Every time we speak of schools, classrooms or curriculum we will see more heads speaking of the digital integration or asking of the digital agenda in the school.
Be it students, parents or educators, digitization has become an integral part of everyone’s’ lives and they expect the use of it one of the most important part of one’s life i.e. education.
Mentioned below are some of the reasons why schools are using technology:
1. Marketing Gimmick
Because this era consists of people from pre technology times and those who are tech savvy, a lot of chaos is there on the use of technology. For some, it still is a symbol of “luxury”, whereas we do have those people as well who actually believe in the power and the way technology makes education effective and efficient. With mixed mindsets, lack of awareness and under the veil of ignorance, many education organizations is using the presence of technology in their organizations as a marketing gimmick to make prospects believe in the “quality they deliver with the availability of technology”.
2. Administration
One of the most important reasons for the availability of technology among institutions is for the administration. With so many things to do, technology has been a blessing to the administration to perform all the tasks easily, maintain records, stay in loop with the mandatory department and a lot more functions that are done efficiently with the help of technology.
3. Delivery of Instruction
When talking of delivery of instruction in relation to technology, one thing that is essential is the betterment of education when combined with technology for both ends. One key reason for the integration of technology is the better delivery of instruction from educators for students. Not just technology extends the learning outside the walls of the classroom it also makes it mobile giving students the benefits of learning anytime anywhere. Technology allows the tables to be turned. Instead of teaching, students can be given projects that require them to learn the necessary material themselves. Key to this is the ability to get the information they need any time anywhere, without being in the physical presence of a teacher. This project-based approach makes learning far more interesting for the student.
5. Going Global
The big players do want their students to get global under the name of their organizations. The worldview of the student can be expanded because of the zero cost of communicating with other people around the globe. The Internet permits free video conferencing which permits interaction in real time with sister schools in other countries. From an educational viewpoint, what could be more important than understanding other cultures through direct dialog and collaboration?
6. New Media for Self-Expression
Self-expression is essential for everyone in order to come out and showcase the strengths one holds.
In the old days, students could write in a notebook, and what they wrote was seen only by the teacher. Using modern technology they can: Make a PowerPoint presentation, record/edit spoken word, do digital photography, make a video, run a class newspaper, run a web based school radio or TV station, , compose digital music on a synthesizer, make a website, create a blog. This self-expression with technology is so much better and when a student is talented, expressing the talents in an online world the reach is unlimited. Students learn best when they create things, not when they just consume information. This reach and visibility is essential not just to students but for organizations as well. All such great talents are highlighted on the schools’ portfolio which again is good for the reputation building of the organization.
Technology is a beneficial component to the functioning of organization is used correctly. What’s your take on the integration of technology on any organization? What can be other reasons for schools to adopt tech within premises?
