Student’s Name

Professor’s Name

Course Name

Date

 

 

How the change in technology has transformed learning

Over the years, technological advances have changed tremendously, and the world of learning has not lagged. The progress of technology from personal computers development of the internet,  information systems, and smartphones which are now is accessible to nearly 90% of the world population, has led to growth in learning outside the classroom environment through the availability of information.

One of the significant ways how the development of information systems has transformed learning is making it possible for distance learning. College students are heavy users of the internet compared to the general population. Use of the internet for a college student is a daily routine, with nearly 20% of them having known computers between the ages of 5 and 8. At least 72 % of college students check their emails on a daily basis. About 85% of college students own computers. (Jones 2).

The use of the internet to communicate to Professors, either through handing in assignments or receiving learning materials is common practice in institutions of higher education, creating opportunities for students to learn from any location in the world as long as they can access a computer and internet.

 

 

Reduced cost of learning materials through the availability of e-books through over the internet has lowered costs of education for students who would otherwise find the learning materials out of reach due to costs. E-books have also created convenience where one can easily learn from the comfort of a phone or a tablet or a personal laptop.

Modern technological equipment e.g., overhead projectors, interactive whiteboards, and wireless internet, have opened up the classroom to the outside world. The change of page to screen has created a need for students as well as trainers/ teachers to learn new skills in technology and computer literacy which previously were not a necessity. The transition from chalk to PowerPoint has dramatically influenced the selection of training materials, as well as communication between leaners and students. (Marchetti and Cullen 40).

As much as advancement has made learning more accessible and available outside the classroom, learning institutions are adversely affected through costs. Developing infrastructure and e-learning programs will cost more upfront than developing classroom instruction for the same content. However, done right e-learning can provide individualized learning experiences that take advantage every time learners are away from their jobs for training. And while it may cost more to develop in the end, it may save more money when factoring in costs and limitations of traditional classroom learning. (Allen 121).

Although great strides have been made in the last two decades, currently we are entering a phase in education practice and thinking where the use of technology has enabled a shift and focus away from the classroom taking learners’ lives and experiences instead as the central point of learning. (Reinders and Cynthia 143). The use of creative ways of learning through technology has created new interest among learners to discover more knowledge and skills through research outside the classroom environment. Institutions are also able to track learners and their progress in their learning systems by use of technology, which saves them many man-hours and costs of hiring extra staff.

In conclusion, the dynamic transformation of technology from the personal computer, to integrated computer and information systems and ultimately to the evolution of the smartphone has eventually changed the ways of learning. Basic computer skills e.g., creating and presenting information either graphical or word form, through documents or slides on a screen have become a necessity in the learning environment, for both learners and teachers to advance and making ease the learning process.

Although there are disadvantages of the advancement of learning through technology primarily due to initial costs, it suffices to say that ultimately the benefits of technological advancement towards learning outweigh them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

Allen, Michael W. More Lies about Learning: Leading Executives Separate Truth from Fiction (2016): 119.

Marchetti, Lorena, and Peter Cullen. “A multimodal approach in the classroom for creative learning and teaching.” Psychological and creative approaches to language teaching5.1 (2016): 39-51.

Reinders, Hayo, and Cynthia White. “20 years of autonomy and technology: How far have we come and where to next?” Language Learning & Technology 20.2 (2016): 143-154.