Kids enter their lessons on Zoom. Assignments are posted by teachers on an online learning platform. To help their third-graders understand fractions, parents are dusting out old computers.
In 2020, when the COVID-19 epidemic caused so many people to combine education and technology, all of these scenarios became normal. When the coronavirus spread over the world, teachers all over the world started depending more than ever on educational technology (EdTech) to fulfill even the most basic duties.
Although there were unavoidable growing pains, it’s very obvious that EdTech offers numerous advantages after a year of remote education for students. As everyone becomes used to the concept of distance learning, innovations in the classroom will only advance. Let’s discuss What Is EdTech?
What Is EdTech?
Table of Contents
When computer gear and/or software are incorporated into the educational sector to enhance learning, this is known as e-learning or EdTech software development. This is a broad concept that includes anything from language learning applications for smartphones to Zoom courses.
EdTech in the classroom may take the form of interactive whiteboards, projectors, tablets for taking digital notes, and student response systems. Of course, there are more instances, but these are just a handful to help you understand how EdTech works.
EdTech may include online learning platforms like Moodle, Edmodo, or Blackboard that allow students to submit assignments and access course materials outside of the classroom.
As students acquire new material, other websites, like IXL or FunBrain, have a more direct connection to learning models. Even software programs like Kahoot, Duolingo, and Rosetta Stone are utilized for similar objectives.
To ensure that students are actively absorbing material, many of these tools were developed using educational theory. Technology should be designed to aid in the pupils’ assimilation of the information being taught to them.
The internet will develop over time to become quicker, more accessible, and less interrupted. Edtech will advance as long as smart gadgets rule the online world.
What Difficulties Come with Using EdTech?
Edtech has a lot of benefits, but it also has obstacles that instructors and students must face. For instance, technical problems like bad Wi-Fi connections, distorted audio or video, difficulties uploading or downloading data, trouble installing applications, sluggish internet speeds, forgotten passwords, and incompatible apps or upgrades are very prevalent.
Student engagement issues might arise when EdTech is employed ineffectively. For instance, difficult-to-use software might make students feel overwhelmed and give up on homework, particularly if they lack the usual peer support.
What Makes Educational Technology Important in Education?
Because it enables modern instructors to incorporate new technologies and tools into their classrooms, educational technology in education is crucial. EdTech will increase at a 15.3% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the next seven years, approximately doubling in size to over 200 billion by 2027. The learner-centeredness of the classroom may be enhanced by the teachers. It allows educators to interact with pupils in distinctive, original, and fair ways. Teachers may connect with other educators locally, nationally, and internationally to broaden their networks.
How to Effectively Use EdTech
Using EdTech might seem daunting since there are so many tools at your disposal. The following are some suggestions for employing instructional technology in the classroom.
- Choose a tool that corresponds to the learning goal you have in mind.
- The lesson should never be driven by the EdTech tool; rather, it should support the pedagogy and content.
- Avoid using instructional technology only for its own sake. Sometimes pen and paper are just as effective.
- Start by studying the technology in modest stages. Avoid being overburdened by learning too many tools at once. Instead, focus on mastering one tool.
- Ask your pupils to assist you. There’s a strong probability that your students know how to use technology and might help you. Asking for help also shows kids that you are a student yourself.
- Learn about a tool. Consider how you can utilize the newest gadget to improve your classes or engage your pupils before picking it. Considering the question, “How can I utilize this technology to help my teaching and students?
Exploring Different Types of EdTech Tools and Their Applications
EdTech is used to improve learning and teaching. It comes in many forms, such as software, mobile apps, web apps, games and virtual reality. Some of the most popular EdTech tools include:
- Software: In-classroom software like Pearson’s LearningStudio allows teachers to create interactive lesson plans that can be accessed from a computer or other device with internet access. This tool provides students with resources like videos, simulations, and quizzes on topics ranging from history to math.
- Mobile Apps: Apps like Duolingo allow students who are learning another language at home or on the go access real-time feedback for their progress through bite-sized lessons that fit into busy schedules without sacrificing quality instruction time spent practicing skills outside of class time (or during).
- Web Apps: Web applications such as Khan Academy provide an extensive library of instructional videos covering multiple subjects such as science or English literature; users can learn at their own pace while receiving personalized feedback based on prior knowledge gained through previous lessons completed within each course offered within this particular ed-tech resource.
Conclusion
Less than 30 years ago, a television brought out to display a documentary was the most modern technology that students might see in class. In a very short time, whole curricula have been accessible from anywhere on the globe for people who choose to study.
One day, a 17-year-old could be able to comprehend quantum physics in great detail just by being interested in it and having access to the necessary knowledge. Edtech will make some fantastic things feasible in the exciting future.
Also Read: Why Artificial Intelligence Is Important In 2023: Unleashing The Potential
