What New Forms of Technology Are In the Classrooms of Higher Education Institutions?
With the continued modernization of the world, in all aspects, comes that of higher education which is now coinciding with technology that is proving to bring about a more efficient study system. Technology as an instrument for better education is proving to be effective as it lays out option that compromises with the student's capabilities. Now having emerged as an inevitable, innovations for higher education, continues to move forward from the basic staple of pens and notebooks to the most celebrated ipads, laptops and smartphones that seem to have replaced the former with no trace.
Undeniably, technology has penetrated all branches of college system, however, higher education makes use of these tools in a more responsible, mature and useful way. Higher education, in general sense, is the highest level of education that is achieved only after high school or secondary level of education is completed. This brings about the diploma that enables students to rise from blue collared worker to white collared. Debatably, technology brought around new forms of technologies in education that can provide wisdom and higher education as good as that of the school or even better.
Gone are the days when having a computer in the classroom seemed like a distinction, for computers are now a staple in every school. Computers have now emerged from CPUs (Central Processing Unit) to the more mobile laptops, ipads and smartphones. Laptops, ipads and smart phones share the same characteristic of being light and movable that can be brought anywhere. These tools also bring communication to fellow students as they can freely transfer one file to another by the use of a built-in Bluetooth or a Bluetooth dongle. However, maximization of these technologies can only be achieved with a constant connection to the internet. Having these two (2) technologies altogether can result to a more convenient way of teaching and impeccable college system. Computers and the internet is, arguably, the most powerful technology that not only enhances education but also encourages communication among others.
From the two (2) most powerful tools in education, sprouts different forms of innovative teaching and higher education. Through a laptop or a CPU, the teacher can connect the projector which enlarges the presentation in the laptop to a bigger white screen which enables student to have more visual in the topic. Other forms include smart boards which serves like a board where the student see the scribbles made by the teacher technologically, the ipad with its own operating system and which can also serve as a external memory, and softwares which tests there understanding of a particular lesson and helps teacher analyze the direction her/his class is going. Clickers, digital camera, and video camera are also widely used innovations.
As homes and workplaces become increasingly wired and informatively digitized, the power of technology makes connectivity and education possible anytime and anywhere. Now, people are able to get a degree online while still doing their normal routine as these programs adjusts to the capabilities of a person in terms of time and handling information. Technology continues to advance as well as the people that are now accustomed to emerging technologies that make them easily to adapt. Technology and education's role are reciprocal. To fully maximize the emerging technologies, it is a must that one has to fully understand the real potential of the technology to be used in an informative way. The basics are still good, however technology makes it a lot easier to absorb and make the learning experience more enjoyable and memorable. After all, the good and the bad of technologies that are emerging, lies to no one else but the person who utilizes it.
Instructional Technology Centers
Developing a School Technology Plan
Forms of Teaching with Technology
- University of Delaware- Practical Resources for Educators Seeking Effective New Technologies (PRESENT).
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- University of Virginia