Understanding Technology

for Education
Published Online: April 07, 2023 Niño Estolas, M.Ed.

"Young Boys on Computers" by Cherylt23 via Pixabay.com

Some define technology for education are merely tools and technological
applications are countless.

What matters more is how technology is applied.

Several uses of the same technology might be produced, even or
especially in education. So, it is essential to take into account all of the
potential uses when evaluating a technology's value. Simply expressed,
this means emphasizing media—which demonstrate a more extensive use
of technologies—rather than particular tools or technologies, but still
recognizing that technology is an essential component of almost all
media.
Therefore, by concentrating on media, we may include face-to-face
instruction as a medium and make comparisons with more
technologically focused media along a number of dimensions or
qualities. Face-to-face instruction, text, (still) pictures, audio (including
speech), video, and computing are the six main components of media. It
should be noted that in education, these aspects are generally used in
combination (including animation, simulations and virtual reality). The
formats, symbols, and cultural values of various media vary. The words
used most frequently to characterize these distinct traits are media
affordances or technological affordances.
As a result, different media can be used to aid students in learning in
different ways and achieving different goals, furthering customized
learning. Some technological improvements are comparable while others
are dissimilar along a range of factors. By concentrating on these
aspects, we may analyze new media and technologies, determine how
they "fit" within the current environment, and assess any potential
advantages or drawbacks for teaching and learning.
There are undoubtedly additional qualities or aspects of instructional
media that may be noted, these three essential qualities or aspects are the
most crucial: synchronous vs. asynchronous, single vs. rich media, and
broadcast vs. communicative. The way a particular medium is created,
however, will typically determine where it falls along any given
characteristic or dimension.
In addition, there is typically a limit to how far a technology can be
pressed along one of these dimensions; provided the technology is well-
designed, there will likely be a single, "natural" position on each
dimension for maximizing the educational benefits of the medium. A
new educational medium or application may make it feasible to attain
goals that were not previously thought to be conceivable. The targeted
learning objectives and outcomes must therefore be considered while
evaluating these aspects or attributes of the media.
Media have evolved throughout time to become more communicative,
asynchronous, and 'rich,' giving educators and students more effective
tools for instruction and learning. The Internet is a very potent medium
because it can incorporate all the qualities and facets of educational
media through the use of a variety of tools and media.
Nevertheless, there are difficulties with using and implementing
educational technology. For instance, public sectors have less than 10%
of schools report having AR, AI, and other emerging technology in their
classrooms, despite increased interest in its use. Overuse of screens,
instructors' ability to use technology effectively, and questions about
technology equity are other issues.
Also, the content issue has come to light because of the COVID-19
crisis. To enable students to examine a subject from a variety of
perspectives, teachers should be able to develop and comment on online
educational content. Due to the hasty decisions made during this crisis,
there wasn't enough time for this. Accessibility is also a problem; for
instance, not all schools have the resources to provide students with
computers, and internet connectivity in homes may be problematic.
Despite the fact that some students thrive in online learning
environments, others struggle for a variety of reasons, such as a lack of
support services. For example, a student who previously had difficulty in
face-to-face situations would have considerably more problems now.
These students may have used resources that aren't accessible to them at
home anymore.
Nonetheless, research has shown that when given the opportunity,
students frequently demonstrate confidence in pursuing online education.
Online learning, however, may pose challenges for teachers, particularly
in areas where it is not yet the norm. Besides the challenges and
problems, it's important to acknowledge the positive effects of
technology on education, including improved collaboration and
communication, higher academic standards, and interesting lessons that
foster students' intellectual curiosity and creative thinking.

Students Engaged Through Technology

Technology in the classroom may increase student engagement. Learners

develop from 1:1 initiative in schools because technology may be more
easily incorporated into the curriculum.

