Understanding Technology for Education

 

Niño Estolas, M.Ed.

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Some define technology for education are merely tools and technological applications are countless.

What matters more is how technology is applied.

Several uses of the same technology might be produced, even or especially in education. So, it is essential to take into account all of the potential uses when evaluating a technology's value. Simply expressed, this means emphasizing media—which demonstrate a more extensive use of technologies—rather than particular tools or technologies, but still recognizing that technology is an essential component of almost all media.

Therefore, by concentrating on media, we may include face-to-face instruction as a medium and make comparisons with more technologically focused media along a number of dimensions or qualities. Face-to-face instruction, text, (still) pictures, audio (including speech), video, and computing are the six main components of media. It should be noted that in education, these aspects are generally used in combination (including animation, simulations and virtual reality). The formats, symbols, and cultural values of various media vary. The words used more frequently to characterize these distinct traits are media affordances or technological affordances.

As a result, different media can be used to aid students in learning in different ways and achieving different goals, furthering customized learning. Some technological improvements are comparable while others are dissimilar along a range of factors.  By concentrating on these aspects, we may analyze new media and technologies, determine how they "fit" within the current environment, and assess any potential advantages or drawbacks for teaching and learning.

There are undoubtedly additional qualities or aspects of instructional media that may be noted, these three essential qualities or aspects are the most crucial: synchronous vs. asynchronous, single vs. rich media, and broadcast vs. communicative. The way a particular medium is created, however, will typically determine where it falls along any given characteristic or dimension.

In addition, there is typically a limit to how far a technology can be pressed along one of these dimensions; provided the technology is well-designed, there will likely be a single, "natural" position on each dimension for maximizing the educational benefits of the medium. A new educational medium or application may make it feasible to attain goals that were not previously thought to be conceivable. The targeted learning objectives and outcomes must therefore be considered while evaluating these aspects or attributes of the media.

Media have evolved throughout time to become more communicative, asynchronous, and 'rich,' giving educators and students more effective tools for instruction and learning. The Internet is a very potent medium because it can incorporate all the qualities and facets of educational media through the use of a variety of tools and media.

Nevertheless, there are difficulties with using and implementing educational technology. For instance, public sectors have less than 10% of schools report having AR, AI, and other emerging technology in their classrooms, despite increased interest in its use. Overuse of screens, instructors' ability to use technology effectively, and questions about technology equity are other issues.

Also, the content issue has come to light as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. In order to enable students to examine a subject from a variety of perspectives, teachers should be able to develop and comment on online educational content. Due to the hasty decisions made during this crisis, there wasn't enough time for this. Accessibility is also a problem; for instance, not all schools have the resources to provide students with computers, and internet connectivity in homes may be problematic.

Despite the fact that some students thrive in online learning environments, others struggle for a variety of reasons, such as a lack of support services. For example, a student who previously had difficulty in face-to-face situations would have considerably more problems now. These students may have used resources that aren't accessible to them at home anymore.

Nonetheless, research has shown that when given the opportunity, students frequently demonstrate confidence in pursuing online education. Online learning, however, may pose challenges for teachers, particularly in areas where it is not yet the norm. Besides the challenges and problems, it's important to acknowledge the positive effects of technology on education, including improved collaboration and communication, higher academic standards, and interesting lessons that foster students' intellectual curiosity and creative thinking.

Students Engaged Through Technology

Technology in the classroom may increase student engagement. Learners develop from 1:1 initiative in schools because technology may be more easily incorporated into the curriculum.

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In order to allow students to respond digitally to questions and lectures, many teachers employ interactive software and programs as learning technology. Also, as students’ progress through skills and earn badges, gamified learning makes learning enjoyable and engaging.

You might be wondering what "student involvement" actually entails. It's a valid question that academicians studying education are still debating. It is significant to understand how it differs from participation. A student can participate in class even if they are not very interested in the subject matter. They might raise their hands and respond to questions with answers they are familiar with, but it doesn't necessarily mean they have considered the material. A student in math class, for instance, could be able to answer problems rapidly using a formula, but they might not comprehend why the method works or how to use it in other situations. In contrast, meaningful learning is a component of student engagement.

This digital technology is increasingly used to deliver material, link students, and allow anytime, anywhere learning is growing however, it can be difficult to keep students interested in technology-mediated learning. If we want to use digital instructional technology effectively, we must use instructional approaches that promote more engagement. 

Components of Engagement.

• Behavioral Engagement - It is when a student's involvement in their education, including both academic and extracurricular activities as well as social ones.

• Emotional Engagement- Includes students' feelings in the classroom and among the school community or a sense of belonging or connectedness to the school.

• Cognitive Engagement- This is the investment of a student in their education including their motivation and self-regulation.

Elements Affecting Students' Participation.

• Teacher - This refers on the interaction style, level of support, responsiveness, and behavioral and academic expectations

• School - It is more on the physical environment such as classroom layout, noise levels, and lighting levels, as well as the way the institution supports and corrects students.

• Family - This refers to the student's living situation, the degree of parental involvement in and support of their education, and familial ties.

• Curriculum and Resources - Refers on the things like learning task factors including level of difficulty, interest, and meaningfulness, learning goals and objectives, and assessment methods, as well as the availability and type of learning resources including education technology.

Collaborative Learning Through Technology

Students can communicate and save their work more easily because of technology.

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Traditionally, when students worked together, they might have made posters or notes documenting their collaborative efforts. Students can now develop digital libraries of research and concepts through the use of technology. The same tool allows them to write and draw simultaneously, resulting in fully collaborative documents and projects.  

A pedagogical strategy known as collaborative education is one that emphasizes student interaction and group learning. This method deviates from the conventional format of knowledge passing from teacher to student in a single direction. Instead, in a collaborative setting where they gain knowledge from their peers, students participate in the teaching process. The use of distance learning helped to pave the way for an education system that is more reliant on technology.

