Learning in the Digital Age: Technology and Education

It is hardly an exaggeration to say that technology has revolutionized education and yielded significant advantages. Amazing technological advancements like iPads, laptops, and smartphones have given students of all ages access to a new universe of knowledge in a relatively short amount of time. And the benefits of technology in education is almost infinite.

Imagine a student who is bored. The cliche is so common that it is easy to think of. You will probably be picturing a student   staring out the window, daydreaming during a lesson. The student tunes out the teacher with probably more amusing ideas. Put simply, they have no interest at all.

But plug the same young learner or teen into a tablet or other device now and watch as their engagement with the learning process grows. The interactivity excites, drawing the learner in. Technology in the classroom not only gives pupils a boost of motivation and energy, but it also encourages active learning, which is an ideal goal in education.

Technology captivates and engages learners, but it also helps cater to the various learning needs of the different students in the class. With technology, the task of accommodating different learning styles is made easier. 

Some common examples include:

• Auditory learners respond best to spoken rather than written words. For these pupils, (thanks to technology) recorded lessons, audiobooks, and podcasts can effectively be woven into lessons.

• Visual learners rely more on sight than sound, however. They read faster than auditory learners and tend to pay more attention to details when reading. When it comes to integrating technology into the classroom for these types of students, ebooks and interactive whiteboards are good choices. In addition, PowerPoint lessons with graphs and other visually-oriented materials such as videos are beneficial.

• Tactile learners find active learning best, so teachers can encourage them to use their sense of touch. This can be stimulated by use of a tactile screen on an iPad, for example.

Technology in the classroom also helps to prepare students for the future. Ultimately, the education system is all about preparing young people for the rest of their lives. A big part of their future will be the work world. Increasingly, this means being comfortable with new technology. At Astor International School, we are working hard to help with this, whilst ensuring that our students are grounded in the physical and natural world as well.