How Technology is Transforming the Education System

Few sectors have been more transformed in the modern era through technological advancements than the Education system. An analysis throws up three critical factors and reasons for this change.

The first has more to do with the environment that students are likely to face after graduation when they step into the real world of jobs and cutthroat competitions. Technology is inherent in the world and jobs and their future is dependent on advanced technologies and tools. Hence it is necessary to develop their digital skills much before they meet this ecosystem by having technology as a central component in the learning process.

Second, technology facilitates access to content and education despite the many problems of the education system like teacher shortages or high costs. With technology, it is learning anytime and from anywhere, even remote locations.

Finally, technology helps in advancing a personalized learning environment that is outside the traditional systems and formal contexts. All these make for the development of new skillsets and expertise that are more tuned to the needs of the modern world and the future.

Traditional Learning vs Virtual Learning

It is difficult to visualize education today without online learning and the use of technology. Yes, instances of program failure are not unheard of but in most cases, it is not because of a flaw in technology but more due to defects in the design, implementation, and development of the program. Hence, the question that facilitators, teachers, and principals must ask themselves is what their teaching goals are and from there think of the technology that is best suited for the transformation in learning.

• Traditional learning: What keeps traditional learning going is the ability of students to interact with other students and the teachers in a live environment. However, this kind of lifestyle may not suit students because of strict attendance norms, lack of flexibility, and sometimes unsuitable campus life. Being absent from classrooms because of part-time jobs can be held against the students and they might be barred from exams too. On the whole, traditional classroom learning is funneled towards a fixed curriculum that becomes a threat to the willingness to learn. Fortunately, technologies in education have opened up a world of opportunities for students. 
• Virtual learning: Virtual learning is the education that is imparted over the Internet and is generally known as eLearning or “distance learning”. It represents learning that takes place remotely and not in classrooms.

The technology is a replacement for physical classrooms. The learning management system software helps to optimize learning in several directions. These include assignments that have to be submitted online, discussions in a forum format, and interacting with teachers and professors over email to further the learning process. This learning methodology is ideal for those looking for greater flexibility, convenience, and accessibility. Lessons can be attended and completed at suitable times without leaving home to commute to classes. Virtual learning is cost-effective too as expenses like commuting, books, and tuition fees are done away with.

The benefits of virtual learning are in no way inferior to the traditional education system. Online degree programs are often conducted by experienced industry authorities who apart from offering high teaching standards provide advice on how to prosper professionally after graduation. The quality of education is high and the relevance of the virtual learning teaching programs is appropriate to the needs of the technologically advanced workplaces today.

The rise in the popularity of virtual learning in recent times can also be attributed to the stringent lockdowns and social distancing norms imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Thanks to e-learning and the technology used, the education system has remained unscathed.

Student Safety in Online Education

It is essential to maintain safety while learning over the Internet, more so because most students are new to the online environment.

Here are some safety tips to follow.

• Personal information: Students should never impart their personal information like name, school, address, telephone number, and credit card details. This includes friends and family.
• Online bullying: Just as in traditional schools, students might be subject to bullying online too. If abusive messages are received, someone in authority should be informed about them.
• Do not post negative messages: Any posts on the Internet will be seen by friends, strangers, students, and teachers. Post messages on a safe place like a protected school discussion board where you can give school-appropriate information.
• Protect passwords: Do not part with confidential information like passwords. Being Internet savvy is the first step towards being a good online learner. Further, letting others access password may jeopardize the schoolwork and assignments done.
• Good Internet practices: Be careful about opening unsolicited links, emails, and messages from unknown addresses. Follow good Internet practices and be careful about downloading files and installing software.
• Ethical work practices: Students should not plagiarize someone’s content and pass it off as their own. It is against the law to distribute any content created by others.
• Evaluate information: While browsing the Internet for classwork content, it is not necessary to believe everything found online. Students should learn to distinguish between reliable and unreliable information and when in doubt, clarify the matter with online teachers.

It is advisable to follow these best practices when being in a technologically advanced education system.

Attendance Tracking Technology in Education

Attendance tracking software is one of the technological marvels in the education system with several benefits.

The software enables teachers to carry out paperless management of multiple timetables which can be shared online with students and parents. In schools, regular attendance is a parameter for promotion and academic scores. In the online scenario, attendance software calculates points and scores through codes that are embedded in the software. Further, the software has biometric face recognition capabilities that prevent students from missing out on classes.

Most critically, the software helps to track not only the attendance of the students but also the staff. The platform allows the creation of attendance records that can be imported and shared with parents.

Conclusion 

It is generally the goal of educators to personalize the learning experience of students. This can be achieved with technology that helps them to access real-time student data, content, and apps to reach the next level in education and launch new models for learning and teaching.