Using technology in education: Does it improve anything?

Earlier, technology in education was a debatable topic amongst the society. Everyone had their own views on modernizing education and making it technology aided. There were a huge number of positives and negatives to education technology. But, gradually as technology was embraced by the educational institutes, they realized the importance of technology in education. Its positives outnumbered the negatives and now, with technology, education has taken a whole new meaning that it leaves us with no doubt that our educational system has been transformed owing to the ever-advancing technology. Technology and education are a great combination if used together with a right reason and vision.

To elucidate on the topic of this article, I am more than definite that technology improves education to a great extent and it has now become a need for revolutionizing education for the better. With technology, educators, students and parents have a variety of learning tools at their fingertips. Here are some of the ways in which technology improves education over time:

• Teachers can collaborate to share their ideas and resources online: They can communicate with others across the world in an instant, meet the shortcomings of their work, refine it and provide their students with the best. This approach definitely enhances the practice of teaching.
• Students can develop valuable research skills at a young age: Technology gives students immediate access to an abundance of quality information which leads to learning at much quicker rates than before.
• Students and teachers have access to an expanse of material: There are plenty of resourceful, credible websites available on the Internet that both teachers and students can utilize. The Internet also provides a variety of knowledge and doesn’t limit students to one person’s opinion.
• Online learning is now an equally credible option: Face-to-face interaction is huge, especially in the younger years, but some students work better when they can go at their own pace. Online education is now accredited and has changed the way we view education.

There are innumerous instances till date where we can see the improvement in education, once it embraced technology. I will state a few remarkable ones of them to provide you with a more realistic picture of the whole scenario. Here’s the list along with the references to the originals:

• The Flipped Classroom: This popular technological approach has gotten to everybody’s ears by now. It is a practice in which, students watch lecture videos as homework and discussion is carried on them in the class-time by the teachers. It has resulted in a remarkably better student performance, with noticeable grade boost-up. Students can now learn at their own pace and save class-time for interaction.
• Effectiveness of EdTech on Mathematics for K-12: Technology has proved to be effective for making students efficiently adept with Math. Out of several, there are three remarkable technologies, which in my opinion should be brought to the light. Computer-managed learning is a program that uses computers to assess student learning on Math and assign them with appropriate Math material, which they can work on to score and receive a chart of their progress for self-assessment; Comprehensive models such as Cognitive Tutor and I Can Learn use computer-aided instruction as well as non-computer activities for students to approach Math; Supplemental CAI technology consists of individualized computer-assisted instruction (CAI), to provide additional instruction at students’ assessed levels. Findings indicate that educational technology applications produce a positive effect on Mathematics achievement.
• Long-term research indicative of the positives of technology on learning: Researches have been performed to address to the question, does the use of computer technology affect student achievement in traditional classrooms as compared to classrooms that do not use technology? An extensive literature search and a systematic review process were employed and insights about the state of the field, implications for technology use, and prospects for future were discussed. 
• Educational Technology improves student learning outcomes: Evidence suggests that educational technologies can improve student achievement, so long as such tools are integrated thoughtfully into teaching and learning. When digital capabilities like, online environments are incorporated meaningfully into instruction, students have new opportunities to learn and achieve. 
• The effect of technology on education depends on the design of instruction: The design of the instruction accounts for more variance in how and why people learn than the technology used to deliver the instruction. Educators and educational researchers should be encouraged to focus on determining how to better integrate the use of a given technology to facilitate learning, rather than asking if it works or if one is more effective than another. 

Over the past years, a number of studies have shown benefits from the use of technology in education. The role of technology in education is vital, and the question is no longer if technology enhances learning, but rather how do we improve our use of technology to enhance learning?

I encourage you to think about more ways of how technology has improved education and how it can positively impact it in the near future. Feel free to share these views, additional knowledge or clarify doubts you may have on the relation of education and technology.

                      

The upside of traditional mail

Traditional mail — or “snail mail,” as it’s been branded in the Internet age — is frequently regarded as wasteful, expensive, and slow. Yet, in reality, traditional mail adds great value and validity to a business. It’s a memorable, personal touch that can only be achieved when you have a physical object to hold in your hands. When you send a personal note, letter, announcement, or advertisement via mail services, you’re supplying each recipient with a physical copy to read and keep; it’s much easier to remember something that’s stuck to your refrigerator or above your desk than something buried deep in your inbox.

Traditional mail has evolved a lot over the years. Anything you might need to mail can be picked up from your office, stamps can be purchased online, and packages or letters can be tracked with ease. You can now also outsource your mailing needs; companies such as L-mail.com or docsaway.com send physical letters from documents or emails you’ve uploaded. They’ve even revolutionized international mail by having your documents and letters printed and mailed locally, so you pay domestic rates rather than international ones.

3 situations where you should choose snail mail over email

                        

There are many ways traditional mail outweighs electronic communication. Here are just three situations in which traditional mail has the upper hand:

1. Sending a personal message

Whether you’re sending your thanks, your condolences, or your congratulations, a physical card or letter shows a greater level of thought and investment in the message than its electronic counterparts. It’s more deliberate and meaningful, demonstrating to the recipient that you took the time to sit down with a pen and jot a note, rather than type a message on your phone. A physical letter really makes an impact.

