Students are not encouraged to take a more hands-on approach towards new subject matter. Instead of reading about grasshoppers, teachers can now download an app that allows students to interactively investigate every aspect of the insect. Interactive learning builds memories and ties knowledge to experience.
The beautiful integration of differentiated teaching
The beauty of progression is found in differentiated teaching. It has taken generations, but the nation’s education system has finally taken notice of the fact that we do not all learn the same way. Reading, writing, and arithmetic are not all there is to education.
There are so many different ways to learn a lesson, and technology has helped to employ a wide array of those variations. Technology has enabled teachers to mold their teaching methods to the individual.
Multitasking has evolved to a new level
Multitasking capabilities are at an all-time high. Students can adequately perform two or more actions at once and still benefit from each task. Young minds are working a bit differently. Technology has granted us the ability to compile large amounts of information very quickly.