Many of today’s high-demand jobs were created in the last decade, according to the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). As advances in technology drive globalization and digital transformation, education tools and techniques need to be transformed to impart the necessary skills to succeed in the careers of the future. The effective use of digital learning tools in classrooms can increase student engagement, help teachers improve their lesson plans, and facilitate personalized learning. It also helps students build essential 21st-century skills.
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated why online education should be a vital part of teaching and learning. The rise of distance and hybrid learning has brought the importance of digital equity to the forefront. Whether learning in the classroom or remotely, students depend on technology to help them keep pace and excel. And educators depend on technology to offer all their students a consistent and effective learning experience.
Technology provides students with easy-to-access information, accelerated learning, and fun opportunities to practice what they learn. It enables students to explore new subjects and deepen their understanding of difficult concepts, particularly in STEM. Through the use of technology inside and outside the classroom, students can gain 21st-century technical skills necessary for future occupations.
Virtual classrooms, video, augmented reality (AR), robots, and other technology tools can not only make classes more lively, can also create more inclusive learning environments that foster collaboration and inquisitiveness and enable teachers to collect data on student performance. New solutions supporting educational needs include strong internet networks, collaboration software for communication, and security tools to protect sensitive information.
Still, it’s important to note that technology is a tool used in education and not an end in itself. The promise of educational technology lies in what educators do with it and how it is used to best support their students’ needs. Technology access is an added concern — for example, not every school district has resources to provide students with a laptop, and internet connectivity can be unreliable in homes.
For additional information visit: https://soeonline.american.edu/blog/technology-in-education
