How Technology is Changing Teaching and Learning - Term Paper Example

Course: Professor: Date Abstract The report looks at the ways in which technology has affected teaching and learning in schools. The report starts by analyzing the entry of technology into the education system in the 1990s. The shift from the traditional teaching methods to technological based is also addressed. Technology has helped in advancing knowledge among the students, online learning and technologically enhanced learning. These have changed the teaching and learning from the traditional based classroom setting to a new system where virtual classrooms are established. The students are no longer required to be physically present in the classrooms. Table of Contents Abstract 2 Table of Contents 3 Introduction 4 Entry into schools 4 Shift from traditional learning practices 5 Expanding knowledge 6 Technology enhanced learning 6 Online learning 7 Conclusion 9 References 10 Introduction The rise of information technology use in schools has led to impacts on the way teaching and learning is carried out in institutions. The emergent of computers has led to a revolution in classrooms teaching and learning. There has been possibility of learners creating new ways of solving complex problems. The teacher student relationship has also been changed compared with the past. The communication networks have been affected in great ways. The rise in use of technology in schools have been faced with struggles as learners have to change their old learning tactics. The schools have been able to adopt the new technology in two different ways. Some have opted to use the technology tools that reinforce their existing learning and teaching practices while others have tried to minimize the threat that has been brought by the new technologies. This has been achieved through marginalizing and banning. The rate of adoption of new technologies has been influenced by the priorities of the target schools (Coppola, 2004). This paper will look at how technologies have affected schools learning and teaching. Entry into schools In the 1990s, technology change in schools was implemented through two main trends. The first trend involved investing of a lot of public funds in making a universally accessible technology for schools. The second trend involved use of research to demonstrate how to use technology for helping schools. These two trends were the major first steps toward technology implementation in schools. The first noticeable effects of these practices were minimal. Later, these steps were to act as the important infrastructure for technology use (Eze & Onyegegbu, 2006). In the 1990s, the schools spent a lot of resources in the technology infrastructure. The schools were transformed in to technology centers. The teachers were taught on how to use computers in classrooms for instructional purposes. Despite these changes, the traditional means of learning coexisted with the new technology. The teaching staff still faced difficulty in implementing the innovative learning. Most of the computers in classrooms were used for math games and other practice software. The computers were kept at the back of the classrooms and only utilised for supplementing the other learning activities. The change in the use of computers took place in 2000s. The schools technology use increased. The schools started using information technology for a lot of their practices including administration. The data was collected and managed using the computers. This period involved data based accountability and computers were used beyond the classroom based practices (Eze & Onyegegbu, 2006). Shift from traditional learning practices The change in technology has led to a shift from the traditional methods of teaching. The traditional methods involved situations where the teachers talked and students took notes. This environment demanded a lot from both teachers and students. The current learning institutions involve a lot of learners who have diverse needs. The learners also come from different backgrounds and cultures. This has made it impossible for the traditional means of learning to be implemented (Zhao & Gary, 2001). There are learners who have special needs who cannot be well catered using the traditional means. The institutions have adopted the technology which caters for the increased learners as well as their diversity. The new technologies have enabled learners to solve problems from different points of view. The traditional learning methods limited learning in schools with limited interactions with other people. This limited approach has been replaced with new technology which enables the learners to interact with others in the world. The schools no longer rely on teachers only as their source of information. The use of internet has enabled the learners to get information from diverse sources (Zhao & Gary, 2001). Expanding knowledge The technology based learning has helped the learners in expanding their knowledge. The students are exposed to new ideas and experiences. The students can interact with other students from different parts of world and expand their knowledge. Online communication has been an important tool for expanding knowledge. There are computer based applications that helps in simulating and solving problems. These helps the students in understanding the concept better hence their knowledge. Technology has led to a great change in what the students learn (Russell, Bebell, O'dwyer & O'connor, 2003). Technology enhanced learning The main aim of teaching and learning is to develop lifelong learning skills. The learning utilised in schools has been enhanced by the technology to help in achieving this. Most of the students join learning institutions with skills related to technology learning and communication. This helps in their integration with technological learning environment (Hennessy, Ruthven & Brindley, 2005). The learners are assisted by the relevant technologies to achieve their goals in an evolving environment. Use of these technologies helps in quick acquisition