"Virtual Learning" by Mohamed Hassan via pixabay.com

In order to allow students to respond digitally to questions and lectures,

many teachers employ interactive software and programs as learning
technology. Also, as students progress through skills and earn badges,
gamified learning makes learning enjoyable and engaging.
You might be wondering what "student involvement" actually entails. It's
a valid question that academicians studying education are still debating.
It is significant to understand how it differs from participation. A student
can participate in class even if they are not very interested in the subject
matter. They might raise their hands and respond to questions with
answers they are familiar with, but it doesn't necessarily mean they have
considered the material. A student in math class, for instance, could be
able to answer problems rapidly using a formula, but they might not
comprehend why the method works or how to use it in other situations.
In contrast, meaningful learning is a component of student engagement.
This digital technology is increasingly used to deliver material, link
students, and allow anytime, anywhere learning is growing however, it
can be difficult to keep students interested in technology-mediated
learning.
If we want to use digital instructional technology effectively, we must
use instructional approaches that promote more engagement.

Components of Engagement.

• Behavioral Engagement - It is when a student's involvement in

their education, including both academic and extracurricular
activities as well as social ones

• Emotional Engagement- Includes students' feelings in the

classroom and among the school community or a sense of
belonging or connectedness to the school.

• Cognitive Engagement- This is the investment of a student in

their education including their motivation and self-regulation.

Elements Affecting Students' Participation.

• Teacher - This refers on the interaction style, level of support,

responsiveness, and behavioral and academic expectations

• School - It is more on the physical environment such as

classroom layout, noise levels, and lighting levels, as well as the
way the institution supports and corrects students.

• Family - This refers to the student's living situation, the degree

of parental involvement in and support of their education, and
familial ties.

• Curriculum and Resources - Refers on the things like learning

task factors including level of difficulty, interest, and
meaningfulness, learning goals and objectives, and assessment
methods, as well as the availability and type of learning
resources including education technology.
Collaborative Learning Through Technology

Students can communicate and save their work more easily because of
technology.

"Study" by Sasint via pixabay.com

Traditionally, when students worked together, they might have made

posters or notes documenting their collaborative efforts. Students can
now develop digital libraries of research and concepts through the use of
technology. The same tool allows them to write and draw
simultaneously, resulting in fully collaborative documents and projects.
A pedagogical strategy known as collaborative education is one that
emphasizes student interaction and group learning. This method deviates
from the conventional format of knowledge passing from teacher to
student in a single direction. Instead, in a collaborative setting where
they gain knowledge from their peers, students participate in the teaching
process. The use of distance learning helped to pave the way for an
education system that is more reliant on technology.
In order to sustain some type of collaborative learning, educators have to
adapt and use more technological tools and to sustain collaborative
learning settings at home, online learning platforms like Google
Classroom and Microsoft Teams were widely used. These tools made it
simple for students to collaborate on documents with their classmates
and teachers. The learning process also included virtual breakout rooms,
which allowed students to divide into smaller groups to work on a task or
project, promoting a more interesting peer-to-peer learning environment.
Students are able to collaborate on a single assignment toward a
common objective by using technology in collaborative learning.
Students can select the activities they want to participate in, such as
quizzes, games, or movies, while communicating with their friends,
depending on their learning preferences and interests.
Collaborative education also supports social and emotional learning.
Students gain experience with effective communication, teamwork, and
leadership skills through collaborative projects. These values should be
ingrained in students from K–12 in order to prepare them for the
collaborative workplaces of today.
Teachers can give a more dynamic learning experience by utilizing
technology to facilitate a collaborative approach to teaching.
Courses can be modified to meet the needs of each student. Using
online resources enables students to pursue interests and work at their
own speed while communicating with classmates.
This cooperative learning environment will contribute to improved
educational outcomes because students learn best when they are having
fun.

Social Inclusion Through Technology

Technology has made it possible for certain students to engage in the

classroom in ways they never have before thus any students who receive
special education may benefit from technology that makes it possible for
them to write, spell, read, and conduct mathematical calculations and the
word processors could be used to point out spelling mistakes to students
(Adio, M. 2022).

Photo credit by StartupStockPhotos via pixabay.com

With a connection to their current world, active pedagogies put the

student at the center of the learning process and engage them actively.
This boosts their desire to learn and makes them more engaged in the
process of their academic and personal growth.
Learning is more engaging for students, and they have a greater
understanding of how concepts relate to their surroundings.
As a result, they grow in their knowledge and skills in a unique and
independent manner. For example, the use of mobile learning, or the use
of mobile technology as educational tools, is promoted as a fantastic tool
for democratizing learning since it makes it simple and affordable to
access educational materials and content in a variety of media (text,
video, audio, etc.) and at various times and locations.

