How we work and interact with others is becoming more and more influenced by technology.
If you need to repair something, you might order parts online and watch a tutorial on YouTube. To catch up with a friend, you might pick up the phone or use a messaging app for a quick chat. If you have a burning question about something, you might search online or even “ask” the internet on a platform like Facebook or Quora.
Modern technology makes it all possible. One area in particular where technology has had a huge impact is education.
Institutions have largely remained the same in terms of teaching. Instructors still arrange lectures for a group of students to attend and participate. Students attend laboratory classes where they can apply what they’ve learned in a practical setting.
However, more institutions are adopting new tools to create more engaging learning experiences. Students are also embracing technology in creative ways to advance their skills and connect with others.
Here we’ll take a closer look at how technology continues to reshape student education.
1. Greater accessibility
In the past, students had to be physically present in a classroom to receive instruction. A teacher taught a lesson and students took notes. But these restrictions are no longer necessary.
Technology has given rise to online schooling — virtual classes that students can enroll in. It works like a traditional classroom, but everything is done online.
When the global pandemic hit, many schools worldwide had to shut down to prevent the spread of the virus. Despite these closures, teachers were able to hold remote classes with their students even though they weren’t in the same location.
Technology has also made it easier for students to access learning materials.
2. More learning formats
In a typical classroom setting, a teacher would teach out of a textbook and their students would follow along. The teacher might even show the occasional video depending on the topic.
Teachers today can now supplement their classes with devices like eReaders, tablets, and interactive whiteboards to create more engaging learning experiences. These devices are fairly inexpensive, which is important because financially challenged students are always looking for the best deals.
Virtual Reality (VR) headsets are another new and exciting piece of technology. Instead of watching a video of a historic site, students can “walk” through and even interact with their environment.
Google Expeditions is an example of an app that provides such an experience. Expeditions is a VR app that enables teachers to take their students on virtual tours around the world using a mixture of 360° views and 2D imagery.
3. Enhanced curriculum
Location often played a role in what you could learn in the past. If you were a student in a rural part of the country and you wanted to learn a foreign language, you’d likely be out of luck.
However, online education makes it possible for students to learn anything they want. Students can freely enroll in online Spanish classes and practice with a native speaker or even learn more specialized crafts like woodworking.
You no longer need to sign up for classes at a local university or travel great distances to find someone to share their expertise. Now you can enroll in online classes on practically any subject or even teach yourself with materials available on the web.
This also opens up new job opportunities, for example, a nursing student taking online radiology courses at a university hospital in a different location can apply for travel radiology jobs thanks to already being in contact with that hospital.
4. Increased flexibility
Curriculums typically follow strict schedules. If you can’t attend a class for any reason, you’ll either need to make it up another time or borrow notes from a friend.
Technology enables anyone to take control of their own education. Whether your time is limited because you have a full-time job or you’re a busy parent with kids, online classes give you the freedom to learn at your own pace.
Technological advancements have extended to the financial aspects of education. Online platforms for student loan refinancing have become increasingly accessible, allowing students to efficiently manage and potentially reduce their education-related debts. This is particularly beneficial for students looking to balance their financial responsibilities with their academic pursuits.
Location isn’t an issue, either. VPNs like NordVPN enable students from anywhere in the world to access resources, regardless of any location restrictions. With a VPN, students can “change” their location and view materials that might otherwise be unavailable to them.
5. More interaction methods
Before the internet, if you ran into a problem or had a question about something, you had a few options. You could try to figure it out yourself, attend office hours to ask your teacher or wait for the next class.
Technology has fundamentally changed interactions between teachers and students. If a student has a question about something, they can send a quick email or turn to instant messaging to get help. These options allow students to choose how they want to interact with their teacher.
The opposite is also true. In addition to in-person classes, teachers have more ways to interact with their students. Teachers can create an online portal, start a newsletter using email templates for students, and much more.
6. Increased personalization
Students tend to have varying learning styles. One student may learn best by listening (auditory), while another may need to see pictures to understand a concept (visual).
If one student receives instruction in their preferred learning style, the other may start to fall behind. It’s this achievement gap that’s led to a growing trend in differentiated instruction — tailoring instruction based on students’ learning needs.
Technology allows teachers to provide more personalized learning experiences. For example, teachers can tap into classroom data and identify areas that students struggle in. Teachers can then curate helpful resources based on this information and prepare more personalized lesson plans.
7. Streamlined administrative processes
When teachers spend hours on tedious tasks, it takes valuable time away from more important tasks like planning lessons and speaking with parents. Examples of mundane tasks include filling out paperwork and chasing signatures.
Another area that technology continues to change in education has to do with administrative work. Consider a simple maintenance request, like changing a broken lightbulb. Teachers would need to print and fill out a form by hand. Then they’d need to sign and deliver the form to the maintenance office. Completing these tasks manually wastes a lot of time.
To streamline administrative processes further, educators can leverage password management tools. These tools enhance the security of sensitive data by creating and storing robust passwords and simplifying the login and authorization procedures for various administrative systems. Teachers can securely access necessary forms and documentation, saving time and ensuring efficient administrative workflows.
Also, the use of workflow automation helps to streamline this process. Teachers can simply fill out an online form, sign it from their computer or mobile device, and have it routed to the right approver — all in a matter of minutes. This allows teachers to spend less time on administrative tasks and more time on lesson planning.
8. Preparation for the real world
Classrooms that embrace technology are helping students prepare for tech-savvy work environments. This is important when students start to enter the highly competitive job market.
As an example, graduates can use technology to help their resumes stand out. But there are some caveats.
9. Simplifying the school administration with a school management system
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software plays a pivotal role in simplifying administrative processes for schools and universities. These institutions face numerous challenges in managing diverse operations, including student enrollment, academic planning, resource allocation, and financial management. ERP systems streamline these tasks by integrating various functions into a centralized platform, facilitating efficient communication and data sharing across departments.
One significant advantage of ERP software in the education sector is its ability to automate and streamline student enrollment and registration processes. With a centralized database, administrators can easily track student information, manage admissions, and update records promptly.
This not only reduces the chances of errors but also enhances the overall efficiency of enrollment procedures. Furthermore, ERP systems enable seamless communication between academic departments, allowing for efficient planning and scheduling of classes, exams, and other educational activities.
Financial management is another area where ERP software proves invaluable for schools and universities. The software provides a comprehensive overview of the institution’s financial status, allowing administrators to track budget allocations, manage expenses, and generate financial reports. This transparency facilitates informed decision-making and helps ensure financial stability.
Additionally, ERP systems enhance communication between faculty, staff, and students, fostering collaboration and improving overall organizational efficiency. Features such as online portals and communication tools enable real-time information sharing, reducing the reliance on traditional and often time-consuming communication methods.
ERP software streamlines administrative processes for educational institutions by providing a centralized platform for managing various functions. From enrollment and academic planning to financial management and communication, these systems contribute to increased efficiency, reduced errors, and improved collaboration among stakeholders in the education sector.
Conclusion
Technology is increasingly playing an important role in education. Online classes in particular have had a positive impact on learning by making curriculums more accessible and giving students the flexibility to study at their own pace.
But it’s the combination of it all — the online classes, the interactive whiteboards, and the ability to learn from anywhere — that is truly reshaping student achievement.
Experience firsthand the comprehensive functionalities and efficiency-enhancing capabilities of this system, designed to elevate your school’s management processes to new heights. Take the first step toward revolutionizing your school’s operations by exploring our free demo today!
