Technology Is Opening The Doors To A Never-Ending Array Of Opportunities For Students
Try to imagine your life without the presence of technology. From the moment you wake up till the moment you go back to sleep after a tiring day’s play, you are surrounded by technology.
Whether it be leisure or work, the technological revolution has impacted every facet of our life.
One sector that is profoundly impacted by changing technology is the education sector. The first thought that comes to mind when you mix technology with innovation is disruption and distraction.
However, instead of being a hassle, if used correctly, technology can help open doors to a never-ending array of opportunities for students. The good news is that teachers and schools alike understand this.
This might explain why, according to the Journal, 95 percent of teachers use technology in some way in their classrooms. As per a survey conducted in 2013 by Harris Interactive, 89 percent of teachers attribute improved class performance with the rise of technology.
Here is how technology can open doors for students.
1. Increased Engagement And Participation
Many dub technology to be the future of education. And instructors agree. In fact, according to Teach hub, 74 percent of teachers believe that technology plays an essential role in keeping students engaged and motivated.
By improving engagement and participation rates, technology opens new doors for students. How so?
Well, the more engaged the students are, the more likely they are to retain the information discussed.
Merely Getting A Degree Doesn’t Guarantee Success. It’s the knowledge that you learn along the way that comes in handy. And this is precisely what technology ensures. Whether it be smart boards, the introduction of virtual reality in classrooms, or tablets, each gadget makes classrooms “fun.”
For instance, many private schools in Silicon Valley are now opting to incorporate educational games as well as videos into the curriculum.
This is likely to change the perception that people have regarding schools. Rather than restricting students to conventional methods of learning, the addition of technology makes learning more dynamic and hence fruitful.
2. Ability To Experiment Among Various Subjects
One of the worst things about growing up and passing high school is the looming decision that you had to make regarding your entire life. That’s right! A career choice.
Some might say that it is pretty ironic that one has to make such hard choices in life before they become proper adults.
Previously, the college majors you pick to end up dictating the choices of career you can have later on. But this is not the case anymore. The rise of technology doesn’t just refer to the various gadgets that are now at the disposal of both students and teachers. It also refers to the depth and reach of the internet.
As per Live Internet Stats, there are almost 4 billion internet users. That accounts for 40 percent of the world’s population. The fact that such a wide variety of people are online means that there is an influx of content.
For a student, this means that they can explore a variety of subjects online. Get online certifications. Make use of short courses. This way, you will learn about the various fields and make informed career choices.
Doing so is much likely to ensure satisfaction than throwing darts in the dark. The autonomy to experiment with different subjects can help students in finding their reckoning.
3. Boosting Active Learning
The traditional classroom model is flawed in one significant way- it promotes passive learning. It is quite easy to zone out in the middle of a monotonous lecture. Think about the number of lectures you have listened to over the years. How many of them can you recall?
The chances are that you only remember the lectures that featured engaging speakers.
Even if the instructor tries to encourage active participation, the chances are that it will be limited to a few students.
But, the technology guarantees a better rate of active participation. Rather than just listening to seemingly never-ending lectures, technology, like apps and tablets, promote active participation. Therefore, students find it easier to listen and hence retain the knowledge needed to thrive.
4. Developing Collaboration And Teamwork
Yes, classrooms, by default, encourage collaboration and teamwork. However, you are still limited to a handful of people within your class. Technology opens you to the whole world.
Online courses and platforms often involve project works that require collaboration with other students — this aids in instilling soft skills, ranging from negotiation to collaboration.
By helping students learn the art of communication and knowledge sharing, technology plays a vital role in grooming skills that one requires to flourish in the corporate world.
5. Instant Access To New Information
New concepts are now disrupting long-held beliefs and practices. Take any field of the world; the chances are that the modern landscape has severely impacted its operations.
For instance, standardization of services has long been replaced by the demand for customization. This has given rise to decentralized organizational structures compared to centralized ones.
To thrive in today’s world, students need to keep up with the changing world. Since technology delivers instant access to new information, it ensures that students are well-informed of all relevant trends.
6. The Convenience Of Online Degrees
There was a time when you had to choose between starting your career early on and getting a higher degree.
Technology has erased this barrier. Now, students can enjoy both. Modern technology has reached such a stage that now many can get degrees without leaving the comforts of their houses!
As a student, you can experiment and choose the degree that best appeals to you.
Verdict
All in all, technology has opened a whole new world for students. Everything now is highly accessible. Education and knowledge are up for grabs for all curious minds. For the inquisitive souls, there can’t be a better time to be alive than this decade.