“In education, technology can be a life-changer, a game-changer, for kids who are both in school and out of school.” – Queen Rania of Jordan
Technology has changed the very fiber of the society we live in today. It is truly the age of computers, and there is no way you can deny that. People use technology every single day of their lives. Be it connecting with friends without actually stepping out of the house or learning without limits, there are a million reasons why technology (in the right way) is the greatest gift in present times.
In fact, it is owing to the technological advancements only that learning and teaching today is completely different from what it was even a few years ago. The raging COVID-19 pandemic has only made this difference more prominent. Physical classrooms have given way to virtual ones on digital platforms, and books (although never fully replaceable) have become more than just pages. Technology in education has made learning so much simpler, limitless, accessible, and affordable globally. Thus, it is not an exaggeration to say that technology integration is indeed the need of the hour!
Technology has, in fact, emerged as a blessing for the educational landscape, making education more accessible by delimiting geographical boundaries to opening up a world of learning opportunities through smart classrooms, e-books, etc. This is why we, at the Excelsior American School, one of the top IGCSE schools in Gurgaon, are constantly working together with our teachers to make technology integration a seamless affair for our students.
Read on to find out why we think integrating educational technology is the very need of the hour and how we prepare our students to join this digital transformation. Happy reading!
How does Educational Technology Improve the Learning Experience?
According to the ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education), most of the jobs you see today have been created within the last ten years or so. This shows how important it is for teachers and schools to help students gain industry-relevant skills to make them future-ready. Using the right educational technology helps to do this effectively and in a fun learning environment.
At the Excelsior American School, we use technology in regular activities instead of just using it as a crisis-management tool. Our holistic learning framework and international education standards help us build well-rounded future citizens adept in the latest skills. And here are the top 4 benefits that integrating technology in the teaching-learning process has brought in for the children as well as the teachers:
- Technology use improves communication and collaboration
Not that traditional teaching doesn’t allow for communication or collaboration; it definitely does. But it is not as effective and widespread as when you use digital means and other educational technology to share knowledge. Being an IGCSE school, we at the Excelsior American School put a lot of emphasis on collaborative work. Children learn to work in groups and develop a sense of perspective. Educational technology effectively amplifies the opportunities for collaboration amongst students in the same classroom and with peers from different parts of the world.
The pandemic has shown the importance of the virtual world. And owing to the lack of technological know-how, there’s no denying that many adults have faced a lot of challenges communicating their thoughts and ideas properly using online media. When children get used to learning via online classes and digital tools, they learn this important 21st Competency Skill right from a young age.
- Technology integration enables personalized learning
One of the biggest perks of this century is personalized service. In the context of learning, it is important to note that every child has a different learning style and learns at a different pace. In the traditional way of teaching, it is never possible to cater to the individual needs of every student in a classroom (even for small class sizes), and it results in some kids lagging and others feeling unchallenged.
Smart classrooms and digital learning resources offer the much-needed workaround to every single student in the class. The best part of digital learning is that kids have access to reading materials 24x7x365 days. They can refer to lessons and take practice tests as many times as they like, without worrying about others suffering. So, be it a hybrid learning model or completely digitalized lessons, technology is rapidly changing the education scenario. When children learn at a comfortable pace, they can retain information longer, which translates to better grades and academic prowess.
- Technology makes learning fun and engaging
As more evidence piles up in favor of the impact of having fun while learning, schools and teachers are looking for new-age pedagogy that tickles the curious cats in children. Technology like Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Artificial Intelligence (AI) modules are redefining the way teachers impart knowledge. Using the right education technology can transform even the most mundane and insurmountable lessons into fun-filled activities that students love.
According to years of research in child development and psychology, children learn better when they are curious about the lesson, and it calls to their inquisitive nature (the very reason why kids love story books but dread their history books). At the Excelsior American School, one of the best IGSCE schools in Gurgaon, we use technology to engage our students in fun activities where they learn while having fun!
- Technology allows for maximum teacher efficiency and productivity
Integrating technology in education has not only helped better students’ lives but has also catered to increasing the efficiency of the teachers. The main purpose of any technology is to make work simpler and increase productivity, and educational technology certainly lives up to this reputation. It encourages teachers to think out of the box and tweak their teaching techniques to suit changing needs. Technology helps free up a lot of time by automating rote work so that teachers can devote this extra time towards self-improvement and student interaction.
Summing Up
As educational technology or EdTech changes by the hour, there is a pressing need to adapt and prepare our students, teachers, and parents for this digital transformation. At the Excelsior American School, one of the best IGCSE schools in Gurgaon, we use pioneering educational technology to put our students on the fast track to better the level of education impartation at par with global standards.
Here’s hoping you found this blog helpful in understanding the need for integrating technology in your child’s learning, and it motivated you to do your bit in ensuring they reap the benefits technology can bring to them in the long run.
