Digital Technology Plays a Key Role in Education - Essay Example

 Digital technology is one of the foundational elements of the modern society. It is so deeply rooted in the contemporary lifestyle that it is almost impossible to think of a day without digital technology. New forms of technology including cellphones, iPads, and tablets have revolutionized the process of interaction, learning, and education. The role of digital technology cannot be underestimated as the world is undergoing the process of globalization. It is seen that digital technology has taken over the position of a truck that is delivering the goods to the students. In this case the truck is full of education and the students merely need a driver who can teach them to learn as to how a truck is driven. Digital technology’s capabilities and uses are numerous and it finds immense application in education. It has been seen that the practices of information technology have been implemented in the developed nations in such a manner that the students can make the most out of it (Sappey & Relf 2010 p. 1-3). Although digital technology is emerging as a leading tool for the purposes of education but it still cannot be ignored that it also has some negative effects on the quality of education and administration of the classroom environment. The use of digital technology in education is not a new trend, but is one that has prevailed for centuries. Much of the development in the fields of science and technology can be attributed to the use of digital technology in education. Calculators have been used in educational institutions ranging from primary, through the high school, secondary school, college, and university level for many decades. Modern calculators come with a variety of functions that can help the mathematicians and scientists perform complex calculations in the blink of an eye. As technology has progressed over the years, it is seen that the implementation of many digital appliances has come into play for the educational systems. Previously it was believed that learning was a passive process, which could only be achieved if the learner was able to transmit his knowledge swiftly. However, with research it has been found that learning is an active process that requires the learner to be actively participating while he is trying to study. Technology provides this mentally active environment to the individuals who are in the process of learning. With the help of technology, the interest of the learners is being increased and the levels of innovation are being explored further so that learning can be made a much easier process. Technology is given away innovation as the students are able to access different exercises in accordance to their ease. This helps them get involved and thus creates interest which is a necessity to learn. (Lai 2011, p. 1263-1269). The use of digital technology is not limited to create interest amongst the learners but it is also being effectively used so that the learners can benefit from these resources. It has been found that mathematics is a subject that requires several aspects of the brain to function simultaneously. Oldknow (2011) in his book has reviewed these aspects and how technology can help one to facilitate this process of learning amongst the students. It has been found that every learner needs understand whatever he is studying so that he can retain the knowledge that he has gained. This can also be applied to mathematical equations because of which it becomes necessary to involve problem solving techniques when helping the students to learn. These connections can help the students to understand the much complex equations that are being used in the subject. Similarly the aspect of visualization has also become important in understanding mathematics which can be easily achieved with the help of digital technologies. The author puts forward that technology can be used as a mean of facilitating these patterns in the mind of the learners. The use of hand-held devices and personal computers can give an idea to the students regarding the complexities of the subject. In other words, technology is a way through which knowledge can be transferred easily and efficiently (Oldknow 2011 p.1-6). In the 20th century it is seen that the world has taken a completely different form to what it was in the 19th century. It is seen that awareness has crept in the society from all the corners and each individual is trying to master his skills in whatever he is trying to learn. The use of technology has helped to bridge the distances that were previously impossible. This has helped to easily access information from wherever one wants to. The advent of wireless technologies has made it easier for the student to learn from any location that he wants to. The teacher only assumes the role of helping the students realize the importance that technology has given to these students (Thornburg 1999 p 1-3). The worth of digital technology has been recognized by many institutes all over the world. This has introduced the relatively new concept of Virtual Learning or Virtual Education. Virtual Learning is a tool of education through which individuals can grasp knowledge with the use of technology. Online lectures are provided to these students and they are given ample amount of time to pass the tests that have been published online. The students get an opportunity to use their time effectively as they are at liberty to watch the lectures whenever they want to. This helps the students relieve some of the stress that they may encounter in the traditional schooling system. The teachers play the role of a facilitator and helps the students in whatsoever possible way. Maggie Harnett, an educational researcher states "technology can surely make a difference". Here she clearly means that the new world is about technology and students can achieve better if they can effectively use technology. Moreover, the students can work and carry on with their studies with the help of Virtual Learning (Massey University 2014). Despite the important role of digital technology in the developed nations it is seen that the other part of the world has not successfully implemented the plans of digital technology into their curriculum. The third world countries primarily face the problem with integration of technology into the sector of education. The problems that revolve around the integration include the maintenance and the installation of the gadgets that are required. It has been realized that technology can help to lower the function of manpower and hence decrease the role of teachers when it comes to acquiring