Technology integration in classrooms and student learning outcomes

¶ … Information Systems on Policies and Student Learning

Technology has pervaded the twenty-first century classroom. Textbooks are replaced by tablets, and students can now research virtually anything they desire on their smartphones. Technology use has utterly transformed the lives of students; social media is the ideal example of how technology now rules the way people lead their life. Educators have also seen technology's benefits in classrooms firsthand. A research by CompTIA -- the information technology trade association -- found that roughly three-quarters of educators believe that technology has positively influenced the process of teaching/learning (Alex, 2007). Further, educators acknowledge the significance of inculcating technological skills within today's students, in order to prepare them to join the modern, tech-intensive workplace after completing their education.

How technology does or will impact you in your current or future classroom

Technology has had a rather significant impact on present-day schools. Widespread technology adoption has completely transformed the teaching/learning process. Teachers are seen familiarizing themselves with novel technologies for teaching (such as Smart Boards, iPads, computers, tablets and digital cameras), while modern-day pupils use advanced technology for shaping the way they learn. Promotion of technology and its integration into classrooms will help set learners up for success after school. Some of the benefits of technology in classrooms are as follows.

Use of Technology in Classrooms Brings Fun to the Learning Process

The previously mentioned CompTIA study also showed that students favor the use of technology in teaching as they feel it makes the process of learning more entertaining and interesting. In particular, they like the use of tablets and laptops. Subjects regarded by students as boring or challenging may be made more interesting through the application of tablets, videos and virtual lessons.

It Helps Prepare Pupils for Future Endeavors

The CompTIA study discovered that 90% of students believed technology use in classrooms would aid them in preparing for the technology intensive future. Twenty-first century technological skills are crucial for success in this era. Jobs that had no digital component earlier might begin having one. Education does not merely deal with memorization of vocabulary words and facts; it entails complex problem-solving and the ability to cooperate and work with other people. Educational technology in classrooms helps equip pupils for future life and prepares them for the increasingly digital modern-day economy.

It Connects with Learners

Technology is central to students' lives. Virtually every student activity outside of school is linked to technology in some way or the other. Integration of technology into classrooms helps teachers bring modifications to their method of teaching (traditional teaching entailed 6 hours of lectures daily), while simultaneously providing learners with valuable tools for ensuring their success in this technological age (Cox, 2016).

How technology will impact education in the future

A consideration of technology's future impact on the teaching/learning process involves some amount of crystal gazing. The present economic climate, together with resultant reductions in budget (Song, 2011), represents one among the most noteworthy trends impacting the educational sector at present. Owing to budget cutbacks, and associated opportunities and challenges, schools are forced to show better results with fewer funds. Students with physical, sensory, learning, and cognitive disabilities may find mathematics particularly difficult. Technology and suitable alterations to teaching can assist them in learning and mastering mathematics like all other students (Deubel, 2008).

Students today no longer need to assemble in large auditoriums for listening to lectures. Through leveraging of online platforms, professors' lectures may be pre-recorded for students, who can access core content anywhere, and at any time. Lectures and content can also be accessed multiple times. In other words, lecture time can be devoted to augmenting lecture content, through group exercises, discussions, quizzes, etc. With the availability of online lecture content, educators can re-think classroom experiences. A new peer-faculty and peer-peer interaction model is required, since this represents one among the most crucial elements of learning in classrooms. Instructors have a great opportunity to develop a more comprehensive learning experience, through the incorporation of real-time conversation with experts in the industry, or through building small online group experiences, which enable increased course personalization to suit students' needs. Faculty is one of higher education's greatest costs. The concept that faculty is able to increasingly reach bigger audiences in the 'classroom' implies per unit teaching costs may decrease. However, this is only possible if better, or at least similar, learning outcomes are achieved. Merely making lecture content available online isn't enough to resolve the cost issue (Say, 2012).

Conclusion

Technology undergoes changes every minute, and hence, educators must remain updated with changes for best preparing their pupils for this rapidly-changing era. Although technology integration into classrooms definitely has several benefits, one must bear in mind that conventional learning/teaching processes are equally important. Educators need to devote time to learning all elements of educational technology before incorporating it into their classroom, to ensure it has an effective and profound positive impact on student learning.