In order to sustain some type of collaborative learning, educators have to adapt and use more technological tools and to sustain collaborative learning settings at home, online learning platforms like Google Classroom and Microsoft Teams were widely used. These tools made it simple for students to collaborate on documents with their classmates and teachers. The learning process also included virtual breakout rooms, which allowed students to divide into smaller groups to work on a task or project, promoting a more interesting peer-to-peer learning environment.

Students are able to collaborate on a single assignment toward a common objective by using technology in collaborative learning.

Students can select the activities they want to participate in, such as quizzes, games, or movies, while communicating with their friends, depending on their learning preferences and interests.

Collaborative education also supports social and emotional learning. Students gain experience with effective communication, teamwork, and leadership skills through collaborative projects. These values should be ingrained in students from K–12 in order to prepare them for the collaborative workplaces of today.

Teachers can give a more dynamic learning experience by utilizing technology to facilitate a collaborative approach to teaching.

Courses can be modified to meet the needs of each student. Using online resources enables students to pursue interests and work at their own speed while communicating with classmates.

This cooperative learning environment will contribute to improved educational outcomes because students learn best when they are having fun.

Social Inclusion Through Technology

Technology has made it possible for certain students to engage in the classroom in ways they never have before thus any students who receive special education may benefit from technology that makes it possible for them to write, spell, read, and conduct mathematical calculations and the word processors could be used to point out spelling mistakes to students (Adio, M. 2022).

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With a connection to their current world, active pedagogies put the student at the center of the learning process and engage them actively. This boosts their desire to learn and makes them more engaged in the process of their academic and personal growth. Learning is more engaging for students, and they have a greater understanding of how concepts relate to their surroundings.

As a result, they grow in their knowledge and skills in a unique and independent manner. For example, the use of mobile learning, or the use of mobile technology as educational tools, is promoted as a fantastic tool for democratizing learning since it makes it simple and affordable to access educational materials and content in a variety of media (text, video, audio, etc.) and at various times and locations.

Differentiation Through Technology

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Students now have instant access to a wide range of activities and information sources. Instead of travelling to the library, where resources could be scarce, teachers can find leveled readers much easier and students can choose research topics that suit their interests.

In order for students to analyze or further explore a topic, teachers might also assign programs to help students improve or broaden their knowledge. This activity can be completed in groups or during centers, leaving the teacher to focus on one student at a time or other small groups. This use of technology makes certain that each student receives what they require.

Differentiating instruction has always been a practice of effective teachers. Differentiated education is simply responsive teaching, in which the teacher recognizes the requirements of each of his students and adjusts the curriculum accordingly.

The knowledge base that a student will investigate becomes the "content," the method by which a student gains access to knowledge is the "process," and the evaluation of the student's mastery of a subject is the "product" of learning.

Planning differentiated instruction has a lot of advantages, one of which is that it encourages teachers to learn more about the unique needs and abilities of each student. The teacher-student relationship can be strengthened by paying attention to it. Also, focusing on the classroom setting improves the context for teaching.

In addition, by fulfilling students' needs and providing them with the crucial prerequisite skills and knowledge needed to grasp content, catering to students' readiness to learn promotes academic growth. The use of technology in special education encompasses a wide range of applications like assistive technology, adaptive technology, and the basic use of computers for instruction.

Productivity and Creativity Through Technology

Opportunities for collaboration and communication have also risen due to advances in technology.

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While some believe that restricting technology can improve attention and productivity, the reality is that the same technology can be used effectively to make most activities simpler and faster with some discipline and effort.

In the past, classrooms have been somewhat solitary places where students could only collaborate with those in their own class or building. Modern technology makes it possible to communicate and work together in ways that were before unimaginable. Facebook, Messenger, Zoom, Google Meet and Google Docs are some examples of technological platforms that students can use to collaborate on group assignments. The boundaries of the classrooms are no longer an impediment because technology has made it possible to learn, communicate, and collaborate in new ways.

Today, we see the teacher's role changing to that of a "guide on the side" in many classrooms as students take more responsibility for their own learning by using technology to gather relevant data. This is due to the access to information and educational opportunities that technology has made possible.

Technology is a dynamic element that can assist and improve education in a variety of ways, from making it simpler for teachers to develop lesson plans to opening up new avenues for individual and group learning. A new era of education that can take place whenever and wherever is emerging thanks to the internet's global reach and the prevalence of smart gadgets that can connect to it. 

Future Focus Through Technology

Although we are unsure of the types of occupations that will occur when many of our students become adults and begin entering the workforce, we do know that technology is here to stay.

To succeed in whatever job or career they choose to pursue after graduation, students will require excellent technological abilities. A student's future can be affected by just adopting a mindset that values studying and utilizing new technology.

References:

• _{American University (2020). How Important Is Technology in Education? Benefits, Challenges, and Impact on Students.}
• _{Australian Christian College (2020). How education technology improves student engagement.}
• _{Bates, A.W. (2015). Understanding the foundations of educational media.}
• _{Corpuz, B. & Lucido, P. (2008). Educational Technology I. Lorimar Publishing, Quezon City, Philippines}
• _{Flice, M. (2010). Differentiating Technology.}
• _{Grand Canyon University (2020). 8 Benefits of Technology in The Classroom.}
• _{Kolber, J. (20220. Why Is Collaborative Education Is A Key?}
• _{Newby, T.J., Stepich, D.A., Lehman, & J.D. (2019). Educational Technology for Teaching and Learning. Lorimar Publishing Inc., Quezon City, Philippines}
• _{Purdue University (2023). How Has Technology Changed Education?}

Understanding Technology for Education by Niño Estolas is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.