Technology changed how we learn

How technology has changed the way we learn

In the 21st century, technology has changed the ways in which we communicate and go about our lives. Very few educators would disagree with the notion that technology has dramatically changed the teaching and learning process (Edwards, 2012).

Dr. Katherine McKnight has formulated, along with opinions of her fellow teachers, and suggested twelve key technological changes in education. The ones that are of particular interest and relevance to me are:

eBooks on the rise:

The invention of eBooks means that students no longer have to carry big heavy paper textbooks. Instead, students can use their devise to search, find and read an important book relevant to their course which they can citate.

Disappearance of the Chalk Board:

I have never used a chalk board. I have started my teacher training course in the year 2015/2016 whereby chalkboards have been replaced by 'interactive whiteboards'. Interactive whiteboards are fantastic once you have developed the skills to fully utilise the expensive equipment. Will I ever use a chalk board? Only if a future organisation has one!

The iPad, a Game Changer: 

One of my favourite technological app and teaching aid thus far is using Nearpod on my iPad. It is such a small yes powerful device for teaching and captivates the student's attention.

Extended Classroom Communities: 
Although I have never experienced anything else, I could only imagine how isolated it must have been to learn or teach twenty or even ten years ago. Web-based platforms like Edmodo whereby teachers and students can discuss work or projects with each other would not have existed and that social side gives people a sense of belonging.

Rise of Web-Based Research: 
I started using a large amount of web-based research during my undergraduate degree in 2008. Since then, I have always take for granted the fact that so much academic research is on hand at a click of a button. With the invention of Google 'books' or 'scholar', a vast amount of published and very informative academic pieces.

Meeting the Needs of All Learners: 
As teachers, it is very important to know the relevance of Howards Gardener's Theory of Multiple Intelligences whereby he suggested that no two learners learn in the same way. Teachers can use technology to facilitate the needs of all learners.

Indeed, Salmon (2011) created a five stage model to describe the way in which we learn in this modern digital era. The first stage of the model starts with the student wanting to learn basic technical skills and continuing through the stage that include social and reflective challenges to accomplish their learning objectives.