How technology has changed the face of education | Crysberry
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How technology has changed the face of education

Technology, VR / AR

24 June 2019

It is a no-brainer that ever since technology got into education, its methodology, approaches and overall philosophy were changed completely.

Education is no longer viewed as a direct instruction given inside a classroom. The process of learning has gotten more fun and engaging.

And in this article, we will look into greater details of how exactly technology changed education as a whole.

So, shall we?

7 ways technology transformed education

1. Virtual reality makes education more effective.

VR startups are raising billions of dollars. This subject is new, fresh, and interesting. And there are many reasons for this. One of them is that VR can do much good in different areas like education.

Thus, Google’s Pioneer Education and Immersive VR Education software are already changing the classroom. With them, students can take tours to different parts of the world. For instance, History classes can now offer a tour to the day when Titanic was sinking. Great Wall of China can now be visited at any time without having to leave the classroom.

Read also: Virtual Reality: Part 1. What is VR and where we can use it.

Just think about it. How much more use VR makes out of education! You can now see where Shakespeare lived and wrote. Students can visit places where historic events took place. And learning such things is no longer dull or distant.

2. Augmented reality makes studying cheaper and more efficient.

Augmented reality makes education less expensive. The thing is that you no longer need to purchase materials to conduct experiments. With special software, things can “grow” without any physical material required.

With it, future professionals like dentists or surgeons get to see the final result for their work without operating on real people first. Besides, architects can model buildings and put their knowledge to action with their gadget at hand.

For instance, Quiver is one of the apps for your classroom. Developers prepared special content to help you teach geometry, biology, and solar system. Another example is Arloon Plants. The app allows you to take care of your virtual plants. Besides, it allows you to learn about their different parts. You can learn more about it in the video.

3. Using iPads in the classroom improved Math scores.

CNet reported how one American school has decided to compare the efficiency of studying with regular textbooks and iPads. All this was done in an attempt to see the effect of personal devices on students’ performance. As it turned out, 78% of such students scored either “advanced” or “proficient” on tests at the end of the year.

This means that their grades increased by 20% with the aid of using technology inside the classroom.

Despite the statement that gadgets inside the classroom distract students, these results speak louder than ever. When used wisely, iPads help students benefit.

4. Teachers can have a personalized learning program.

Once the teacher builds an initial contact with a student and identifies his individual learning style, he can develop a specific program. Thus, he can offer a student various tools to achieve the established goals.

A list of possibilities is unlimited including podcasts, eBooks, online games, videos, and even online labs.

A chance to have a personalized program for each and every individual inside the classroom translates into better results and higher scores at the end of the day.

5. More students have access to high-quality education.

The Guardian states that “On a continent where 30 million children miss out on primary school education yet there is 73% mobile phone penetration, there is little question that the fusing of technology with education in Africa has the potential to expand the educational horizons of millions.”

Technology is a way to make sure that all students across the world get a chance to get at least primary education.

In recent years, there have been several initiatives aiming to educate children from regions with poor access to education. Among such programs are Kio KitOne Laptop Per Child, etc. Not all of such initiatives have reached significant results. But they have laid the foundation for new successful projects.

6. Learn everywhere.

Years ago, to get a profound education, one had to enter a higher educational establishment and attend all the classes. Today, one can learn whatever subject he wants by taking an online course.

Thus, 67% of all people now use mobile devices to access learning. With platforms like Coursera and edX, studying is now possible anywhere. All you need to have is a good Internet connection and a device to work on. Talented tutors are now offering lectures on almost any subject. And with translation available, people from all countries can now learn.

EdTechMagazine states that distance education has seen a 150% growth as compared to the conventional methods within the last two decades. And this figure only proves our point. Moreover, they say that “18% of undergraduate students are predicted to receive 80% or more of their education through online courses by 2013.”

7. Technologies made education accessible for underprivileged kids.

Students from developing countries don’t always have access to standard learning materials. Thus, Online Labs have decided to solve this problem. They have developed an online simulation lab that brings Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Maths, and English classes to every school.

The system allows you to conduct experiments with reactives and see high-quality simulation with detailed explanation. This makes these subjects visual and allows even those without access to the necessary materials to learn them well.

8. There is no more such a thing as a language barrier.

Thanks to services like Duolingo and Rosetta Stone, language is no longer a problem. People from all over the world can learn languages either in a form of a game or as an interactive class.

Duolingo alone has 10 million active users and counting! Besides, they offer at least 15 languages one can master with this simple and fun app.

9. Technology makes education cheaper.

People that took an online course can get a certificate signed by the actual tutors with a special mark of the university the course was run by. Moreover, schools get to save up to 70% of time and funds by offering video lessons and e-learning materials instead of regular direct instruction, KZO Innovations report.

Technology has revolutionized the classroom. That goes without saying.

There have been massive allegations around the issue of whether its influence was positive or not. But we still believe that there are many things to be grateful to technological breakthroughs in our schools.

They prepare our kids for the realities of the modern job market. Moreover, they make education accessible to everyone around the globe with or without a wireless connection.

l.sidorenko