IMPORTANCE OF TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION

In the world that we currently live in,
technology is a very vital factor. With each passing day a new software or
gadget is being brought into the market that serves to improve our lives in one
way or another and make it much easier and also to advance an already existing
software or gadget. However, it is important to note that despite the fact that
technology plays a big role in making our lives easier, it is not the only role
it has.
There are countless reasons why technology
is a key aspect of learning in the schools. Whether we like it or not,
technology is everywhere; and in order for our students to survive in
post-secondary education and the business world, they must know technology.



Although many people like to rely on
traditional methods of teaching, the possibilities that open when technology is
brought into the classroom are endless. For one, access to education has been
significantly broadened as a result, including a wide range of learning styles
and degree options. Even if you are not a student or an education professional,
it is crucial to note the importance of technology in education. To really
utilize these tools, teachers should ask themselves why students want
technology in the classroom, not just why they need it.



Students are often bombarded with
information in a classroom which they must quickly attempt to process and make
sense of. However, this can leave them feeling overwhelmed and confused by
concepts. Technology provides students with access to countless online
resources, encouraging them to carry out research and therefore become more
independent. It also simplifies learning by making concepts more digestible,
for example through an instructional video. It is important to recognise that
there are various learning styles and traditional education may not be catering
to them all. Technology has made it possible for students to gain
qualifications online and educate themselves through institutes that offer
online courses. They can learn from home without having to pay to commute or
move away to attend university.



Technology that is made use of in the
classroom is very beneficial in helping the students understand and absorb what
they are being taught. For instance, since there are a number of students who
are visual learners, projection screens connected to computers could be put in
classrooms to let the students see their notes as opposed to simply sitting
down and listening to the instructor teach.



With the continuing advances in the
technological world, students are getting improved access to such educational
opportunities. Every time something ‘better’ and ‘new’ is brought into the
market, the price of the existing technology is decreased which makes it much
more accessible in the educational setting even to those schools that might not
have a lot of financial resources available to them. We need to face the truth,
technology is the ‘in thing’ in the world today and it has become necessary in
each and every aspect of our lives and education has without doubt not been
left behind. It is very useful in providing more knowledge to our students and
also on making them competitive in the job market.