Differentiation Through Technology

"Brainstorming" by StartupStockPhotos via pixabay.com

Students now have instant access to a wide range of activities and

information sources. Instead of travelling to the library, where resources
could be scarce, teachers can find level readers much easier, and students
can choose research topics that suit their interests.
In order for students to analyze or further explore a topic, teachers might
also assign programs to help students improve or broaden their
knowledge. This activity can be completed in groups or during centers,
leaving the teacher to focus on one student at a time or other small
groups. This use of technology makes certain that each student receives
what they require.
Differentiating instruction has always been a practice of effective
teachers.
Differentiated education is simply responsive teaching, in which the
teacher recognizes the requirements of each of his students and adjusts
the curriculum accordingly.
The knowledge base that a student will investigate becomes the
"content," the method by which a student gains access to knowledge is
the "process," and the evaluation of the student's mastery of a subject
is the "product" of learning.
Planning differentiated instruction has a lot of advantages, one of which
is that it encourages teachers to learn more about the unique needs and
abilities of each student.
The teacher-student relationship can be strengthened by paying attention
to it. Also, focusing on the classroom setting improves the context for
teaching.
In addition, by fulfilling students' needs and providing them with the
crucial prerequisite skills and knowledge needed to grasp content,
catering to students' readiness to learn promotes academic growth.
The use of technology in special education encompasses a wide range of
applications like assistive technology, adaptive technology, and the basic
use of computers for instruction.

Productivity and Creativity Through Technology

Opportunities for collaboration and communication have also risen due

to advances in technology.

"Blogging" by Stocksnap via pixabay.com

While some believe that restricting technology can improve attention and
productivity, the reality is that the same technology can be used
effectively to make most activities simpler and faster with some
discipline and effort.
In the past, classrooms have been somewhat solitary places where
students could only collaborate with those in their own class or building.
Modern technology makes it possible to communicate and work together
in ways that were before unimaginable. Facebook, Messenger, Zoom,
Google Meet and Google Docs are some examples of technological
platforms that students can use to collaborate on group assignments. The
boundaries of the classrooms are no longer an impediment because
technology has made it possible to learn, communicate, and collaborate
in new ways.
Today, we see the teacher's role changing to that of a "guide on the side"
in many classrooms as students take more responsibility for their own
learning by using technology to gather relevant data. This is due to the
access to information and educational opportunities that technology has
made possible.
Technology is a dynamic element that can assist and improve education
in a variety of ways, from making it simpler for teachers to develop
lesson plans to opening up new avenues for individual and group
learning.
A new era of education that can take place whenever and wherever is
emerging thanks to the internet's global reach and the prevalence of
smart gadgets that can connect to it.
Future Focus Through Technology

Although we are unsure of the types of occupations that will occur when
many of our students become adults and begin entering the workforce,
we do know that technology is here to stay.
To succeed in whatever job or career they choose to pursue after
graduation, students will require excellent technological abilities.
A student's future can be affected by just adopting a mindset that values
studying and utilizing new technology.

References:

• American University (2020). How Important Is Technology in Education? Benefits, Challenges, and
Impact on Students.
• Australian Christian College (2020). How education technology improves student engagement.

• Bates, A.W. (2015). Understanding the foundations of educational media.

• Corpuz, B. & Lucido, P. (2008). Educational Technology I. Lorimar Publishing, Quezon City,
Philippines
• Flice, M. (2010). Differentiating Technology.

• Grand Canyon University (2020). 8 Benefits of Technology in The Classroom.

• Kolber, J. (20220. Why Is Collaborative Education Is A Key?

• Newby, T.J., Stepich, D.A., Lehman, & J.D. (2019). Educational Technology for Teaching and
Learning. Lorimar Publishing Inc., Quezon City, Philippines
• Purdue University (2023). How Has Technology Changed Education?

Understanding Technology for Education by Niño Estolas is licensed

under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.