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Technology in Teaching and Learning

Today, technology is possibly the most powerful factor shaping the education system. Many school districts are demonstrating their support for increased levels of technology in the classroom by providing hardware such as tablets and computers, improving internet connectivity, and implementing computer literacy programs for both teachers and students. Although teachers generally recognize the value of educational technologies, they frequently find the smooth and effective integration of new educational technologies difficult. Technology integration presents significant challenges to educators and learners at all levels of school systems, from the acquisition of new technology equipment to the adaptation of curricula and teaching techniques to incorporate new educational tools.

The education sector is under pressure to integrate technological concepts into all subjects. Doctors will need to understand the technology that will be used in the laboratory. Teachers must also use technology in the classroom. The trend can be seen in all professional fields. While the desire to incorporate technology education is strong, administrators, teachers, students, and parents face numerous challenges.

WHAT ARE THESE CHALLENGES BROUGHT BY TECHNOLOGY IN 21st CENTURY TEACHING AND LEARNING?

Fast-moving technology 

Technology is a fast-evolving sector. The program or gadget used in marketing today, for example, will have been replaced in a month or a year. It leaves the teachers and curriculum developers in a dilemma. They do not know the concepts or ideas to teach and those to ignore. 

The speed of change could render the classes useless. A student who learned a technology or programming trick in the first year might not use it upon graduation because it will have been replaced. It requires a lot of updating to the point that a college might not produce uniform students for the same degree.

2. Unequal access to technology gadgets 

Education is supposed to be an equalizer. All students must have equal access to learning opportunities provided by the government. Some of the gadgets and equipment are provided by parents and the institution. Funding gaps make it difficult for students to access similar learning equipment. 

The type of gadgets required to implement tech education differ. Some come with better features than others. Some students can also afford private gadgets, resulting in better exposure. Economic disparities result in diverse outcomes. The same teacher produces two sets of students, each with a different level of technical mastery. Such outcomes negate the goals of education.

3. Students learn faster than the teacher 

The speed at which technology evolves could leave the teacher behind. Students access the internet and can read more or ahead of the teacher. Some may also access gadgets or pursue courses that are not accessible to teachers. The teacher is left to catch up with their skills. It dents the credibility of the teacher in class. 

If students are ahead of the teacher, they will lose faith in his capability. They may also disregard the class, especially when they feel that it is wasting their time. They lose an opportunity to master the basic skills they need to advance their technical skills.

4. Technology being obsolete too fast 

What should the teacher teach and are there ideas to ignore? Technology is rendered redundant extremely fast. By the time academic materials are developed and knowledge accumulated, the same technology is not useful. Such challenges make technology a slippery subject. 

Some institutions might consider particular aspects necessary. Others would prefer to skip them. Such disparities result in a chaotic technology education environment. 

5. Copyright issues slowing down the release of information

The power of technology is seen in manufactured gadgets and equipment. However, manufacturers are not keen to share their secrets. The education sector is left to guess through the learning process. In other cases, some institutions fail to share the information with peers. The students in the faculty will, therefore, be ahead of others. 

In reverse, institutions may develop technology and gadgets in the course of their technology class. They delay releasing the same to the market for fear of copyright infringement. Students and teachers also want to share the benefits of emerging copyright fortunes. Such delicate situations affect the technology concepts available to learners. 

6. Expensive technology tools

Some of the technology gadgets a teacher would want to use are unavailable. Some are too expensive to be dismantled during a class session. Some colleges or students can afford particular gadgets while others cannot. Such cost issues slow down technology lessons and will cause disparity. 

While technology education is desirable, it is not easy to implement. Teachers, students, parents, and administrators have to manage a chaotic as well as fast-evolving environment to deliver tech education. Students may lose due to expensive gadgets and a fast-paced learning environment. Such situations make technology education difficult to handle.

HOW TO OVERCOME THIS CHALLENGE?

To overcome these obstacles, everyone must understand and identify the key components of ICT capability. When evaluating ICT capability, make holistic judgments based on broad criteria. Encourage learning progression in the development of concepts, knowledge, skills, and confidence applied to tasks, as well as the range and type of problems addressed.

Show your teachers the opportunities to collaborate that tech provides – not just with colleagues, but with students too. The collaborative tools that come with introducing technology into the classroom and their potential to enhance teaching and learning are varied and wide-reaching.

We all know that the use of technology helped us a lot and gave us an advantage to many different things. But just like what is said in a TV Commercial about an alcohol drink, “Drink Responsibly” as a user of technology we must “utilize responsibly.