In this digital era, world around us is changing at breath taking
pace. Technology is advancing remarkably, today’s technology getting out
dated tomorrow. Fantasies of science fiction or movies are a reality of today’s world. Mobiles and internet has become integral part of life which
could not have been thought of few decades back. The adaption of technology has also been observed in schools. The advancement in technology has dramatically changed the way the teachers teach and the students learn in the past thirty years.
Some computer application can be classified as cognitive tools when they are used to engage and enhance thinking of today’s students. These tools are applications that manage information in ways that allow children to think more clearly, creatively and critically. Cognitive tools are not necessarily meant to make learning easier for children. Instead they often require pupils to think harder, more critically or more creatively than without the tools.
Technology has changed the class environment totally. Before the teachers were not able to look at the children when writing on the blackboard but now with the overhead projector, document camera teachers can face the students while writing on the transparency and paper respectively. This has made the interaction better with the students. Teachers feel comfortable explaining something and knowing better if they are understanding or not just by looking at their face.
Children have different learning styles : tactile, visual, auditory and kinesthetic. The latest technologies are trying to reach these learning styles. SMARTboard, powerpoint presentation, internet , video, digital photographs, overhead projectors, document camera provide visual learning style for today’s children. Whereas audiocassettes, cds, internet audios, internet radio develops the auditory learning style. Tactile learning style is enhanced by touch screen computer. When students are sent to the SMARTboard then the kinesthetic learning style is fulfilled. So technology has made no child left behind possible.
All subjects in a school have adapted technology as it brings better learning skills for students. In English students nowadays take advantage of word processors that provides ease of editing and rewriting. Students who struggle with writing expression may enjoy the chance to establish webpage or create a multimedia presentation instead of submitting a traditional five page essay. Programs such as imovie and moviemaker allow students to shift from the role of passive observer to active creator of digital media. Software such as Inspiration and kidspiration use the visual techniques to teach students to clarify,organize an prioritize their thoughts. Inspiration can also be used as a prewriting activity to help students brainstorm, draft and revise their writing.
A teacher can demonstrate a scientific experiment on the document camera and students are able to watch every step properly from their seats without having to crowd around the teacher. For educators and students wireless devices have the potential to solve several challenges. Using a portable wireless computer a student can research an interesting insect they discover while they are still on a field trip rather than wait until the next day. So technology has brought pace on learning.
Virtual fieldtrips provide a wealth of opportunities to extend learning in schools. Students are able to visit a country and experience the flavour of the that culture without having to go there in real life. Teachers in social studies class usually want their students to go to webquests. A webquest is an inquiry based learning activity that directs learners in using information from the web. In a webquest the appropriate tasks and websites are provided so that the students can focus on the analysis of information rather than losing time by searching for it.
Maths teachers nowadays rely on SMARTboard as it is convenient to explain a problem. Students also apply complex calculation in spreadsheet. Educational games, math websites help the students not only develop critical thinking but also provide learning to be fun. Internet made maths lot more easier for students who had difficulty solving problems.
Before it was often a challenge for foreign language teachers to collect materials in the target language. Now students can view authentic materials over the web or even use the internet to communicate to other classrooms in a foreign country.
Technology has made life easier for special need students. Computers are especially helpful in allowing special need students to participate in normal classroom activities that would otherwise be impossible. Voice activation makes it less stressful for learners who are physically disabled or who have limited keyboarding skills to fully use the capabilities of a computer. There are also softwares that enlarges text on the screen. This type of software address different levels of sight impairments in children. Special needs software also includes speech-synthesizing software which converts spoken sounds and words into their graphic equivalent or into the text the sounds represent. Sounds are thus displayed on the computer screen to assist those students who are hearing impaired and those who need additional perceptual feedback in reading.
Teachers at present have to be really careful about the implementation of technology as it involves legal, social and ethical issues. The teachers have to know about the copyright and fair use guidelines. Also the educators need to maintain privacy for every child. Teachers also have to make sure that all the children are well equipped with technology in schools in order to promote equity among the students who do not have internet access at home. The content on the internet is not regulated and are inappropriate
for children. Through monitoring and filtering software and through teacher observation schools can make a reasonable effort to cut down access to objectionable materials.
In the digital age technology has become an indispensable element in schools. The teaching methods and learning process have revolutionized within the past thirty years. The modern tools have changed the classroom from a teacher-centered to a more cooperative and student-centered environment. The educators known to be the digital immigrants have embraced the modern technology with great enthusiasm and interest. This has brought a dynamic change in the learning process of today’s children.