knowledge. As put down by Selwyn; “new digital technologies should be seen as involving more – rather than less – work and responsibility for educational institutions and those who work within them” (Selwyn 2011, p. 165). The additional responsibilities include but are not limited to controlling irrelevant and improper use of digital technology by the students in the classroom, establishing controls to supervise and administer the correct use of digital technology, training the students on the use of digital technology for educational purposes, and dealing with a wide range of apps and software programs that facilitate the students in cheating over the teachers. Another major challenge with respect to the use of digital technology in education is its integration in such a way that it benefits learners with different and conflicting needs. This challenge can certainly not be dealt with by adopting a “one-size fits all” solution. Alongside the positive uses of digital technology in education, there are also certain negative effects related to it. It is seen that the teacher finds it very difficult to handle the class once they are provided with the gadgets. It is shown by research that the teachers primarily are not aware of the processes through which students can use technology as a way to learn. This creates a gap and the students are not able to learn as effectively as the teacher would want them to. The lack of teachers attention to the integration of technology in the sector of education has been attributed to several factors. One of these factors revolves around the aspect of career advancement for the teacher. Most of the career advancement procedures relate to the outputs that are given by the teachers and not the new integrated approaches towards education. This creates a lack of interest from the teachers towards this new form of technology. In other words it can be said that technology cannot be effective until the facilitator realizes the worth of the gadget that is being used. (Lai 2011 p.1263-1270). Virtual Learning is a completely new world for the learners as it allows them to undergo through processes which revolve around something that is not physical. It means that there should be a line between virtual learning and physical learning as some students may learn through virtual learning but when they have to deliver in the real physical world, they will not be able to do so only because of less exposure to the real world. Similarly the physical world involves face to face meetings and online technologies disrupt this fact. This leads to the conclusion that virtual learning should always be conducted with traditional methods so that the students do learn in the truest sense (Thornburg 1999, p. 4-6). Technologies are relatively expensive and this poses a problem for many countries to impose an environment of learning for the children in the developing nations. At times unexpected situations arise inside the educational systems and the teachers are not well equipped to handle these situations. For example the learning problems of the students cannot be detected by the new devices and in many cases the teacher would not know the solution to such a problem. This may become problematic for the teacher as they cannot easily handle the students if they begin to panic. Teachers have to go through a lot of emotional and psychological distress whenever such incidents happen (Lai & Kritsonis 2006 p.3-4).While in class, teachers tend to remain conscious of these risks all the time which distracts them from totally and only concentrating upon the quality of instruction. In their attempt to protect themselves, they remain overly conscious and their ability to deliver their best is compromised. App developers have come up with applications directed at controlling the functional aspects of a projector. To conclude, digital technology has a lot of educational uses and significance, but it also has its own limitations and disadvantages. Nowadays, digital technologies are created with such operational capabilities and features that make them best-suited for application as tools in education. They are currently being used in the developed nations to serve this purpose and have so far been successful in achieving their goals. Some factors that have served as a catalyst in the integration of digital technology in the modern educational system include the specially built features of these gadgets customized to the needs of academicians and learners, and the digital technology’s variety. Use of digital technology has made the process of research very convenient and efficient for the researchers. Students have been able to interact with each other regardless of the time and location constraints with the help of this technology. While digital technology has provided the academicians with so many opportunities and facilities, some challenges that impede the quick integration of every new form of digital technology into education include the costs associated with purchase, installation, and maintenance of digital technology and training of the tutors and students; and miscellaneous risks posed by the use of digital technology in education. Nevertheless, it can be argued without doubt that digital technology has brought radical improvement in the quality and efficiency of educational system. This modern technology has improved the reach of the learners to what they could not have imagined in the previous decades. In simpler words, technology has brought the world together and the students only need to know as to how this world can be accessed (Thornburg 1999 p.2-7) References: Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Lai, C.C., & Kritsonis, W. A. (2006). The Advantages and Disadvantages of Computer Technology in Second Language Acquisition. National Journal For Publishing And Mentoring Doctoral Student Research 3, Issue 1. Lai, K.W. (2011). Digital Technology and the Culture of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology. 27, Issue 8. 1263-1275. Massey University 2014. Digital technology use in Education, [video online] Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoMfK7tOW00 [Accessed 28 February 2015]. Oldknow, A. 2011, Mathematics Education with Digital Technology, A&C Black. Sappey, J., & Relf, S. (2010). Digital Technology Education and Its Impact on Traditional Academic Roles and Practice. Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice. 7, Issue 1. 1-17. Selwyn, N. 2011, Education and Technology: Key Issues and Debates, A&C Black. Thornburg, D. D. (1999). Technology in K-12 Education: Envisioning a New Future. Thornburg Center. Read More