of knowledge in a collective environment. The learners are supposed to be actively involved in using the technology tools such as web 2.0. The teachers have learned on how they can integrate technology into the learning practices. The boundaries that existed prior to the establishment of information technology in schools have been broken down. The classrooms have been changed into digital hubs with computers and other technological gadgets such as iPads (Hennessy, Ruthven & Brindley, 2005). Using technology, access to learning resources have been made easier (Subramaniam, 2007). The materials which in most cases are kept under public domain can be accessed from any part of the world. These materials include e-books and podcasts. The teaching staff has utilised digital platforms such as YouTube in which they upload their lecture videos. Through the use of technology to enhance learning, the students are more motivated. The students can study with ample time and ability to rectify their mistakes by consulting online (Subramaniam, 2007). There are software applications which help in simplifying learning. Most of the students who had wrong perceptions about subjects come to like it through use of educational software. There is also increase in level of collaboration between the teachers and students. The students can easily access their tutors using the current information technology networks. Using the available technology platforms, the students can communicate with teachers at ease. Technology enhanced learning has been a key contributor to students creativity. The students gains skills on how to solve problems using technology. This is different from the traditional setting where the students depended on teacher for knowledge (Eze & Onyegegbu, 2006). Online learning Technology has changed the way students learn. In the traditional setting, students were required to be taught in a physical classroom. There have been rise in massive online learning courses. These have been adopted citing their flexibility and ease of access to the students (Subramaniam, 2007). The rise of web 2.0 technologies such as blogs and wikis has helped the learners in accessing and utilising the online learning classes. There has been ease in sharing and creating new knowledge online. This has acted to empower the learners in online courses. There has been hybrid learning where the learners spend limited time in classes and the rest in accessing online teaching. The teachers can record their lectures and provide access to online notes for the students (Subramaniam, 2007). Online learning provides access to discussions and interactions which helps in solving problems. There have been social media which have helped in creation of communities. In the social platform, the students can share their experiences and challenges with others. In the online learning setting, the teacher acts as a guide but knowledge is attained from various online sources. The learners are supposed to access the materials for learning online free of charge. In online learning, the students are supposed to take full responsibility of their learning. The today’s classroom is different from what was there before inception of technology. Online learning has changed the classroom setting as the students have a high degree of self regulation and determination (Hennessy, Ruthven & Brindley, 2005). The role of online teachers is much of a guide as compared to their contemporaries. The learner is expected to be more active and the teacher acts as spectator (Hennessy, Ruthven & Brindley, 2005). Online learning has gained high acceptance due to flexibility compared to traditional classes. This type of learning is able to integrate social learning with technology such as discussion forums. Online learning creates a virtual environment where learners can have more flexibility and achieve the learning goals. This has been one of the major effects of technology in learning. Online education is a recent phenomenon and has made education accessible to different peoples all over the world (Subramaniam, 2007). Conclusion Technology has evolved from being a teaching aid to a vital tool in teaching today. Due to the increased capabilities that are possessed by technology, it has helped in a great way to enhance the way students learn. Technology has led to shift from the traditional methods of classroom setting. There have been rise in online teaching where the learners can be situated anywhere in the world. Online learning has been enhanced by internet and availability of web based materials as well as web 2.0 (Hennessy, Ruthven & Brindley, 2005). Learners have been able to expand their knowledge through exposure to new information. The learning today is technologically enhanced. This means that the students are capable of utilising both the traditional setting and technology based learning. Looking at the current trend in education, the impact of technology is evident. The knowledge has become mobile with the students and tutors sharing their knowledge online. Learning and teaching has become more interactive. References Coppola, E 2004, Powering up: learning to teach well with technology, New York, Teachers College Press. Eze, D & Onyegegbu, N 2006, Information communication technology in the service of education, Enugu, Nigeria, Timex. Hennessy, S., Ruthven, K & Brindley, S 2005, ‘Teacher Perspectives on Integrating ICT into Subject Teaching: Commitment, Constraints, Caution, and Change’, Journal of Curriculum Studies, Vol.37, no. 2, p.155-192. Russell, M., Bebell, D., O'dwyer, L & O'connor, K 2003, ‘Examining Teacher Technology Use: Implications for Preservice and Inservice Teacher Preparation’, Journal of Teacher Education. Vol.54, no.1, p.297-310. Subramaniam, K 2007, ‘Teachers' Mindsets and the Integration of Computer Technology’. British Journal of Educational Technology. Vol.38, No. 1, p. 1056-1071. Zhao, Y & Gary, A 2001, ‘Teacher adoption of technology: a perceptual control theory perspective’, Educational Administration Abstracts. Vol.36, no. 2, p. 411-568. Read More