Educational technology or EdTech refers to the use of technology to support the day-to-day management of learning and educational institutions.
The applications of EdTech are many and varied. The Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed that the Covid-19 pandemic and partial school closures have severely disrupted education in the UK and “created an unprecedented need for distance learning and educational solutions”. At the same time, DfE research found that 64% of schools have installed, upgraded or improved their technology, and 80% of schools use new or both new and old equipment. Resources include online learning platforms, digital learning management tools and services, and technologies for distance learning and pre-recorded online learning.
As technology and innovation continue to evolve, new trends in EdTech include learning environments based on artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR, automated assessment and learning to achieve consensus).
What Are the Challenges of Using EdTech?
Among the many benefits, students and their teachers face edtech challenges. Common examples include technical issues such as poor Wi-Fi connection, abnormal audio or picture quality, problems uploading or downloading files, problems accessing apps, slow internet, lost passwords and incompatibility of equipment or other information.
When used inefficiently, edtech can also pose a challenge to student engagement. For example, a system that is confusing or difficult to use can leave students feeling overwhelmed and isolated, especially without the usual social support of their peers.
While there are clear advantages and disadvantages to e-learning, fortunately there are many ways educators can overcome the social and technological challenges of edtech.
What are The Benefits of Using EdTech?
Edtech offers benefits to students, teachers, administrators and parents. For example, online learning makes it easier for students to study anywhere in the world, which can benefit military students, older students who travel frequently, or students who live further away. Further advantages of edtech for students and families:
1. With the help of edtech, students improve their technology skills.
2. Edtech can facilitate effective research and put the world of information in your hands.
3. Edtech enables students to study at home.
4. Parents can become more involved in their children’s education, which can have a significant impact on a child’s early development.
5. Students can receive prompts and notifications to help them complete the task.
6. Students can support their learning without affecting other students.
Technology can be used to support teachers and administrators, making edtech a viable investment for school systems. Here are some examples of how edtech can help teachers and schools:
1. Automated grading allows teachers to complete assignments quickly and easily.
2. Cloud storage makes it easy for teachers to store and organize data such as lessons and completed assignments.
3. Teachers can find countless lesson plans, lessons, and learning resources online (or in app stores), many of which are free or relatively inexpensive.
4. Online translation becomes faster and easier, providing a better experience and environment for English language learners (ELL).
5. By paperless jobs, schools can save money on printing and reduce their carbon footprint.
How Can Edtech Help Students and Teachers?
Benefits of Edtech for Students
The introduction of technology opens up new ways of learning for students of all ages and encourages collaboration and participation in the classroom. This is where edtech has a direct impact on student learning.
Access Learning 24/7
IoT devices give students full access to the classroom in a digital environment. At school, on the bus or at home, connected devices give students access to Wi-Fi and the cloud and the distraction they need—on their schedule. Now in physics class.
“Flipping” the Classroom
Edtech tools are changing the traditional way of looking at classrooms and education. Traditionally, students listen to lectures or study in class and work on homework projects and activities. With video lessons and learning tools, students can watch lessons at home in real time and use class time to work on projects together. This type of learning helps students develop independent learning, creativity and a sense of collaboration.
Increased Collaboration
Cloud computing tools and tablets support collaboration in the classroom. Packed with educational games and online lessons, the tablet gives children the tools to solve problems together. Meanwhile, cloud-based applications allow students to upload homework and digitally communicate with each other about their thinking processes and their help.
How can Technology Help in The Classroom?
EdTech helps teachers create personalized lesson plans to meet the different skill levels and needs of their students. People with special needs and special education plans can access the tools they need to succeed in the classroom.
Educational technology companies continue to develop new types of software, hardware and devices, expanding the possibilities of synchronous and asynchronous learning in the classroom and at home.
Leading EdTech companies like Chegg offer online courses to students, reducing costs associated with the classroom and removing concerns about resources outside the classroom. Edtech products such as smart video cameras (including Meeting Owl Pro) allow students to see and hear themselves while participating in remote classrooms.
Ways Teachers Use EdTech
By incorporating EdTech into the classroom it is possible to create alternative teaching methods without creating space for interactive learning. Traditional teaching methods are being disrupted by the use of mainstream technology such as laptops and tablets and confronting students using technology that students are familiar with.
Blog By:- ExpertSadar
