Technology is already sweeping through classrooms as educators and developers create more and more products to enhance learning. Artificial Intelligence, machine learning and, online educational learning tools aren’t just changing the field for students, they’re shaking up the role of educators, creating philosophical shifts in approaches to teaching, and remodelling the classroom. Adaptive learning software is quickly replacing the role of textbooks in the classrooms, requiring a shift from traditional teaching methodology in which teachers must play a key role in facilitating learning.

Technology and Education: An Overview

Education in today’s world is all about giving students all the required skills to succeed in this new world. So in order to provide all the required skills, it is extremely important to have a classroom environment that motivates the students, an environment that ignites in them the interest for a particular subject and most importantly with zeal to EXCEL. Now, what can a teacher do in order to better the classroom environment? There is various teaching methodology which a teacher can apply.

Technology is the buzzword of the 21st century. The advent of technology has supplemented and enriched the educational methods of teaching and learning. The educational system is changing rapidly in response to technology. The face of classroom is changing. There is a shift from pen to computer keyboard, from blackboard presentation to PowerPoint presentation, from paper-pen test to computer-based test. Learning as torture to learning as fun, and teacher as transmitter to teacher as facilitator. In an age where knowledge expands at a speed beyond imagination, lifelong learning is a crucial issue and hence in today’s competitive environment, it should come as no surprise that technology has hit the radar screen. The question is how to integrate current and emerging technologies as an integral part of the instructional practices especially in schools and colleges so that the future generation in schools and colleges get the exposure to the new world.

It has been repeatedly experienced by students and teachers that use of technology increases students motivation to learn, they become more receptive and remain engaged throughout the learning process. Students are found highly motivated when they are taught through computers. They stay on task for longer periods; have fewer behaviour problems and their persistence remains much greater than in traditional ways of learning. Even the low achievers react better towards the internet-based tools than with traditional approach of teaching. Technology makes learning a joyful experience. Technology is receiving a very encouraging response to the children. They love to click the mouse and see pictorial representation and they welcome this method of learning.

Usage of technology also affects a teacher’s motivation level to teach. It inspires a teacher’s passion for the discipline which causes him/her to dig deeper into the subject and investigate new areas of enquiry. Group work and problem-solving activities that involve the application of technology in the classroom and good teachers with technology give students a chance to excel.

But in spite of its positive response among the students and teachers, it was found out that they use the technology to some extent only. In some cases, the students and teachers in various institutions are deprived of the technology in the classroom. They still follow the old traditional chalk and board method of teaching. This is an alarming situation that when teachers are well versed with the advantages of technology in the classroom, then why is its usage only to some extent?. One of the reasons as to why usage of technology is not practiced in some institutions can be the institution itself. Some institutions at times fail to fulfil the requirement of providing technology in the classroom. At the same time, the government should also provide enough grants to the departments to install, repair and maintain various technologies to be used by the teachers and students. Institutions should also have well-qualified technicians to take care of the equipments and to be available at the time of any problem in its usage. A positive environment should be created in the institutions regarding the use of selected technology and to create awareness among the teachers. Courses must be designed and offered to train and educate the teachers in different areas of information technology.

It is the view of the teachers that the incorporation of technology in the education sector is important to meet the challenges presented by the new trends. It is essential that the students become familiar with the concept and use information technology in order to equip them for future job market. Similarly, the faculty can achieve better quality in teaching methodology. Free accessibility to educational websites should be created as well. Students should be allowed to use computers with internet connections within the school premises to carry out their various classroom activities.

From the above mentioned, we know that technology makes classroom activities feel more real and relevant and the students take the classroom activities and homework very seriously. Since students no more consider teachers as sage on stage, technology helps the teacher to become a facilitator and a guide for the students to learn. Education, as we know, is all about give and take. Today’s students know many more things about technology and its hardware aspects than a teacher. When students help a teacher in learning about technology they feel empowered. When a teacher has to say “I don’t know” it requires a lot of confidence by the teacher, but it’s a rewarding approach because students take greater responsibility in the process of learning.

Cell phone communications, Facebook and WhatsApp chatting and computers have become the best friend of today’s generation. A classroom is no longer a place where the teacher pours knowledge into passive students, who wait like empty vessels to be filled in. Let us make our classroom a fun, interactive place to learn.

Degree of Thought is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. Degree of Thought will delve into the social, cultural, political and educational issues around us. The views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a NAAC Accredited UGC recognised Commerce and Arts College. The editors are Dr Hewasa Lorin, Tatongkala Pongen, Aniruddha, Meren and Kvulo Lorin.
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