Today we are well into the digital age, and the use of technology and it’s increasing advancements are shaping the way that we do almost everything from communicating to shopping, working, learning and even eating. Whether we’re ordering new clothes online, working remotely using cloud-based software, communicating face-to-face with family in another country using FaceTime or downloading recipes from the internet to make for dinner, there’s no denying that technology has made our lives easier and often richer in so many different ways.
And, when it comes to learning, this is an area in which technology has arguably had one of the biggest impacts. Students today have a massive amount of technology available to them which will not only help them to work smarter and learn faster but has also changed the way in which we see education as a whole. Today’s students aren’t sat at a desk with a notebook and pen in hand; they’re working in coffee shops or even on beaches on their laptops. Technology has certainly made learning an easier, more enjoyable experience that’s more widely available to anybody with the desire to improve themselves. Here are some of the biggest impacts that technology has had on the education industry today.
#1. Online Learning:
Just a couple of decades ago, the idea of completing and graduating from a degree program without ever attending a single lecture would have been deemed ludicrous. But thanks to technology, more and more students are doing just that. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is increasingly recognizing the value of online learning and has approved a growing number of accredited online courses for student-athletes. For example, this accredited online high school SVHS offers NCAA approved online courses, so student-athletes can continue their education while competing in college. With this format, students can learn at their own pace and benefit from the support of highly qualified educators.
Online degree programs have made distance learning easier than ever; you can access all aspects of your program online and there are bachelor’s, master’s, and even doctorate programs available in a massive range of subject areas from reputable schools such as Suffolk University Online, who will also provide students with access to daily tutor support online via e-mail, web chat, and their learning portal. Thanks to online learning, it’s now easier than ever for students to earn their degree without having to struggle to fit it in around their other commitments, which has made it easier for parents and those who can’t afford to leave a full-time career to meet their educational goals.
#2. Better Collaboration:
Students have been working together in groups for centuries, but technology has helped them take their collaborations to the next level. Thanks to cloud-based applications such as Google Sheets and Google Docs, it’s now absolutely possible for a group of online-based students from all over the country, or even all over the world to easily communicate and work together on the same project. The improved communication and collaboration with other students thanks to technology means that unlike when it was first introduced, online learning is no longer a lonely place – you can chat with other students from your program using messaging apps such as WhatsApp whilst you work, or work together with them on a project using a wide range of cloud-based websites and applications.
#3. Easier Reading:
Any student will tell you that studying for a degree, no matter which subject, will usually involve a lot of reading. Reading is essential to improve your knowledge of your chosen subject, whether you’re reading books, newsletters, research journals or something else. Today, thanks to the internet, it’s easier than ever to have all your reading materials together in one place. And, you can often find plenty of handy information online, whether you’re looking at online research libraries, or organizational websites and blogs. In addition, the rise of e-reading devices such as the Amazon Kindle has made it easier than ever for students to get all the books they need, without having to worry about the environmental impact that it’s having – or simply the need to make a lot of space on their bookshelf. An e-reader allows you to download digital copies of your textbooks and every other type of reading material that you need for your degree and store them all together on one device that you can keep handy.
#4. Learning Tools:
Another great thing that has come about from technology advancements in learning is that we now have a far greater choice of learning tools for students of all levels. If you have a smartphone, a quick look in the app store will present you with the huge number of applications available to help students with all sorts of educational tasks. Whether you need help with revision, finding your personal learning style, writing an essay or assignment, referencing your essays correctly, taking notes, or simply managing your study schedule, you’re sure to find an app that can help you meet your learning goals and become a better student overall.
#5. Networking and Career Hunting:
If you want to hit the ground running with your career as soon as you graduate from college, you’ll know that the best thing to do is start networking as early on as possible, making as many connections as you can with people who can have a very positive impact on your career, whether they’re offering advice, job opening suggestions, or even the possibility of working for them in the future. Finding the time to do all this in-person when you’re busy studying for a degree can be tricky, but thanks to the internet and technology, there’s no need to even leave the house most of the time. Whilst it can still be beneficial to attend industry-specific conferences and networking events, you can also do a lot building up your network online. LinkedIn is an especially great tool for this, as you’ll be able to connect with thousands of users from all around the world and learn more about who they are, what they do for a career, and what they can offer you. And, LinkedIn also serves as a job posting site; you can request more information on jobs that match your qualifications, skills, and experience when using the site.
Technology is undoubtedly having a massive impact on every aspect of human life. When it comes to education, technology has seriously improved a lot of how we learn.
Image by tribesh kayastha on Unsplash, Composition by Mikeshouts.
