This blog post intends to address the notion that within modern day society particularly within the first world, technology has had a huge impact on how we learn new information. Furthermore incorporated within this academic blog post shall be a brief overview into some of the area that technology has impacted upon learning within an educational setting; including, how research by both students and educators is conducted, which shall include addressing Online self-study and the utilisation of online tools. To summarise this post shall also provide a brief analysis with regards to the question “Has technology changed the way we learn".
In terms of research, it is evident that the internet and android technology have given rise to a wide range of applications and electronic learning devices which have greatly altered the way in which students are carrying out the vast majority of their self-directed research (Harasim, 2012). This has arguably been very useful for that vast majority of students who are utilising these resources in order to conduct their research as it provides them with a wealth of knowledge and information that is readily available online. Furthermore, has also been a fantastic resource for teachers also as they are able to supply learners with relevant websites and online resources that are ideal to obtain information and effective tools in order to research specific subject matters. The Internet also provides teachers with the opportunity to further their knowledge of the subject and to be up to date with current trends and research within the profession. Thus, promoting continued professional development (Sutherland, R., John, P. and Robertson, S. (2007). Furthermore, with the use of online liberty’s individuals pursuing an academic discipline are now able to gain access to primary literature with relative ease.
A further notion in reference to the way in which the technology has altered the way in which individuals learn is that now a number of academic institutions are implementing technological advances, such as the internet and web based tools within their education setting. To the point where an individual could complete an entire course without ever stepping foot inside a classroom. Therefore, It appears that this has actually altered the way which some individuals choose to studying an academic discipline as a wide range of courses are now available with relative ease gain as a result of applied technological advance within the field of educating. This form of self-study has enabled people to take classes at their own pace and convenience, which is of particular use to students in full time employment and students with a disability.
The Internet has also made it easy to get study materials such as textbooks, software and other tools needed for learning with ease (Harasim, 2012). This point can be illustrated by highlighting that websites such as Blackboard.com are utilised by a number of educational institution and have` been used to produce a number of internet notice boards that students can exchange ideas over, check their grades and gather information about their assessments. This has arguably improved communication between the institution and the students which is essential. As communication is an essential part of education, therefore, to use technology in such a way has improved and changed the way in which educators and students communicate. One such area of changes to the medium of communication is that a vast majority of teacher/ student communication is done via electronic mail, which has opened up a rapid/ open channel of communication between teachers and students (Mc Cormick etal (1993)
After reflecting upon the literature in accordance to how technology has changed the way in which we learn could be concluded, that the advances in technology have given rise to an online / technological revolution which in turn. This has altered to way we live and learn just as much if not more than the industrial revolution did. Therefore, upon drawing upon this conclusion it could be argued that the Internet is here to stay and it will affect how we learn and how we continue to learn so it could be proposed that ITC is now an essential part of the educational system within a post-industrious, technological society.
References
Bastock j. a. (2013). Teaching 14-19 A handbook. Mc Grawhill international.
Harasim, L. (2012) Learning Theory and Online Technologies New York/London: Routledge.
Mc Cormick, R, Murphy, P and Harrison, M (1993)Teaching and Learning technology, Open University press, Cornwall
Sutherland, R., John, P. and Robertson, S. (2007) Improving Learning with ICT.
London: Routledge
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