Importance Of Technology In Education

We live in the 21st century which is known for its technological revolution. No one can escape technology. Even in our household chores, we are surrounded by gadgets which make our life easy. Everything is available at the click of a switch. It is because of technology that the world has come closer to become a global village. Back in the 19th and 20th centuries, nobody could have imagined that talking over smartphones could be possible across continents. In the first decade of the 21st century, cell phones, more precisely smartphones, were considered as luxury items. But today without smartphones, life cannot be imagined. Technology has provided better access to opportunities and has improved connections in fields of travel, education, communication, employment etc. It has made life more comfortable and flexible.

The use of technology in the education sector has minimized the distance between  school and  home. Almost every piece of information is just a click away. It has transformed the lives of millions of students and has given opportunities to the minds which would have gone unnoticed. Until the world was hit by a pandemic in 2019, the education sector allowed limited use of technology in the classroom. It was post-pandemic, where there was a dire need for its usage.

• Digital learning- When students in a classroom are taught concepts with the aid of videos and documentaries, they grasp more when compared to traditional methods. Digital learning is very effective in providing concept clarity and also knowing  additional information which is not mentioned in the textbooks.
• Availability- Telecasting  lectures on television from the best teachers and professors in the country for students is the first step towards the availability of education for all. It helps in understanding concepts for students living in remote areas.
• Better retention of information-  Recent studies showed that students who study using visual tools, have better retention of a concept when compared to reading that from a textbook. The brain grasps visual information quickly.
• Inclusive education- Technology has brought students from various sectors of society together onto a single platform where they can learn and continue their education despite all the  social challenges. This is a boon for the education sector.

• The situation of pandemic- In situations like that of the pandemic, technology provides access to teaching and learning through video classes on different apps. It is easy for the student as well as the teacher to continue with their studies. Though this started recently, it is becoming acceptable in the modern world.
• Dynamic growth of personality- Various methods of teaching online enhances the growth of the personality of students and their mind works dynamically. Clarification of doubts, learning extra facts, easy access to information etc increases the pace of learning and creates a study-friendly environment.
• Use of artificial intelligence- By using AI tools, teachers can keep track of the growth of students in academics and also help the students cope up with the stressful environment of competitions. Competitions cannot be ignored because they shape the future of a student. Technology has contributed to polish the already existing competitive skills in students.
• Smart classes- Usage of smart classes in the classroom has made teaching advanced concepts easy and feasible. It has made boring lectures interesting and even backbenchers have a clear understanding of the concepts.
• Interaction with the teacher- Lack of teacher-student interaction was a problem back in the early post-independence period. But with the growing use of technology, this became possible. Even the virtual PTMs create a positive impact on the overall personality development of the individual.

Technology has brought everything to the table but becoming slaves to it is the last thing we would want for students. It is the teacher who guides the student to differentiate between usage and addiction to technology. If used properly, it can ignite the curious minds in their way  to know the world.