2. The rapid and constant pace of change in
Technology is creating both opportunities and
challenges for schools. The opportunities include
greater access to rich, multimedia content, the
increasing use of online course taking to offer classes
not otherwise available, the widespread availability of
mobile computing devices that can access the
Internet, and growing interest in the power of digital
games for more personalized learning.
3.
4. In order to prepare students to play their role in the 21st century society
we are a part of, the following can be considered when deciding how
education will look in our schools and classrooms.
While student-centered learning is strongly encouraged in the
21st century, this does not mean that the teacher can never give
a lecture again. Education is no longer about listening to the
teacher, talk and absorbing the information. In order to
contribute to society, students will need to be able to acquire
new information as problem arise. They will not be able to call
upon a teacher for answers, so will need to have “learned how
to learn” on their own. In this classroom model, the teacher
would act as a facilitator for the students.
5. Students must learn how to collaborate with others.
Society today has people collaborating across the globe.
Students should be encouraged to work together to
discover information, piece it together, and construct
meaning. Collaboration should also be dynamic. Students
should learn how to recognize the different strengths and
talents each person had.
The teacher can make a point of helping students to
understand how the skills they are building can be applied
in their lives. Students will be much more motivated to
learn something that they can see the value in.
6. Technology is a tool, a way for fact-based learning and allows
students to do a lot of the research using the Internet and various
tools. And at the same time these students are learning very
valuable research skills, which they can transplant at high levels of
education, at universities and beyond.
1. Technology allows for 24/7 access to information
2. Constant social interaction, and
3. Easily created and shared digital content.
7. There is a call for action to integrate as a fundamental building block into
education in three broad areas:
1. Use technology comprehensively to develop proficiency in 21st
century skills.
2. Use technology comprehensively to support innovative
teaching and learning
3. Use technology comprehensively to create robust education
support systems.
8. IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS OF
EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY
1. Improvement of Teaching
Educational Technology analyses the process of teaching
thoroughly. It tries to find out the different variables of teaching, their
interlinks, effects upon each other, relationships, theories of teaching,
phases of teaching, principles of teaching, maxims of teaching, etc. By
developing the theories of teaching, it helps in improving the quality of
education.
2. Analysis of Teaching-Learning Process
It tries to find out the different variables of teaching their
interlinks effects upon each other, relationship, etc. Over all, it tries to
establish better relationship between teaching and learning.
9. 3. Improvement of Learning
It facilitates more and more of learning in less time. It takes
the help of various empirically established generalizations from
psychology, sociology, physical sciences, engineering, etc.
4. Enhancing goals of Education
Educational Technology helps in enhancing the right
objectives in the light of the changed circumstances and changed
environment.
5. Training to Teachers
The changed type of environment with new curriculum and
new materials is to be handled by the teachers. Right type of
training to the teachers is the need of the hour. Educational
technology can render its valuable help in the training of the
teacher also.
10. 6. Development of Curriculum
Keeping in view the objectives of education, which have been
finalized by education technology thereafter, comes the question of
developing right type of curriculum. Only a suitable type of curriculum
will help in the attainment of goals.
7. Development of Teaching-Learning Materials
Teaching-learning materials are also as important as anything
else in the teaching-learning process. They have to be in accordance
with the environment of the learners. Only right type of materials will
able to modify the behavior of the learners suitably making him a fit
person for the society.
8. Teaching-Learning Strategies
The strategy has to be the right one, which should be
according to the materials and is able to bring about effective
teaching learning.
11. 9. Development of Audio-Visual Aids
They need be used according to the times. The software aids,
The hardware aids, the computer and other such appliances, equipment
etc., have “to be used in the present type of teaching-learning
environment”.
10. Help in overall improvement
Educational technology helps in locating the problems in the
different areas of education. It also helps in remedying the draw-backs.
Evaluation of the teaching-learning process is also made better because
through feedback, things are improved thoroughly and there is better
control over the process of education.
11. Identification of Needs of the Community
Educational Technology identifies the needs of the community. It
helps in providing equal education opportunities to backward people,
disadvantaged students and deprived sections of the society.