Technology Essays
Reading 1
Some people argue that technology has changed the education system for the better and I agree with that sentiment. In this essay. I will provide my reasons for believing that education has improved due to the advances in information technology. I will also conclude with my predictions of education, powered by technology.
The first and strongest reason for agreeing that technology has contributed to the improvement of education is the tools it has put in the hands of the teachers. The instructors, especially those teaching sciences have better methods of demonstrating concepts to the students. This development has been made possible by the advanced simulations and models available to instructors via technology. According to Kessler (2015), simulations and models are digitally presented, meaning they do not undergo the wear and tear experienced by the physical ones used earlier on. Simulations allow the students to experiment in virtual environments and understand the subjects better repeatedly.
Another reason is the use of multimedia in teaching students. Digital multimedia are available in the form of pictures, videos, and audio. These approaches of instruction are entertaining and attract and retain the attention of the students for longer than the traditional methods of teaching do. The content issued to the students using a multimedia approach is easier to recall than that disseminated using the conventional method, boosting their scores. Other ways in which technology has boosted education include the creation of a global learning platform, better and real-time assessment methods, and the use of probes and sensors to indicate the changes of state in science subjects.
To sum up, I have presented the several reasons that have led me to believe that education has been improved by technology. In the future, I expect technology to advance enough to be fused with human consciousness. Such a merging of the digital world with the consciousness of people will enable people to have access to all knowledge on the internet without having to undergo formal education.
Reading 2
The educationalist Mark Prensky presents the view that changes should take place in the education curriculum to reflect the advances that have been achieved in technology. In this essay, I will discuss that viewpoint with several examples and then conclude whether I and with him. I will also present my expectation for the future of the curriculum.
The first reason for Prensky holding that opinion is that the general arrangement of the classroom has remained the same from the 19th century. According to Wakefield (2016), the class almost is typically composed of desks facing a black or whiteboard. The use of the same outlook of education for hundreds of years signals that the paradigm behind schooling has not changed despite the disruption by technology.
The second reason for the failure of the curriculum to keep pace with technology is the fear that parents have of letting their children participate in a new curriculum. The parents are afraid that a new curriculum might fail; therefore, they prefer to have their children undergo the familiar and proven curriculum (Wakefield, 2016). The role of teachers is likely to change with the implementation of technology in education. The students will take over the part of active learners with the instructors acting as mere facilitators. The formality of the prevailing education system is likely to diminish. Education will focus more on games which teach the students essential skills and teamwork. These traits are necessary for new careers.
The reasons stated above prove why Prensky believes a change in education curriculum is needed. I expect that learning will change in the future as the human mind is understood more using technology. Subconscious learning might become mainstream with sleep learning being the primary way of instilling knowledge and skills. In this manner, the amount of time and resources spent on education will reduce drastically.
References
Kessler, K. (2015). Six ways technology is improving education. The National Newspaper.
Wakefield, J. (2016). Technology In schools: Future changes in classrooms. The Australian.