Technology in the Classroom | E-Learning
By: Fahad Bitar
Tags: Online Learning, Education Technology, Education, School Erp, Online Teaching

When online teaching-learning brings the classroom to the student

Just a decade ago, teachers and parents would have balked at the idea of students bringing their own devices to school…or bringing technology into the classroom. Some still do! The argument against technology portrays it as a new age Pied Piper leading our children astray. Admittedly, there may be some risks with unsupervised access to devices, but the benefits for K12 education are way too significant for institutions and parents to impose a blanket ban on the technology.

Technology in Classroom | E-Learning

Some schools and higher education institutions have chosen to welcome technology into their classrooms. They have discovered, to their delight, that learning outcomes have improved exponentially with the introduction of e-learning platforms. Just as school authorities and administrations have understood that school management software is a boon saving them precious time and resources.

Here’s why technology, when used in an informed, meaningful and well-thought-out manner, can revolutionize the lives of teachers and students and create a brighter future for them.

Equity and access : E-Learning is not just about technology. E-Learning platforms are virtual classrooms that give the geographically remote, the handicapped, the aged easy access to education. By adapting the curriculum, assessments, and tools of learning to the student with special needs, it gives her or him the privilege that has been denied by birth or location. Moreover, most online learning programs can boast of certified and competent teachers who offer state-accredited programs and the possibility of credit recovery/remediation.

: E-Learning is not just about technology. E-Learning platforms are virtual classrooms that give the geographically remote, the handicapped, the aged easy access to education. By adapting the curriculum, assessments, and tools of learning to the student with special needs, it gives her or him the privilege that has been denied by birth or location. Moreover, most online learning programs can boast of certified and competent teachers who offer state-accredited programs and the possibility of credit recovery/remediation. Learner-centered : Flexible and highly adaptable, technology can change equations in the classroom. It blurs boundaries between the teacher and the taught. Many teachers have had to abandon the old methodologies of teaching that were lecture-based. Courseware is so designed today that the student, in collaboration with the teacher and peers, actively enquires into aspects of a subject that may not be covered by the curriculum, solves problems, discovers phenomena that may never have been revealed in the four-walled classroom and immerses himself in virtual situations that push the envelope of experiential learning.

: Flexible and highly adaptable, technology can change equations in the classroom. It blurs boundaries between the teacher and the taught. Many teachers have had to abandon the old methodologies of teaching that were lecture-based. Courseware is so designed today that the student, in collaboration with the teacher and peers, actively enquires into aspects of a subject that may not be covered by the curriculum, solves problems, discovers phenomena that may never have been revealed in the four-walled classroom and immerses himself in virtual situations that push the envelope of experiential learning. Complements traditional classrooms when Flipped or Blended: Learning methodology has evolved to include technology in innovative ways. A quick glance at two forms of technology-based learning that have led to excellent learning outcomes, while creating a learning environment that is both fun and structured. The Blended Learning model is an artful and intuitive combination of online learning and traditional face-to-face classroom learning. Online learning makes good use of videos, games, podcasts, and courseware (educational software) or other online resources. The lectures are usually supported by a good LMS (Learning Management System).

In flipped learning, the delivery of traditional subject material is reversed. Educators prepare audio or video lectures that are accessed by students at home. These lectures are then recapitulated and their understanding consolidated in the traditional classroom under the guidance of a trained teacher. Assignments are completed and doubts are cleared in the classroom itself.

Immersive and interactive : Simulations of real-life experiences or processes with the help of technology helps students understand the rationale behind a certain phenomenon. These virtual experiences can replace the science lab to an extent and develop critical thinking abilities. Immersive and interactive, these virtual experiences in e-Learning have introduced students to 3D in the classroom. Dissections, environmental issues, plant or animal anatomy, history, when presented through simulations makes the learning experience far more intense and is seen to aid retention significantly.

: Simulations of real-life experiences or processes with the help of technology helps students understand the rationale behind a certain phenomenon. These virtual experiences can replace the science lab to an extent and develop critical thinking abilities. Immersive and interactive, these virtual experiences in e-Learning have introduced students to 3D in the classroom. Dissections, environmental issues, plant or animal anatomy, history, when presented through simulations makes the learning experience far more intense and is seen to aid retention significantly. A wealth of resources: Technology has placed a wide array of educational resources at the disposition of both teacher and student. Entire libraries can be housed in compact devices. Videos, podcasts, documentaries, digital textbooks and much more can be accessed at the click of a button, making consultation, referencing, research and advanced learning a cinch.

This list is by no means exhaustive. LMS and LMS platforms, e-Learning hardware, teacher training modules, online learning tools merit much more attention. But those would be subjects for another blog.

I would like to conclude by pointing out that it is perhaps time to accept that technology, although far from flawless, has patiently helped both the learner and teacher evolve. The interactivity between teachers and students has increased manifold, and one can be grateful to those discussion forums, emails, online journals/blogs, real-time chats, quizzes, and file exchange platforms for bringing about this degree of positive communication and collaboration amongst teachers, students, and their peers. The self-paced, self-learning subject modules give students a sense of achievement and pride, which can only contribute to improving learning outcomes.

Teachers too are given an opportunity to create course content and by sharing control of their teaching sessions with students, they feel less pressured to always be in charge. A more relaxed classroom is ultimately what technology can offer, without in any way compromising on the learning experience and its outcomes, which promise to be brilliant!