2. Confirming addresses

Sending a letter or package with an activation code attached will allow a company to confirm that the recipient lives where he says he lives. Companies offering digital services can help avoid chargeback and can comply with the “Know Your Customer” legislation by sending traditional mail with activation codes. You’re also protecting your customers against identity theft by seeking confirmation on their purchases, an action they’ll greatly appreciate.

3. Meeting legal requirements

There are some documents that still have to be sent by mail in order to meet legal requirements. This process ensures that the recipient received a copy of the document and has it in his possession. A tangible copy of a document is also more likely to be kept than an electronic version — reducing the number of headaches your team may endure.

Advancements in technology have made communication easier and faster, but traditional mail can still reach more people around the globe than email can. Businesses should remember the many circumstances in which the benefits of “snail mail” far outweigh the mailing costs, proving to customers that you’ll take the extra step to personally reach out. Taking advantage of the ways traditional mail has changed and evolved to be faster, cheaper, and easier for business use can really set your company apart from the rest — and make a lasting impression on your clients.

                 

Technology and Early Child Development

Technology cannot be effectively used unless it is used widely and equitably among all groups in our society. For the majority of the world and in particular for children living in poverty, we are far from addressing the merits of using (or how to apply) technology in education and learning, let alone closing the digital divide among the “haves” and “have-nots.” This article summarizes the use of technology in early childhood, with special focus on the U.S. context. Technology is a tool that can provide an added option for young children to learn. Learning is a process where children (the learners) actively build an understanding of the world based on their experiences and interactions. Computers need to be viewed not as new ways to transmit information, but new ways for children to create, experiment, and explore. When used appropriately, technology can support and extend learning in valuable ways to increase educational opportunities for children. It is critical, however, to find a balance, knowing how to align the elements of healthy childhood with the unique capabilities offered by technology. Early years are critical in a child’s physical, socio emotional, language, and cognitive development. What, how, and how much children learn in school depends largely on the cognitive, social and emotional competence they develop during their early years. New interactive technologies make it easier to create environments in which students can learn by doing, and technologies can help visualize difficult to understand concepts. (Van Scoter.J 2001)

Technology and child development

A substantial body of research on technology use with young children focusing on social, language and cognitive skills is available. In brief, the following are some findings!

Social and emotional development – technology cannot replace human interaction or relationships or take the place of reading together and sharing conversations. Properly used, computer and software can serve as a catalyst for social interaction and conversations related to children’s work!

Language development – Everyday playful experiences in print-rich environments expose children to reading and writing. Language and literacy development are major strengths of technology use with young children.

Studies show that computers encourage longer, more complex speech and the development of fluency. Young children interacting at computers engage in high levels of spoken communication and cooperation such as turn taking and collaboration. Computers elicited more social interaction than the traditional activities such as puzzle assembly or block building!

Physical and motor development– A word processor allows composition and revision without being distracted by the fine motor aspects of letter formation. Computers should not replace active outdoor play. The

American Academy of Pediatrics recommends screen time (TV, computer and video) at a maximum of one to two hours per day for young children (Van Scoter.J 2001)

The Impact of Home Computer Use on Children’s Activities and Development

Displacement of Other Activities

 When children use home computers instead of watching television, it is generally viewed as positive; but when children use computers instead of participating in sports and social activities, it raises concerns about the possible effects on their physical and psychological well-being. Results from a national survey suggest that in 1999, children between ages 2 and 17 were spending approximately 1 hour 37 minutes per day using the computer and/or playing video games (Stanger 1999) about 24 minutes more than in 1998. Yet little research exists on how children’s growing use of computers may be displacing activities other than television viewing, and the few findings that exist are ambiguous. Some evidence indicates that children who use home computers may watch less television than nonusers, but other evidence suggests that television viewing remains the same or might even increase with the use of home computers (Stanger.J.D 1998)

For instance, parents reported in a 1998 national survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center that children in households without computers watched television an average of 36 minutes longer each day than children in homes with computers (2 hours 54 minutes versus 2 hours 18 minutes, on average) (Stanger.J.D 1998)

Effects on Physical Well-Being

Systematic research on the physical effects of children’s computer use is lacking thus far, but insights can be gained from several sources. Results from the numerous studies on the physical effects of watching television are informative, given the similarities between these media. In addition, research focusing on the physical risks of playing computer games is important, given that games remain the most frequent home computer activity for children across most age groups, despite the proliferation of other software and applications (Metrix 1999).

Risk of Obesity

Sedentary pursuits, such as watching television and using the computer, are believed to be an important environmental factor contributing to the fact that 25% of children in the United States are overweight or obese (Hill 1998). Although there is no research that systematically documents a relationship between obesity and computer use, evidence does exist that obesity in children is linked to excessive television watching, that is, five or more hours per day (Gortmaker 1985) .As children spend increasing amounts of time in front of computer monitors—in addition to time spent in front of a television screen—they are likely to be increasing their risk of obesity

(Hill 1998) .Consequently, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises parents to limit time spent with media and to emphasize alternative activities, such as athletics and physical conditioning, as well as imaginative play (Provenzo 1992).