Application of Technology to Enhance Learning

Introduction

Technology has continued to be part of our daily lives in such a way that it seems to prosperous even to have a thought while doing a simple thing such the routine tasks without the help of a mobile phone, computer or even a personal global positioning system (GPS). Technology in the learning institutions is a reality (Koper, R. 2011, 387). The depth in which technology has been applied to school curriculum has possibilities of increase substantively as the advancement in technology continues as well as the decrease in the cost of technology. While individuals of all ages continue to use technology for their routine tasks, children emerge to be among the most frequent users of technology. In addition, just as the way the technology has transformed our daily lives, education too has not been left behind. Developments in technology have provided an easier facilitation of and access to information (Segura, M. 2013, 77).

However, technology cannot change the information transmitted by students nor does it can enable students to grasp and retain information. The technology applied in the classroom for the purpose making the learning process better is known as technology-enhanced learning (TEL) (Cha, S. 2012, 405). Although there are higher expectations of the capacity of school teachers and administrators to better the student learning through the incorporation of technology in the class, TEL systems have produced positive results.

The Prevalence of Technology in the Classroom

Students have become used to applying technology to their daily operations such that they have now emerged to be skilled at media multitasking and utilizing most of their time on the internet. Despite the fact that most children in the United States live technology-oriented lives, this does not mean that technology has a place in the classroom. However, almost 100% of public institutions in the United States have internet connections Cha, S. 2012, 592). Various technologies have been applied to the education system to include mobile learning frameworks, complex gaming, electronic presentations tools, immersive technologies, interactive videos as well as electronic blackboards. Research shows that I 1994 only 3% of public schools instructional classes were connected to internet compared to ninety-three percent on 2005.

Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) and Academic Performance

According to Harold, a scholar in the connection between teacher classroom activities and student academic performance found that TEL programs can increase the overall academic performance of students despite the socio-economic condition, race or age. When technology is appropriately used, it can result in better results on the student’s academics, enhance the involvement of families in the learning process, maximize competency among teachers (Segura, M. 2013, 87). In addition, program participants found that technology can enhance collaboration and communication among students, enhanced instructional operations, increased organizational skills among students, enhanced student’s autonomous learning as well as increased student’s motivation. It is therefore essential for school managers and teachers to integrate technology in a way that it will promote institutional culture rather than working against it.

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Factors that Makes TEL Conducive to Enhanced Learning

While the application of technology in learning influences education activities through enabling students to absorb more information through the learning activities, various aspects must be incorporated to foster the effective use of TEL system into primary learning environments (Koper, R. 2011, 397). It can be an easy job for school administrators and teachers to depend on technology as opposed to utilizing it as a tool to assist them in the learning process. However, the most detrimental mistake that most education institutions make during the process of applying TEL systems into the education curriculum would be relying on technology to increase learning as opposed to supporting the learning activities.

Clear and measurable goals are the first factor that needs to be present to enable technology to be a beneficial impact on learning. Before the implementation of technology in the education curriculum, both students and teachers need to be aware of reasons for using technology in the education curriculum and how it will help in attaining the educational objectives and goals. In this way, they will make sure that technology is used to enhance results as opposed to having an accidental, improper and purposeful use (Koper, R. 2011, 401). Technology, therefore, should not be utilized just because it is available but instead because it can help students and teachers to achieve the learning objectives that could not be achieved without technology. Knowledge and competency are most the most likely factors on whether the technology will be effectively applied in the education curriculum. Teachers play a critical role in modeling activities in ways that challenge and develop student’s implicit conceptualizations while still in the attempts to incorporate new technological ideas (Cha, S. 2012, 602).

Technology in the learning institutions is a reality. The depth in which technology has been applied to school curriculum has possibilities of increase substantively as the advancement in technology continues as well as the decrease in the cost of technology. Various technologies have been applied to the education system to include mobile learning frameworks, complex gaming, electronic presentations tools, immersive technologies, interactive videos as well as electronic blackboards. When technology is appropriately used, it can result in better results on the student’s academics, enhance the involvement of families in the learning process, maximize competency among teachers. In addition, program participants found that technology can enhance collaboration and communication among students, enhanced instructional operations, increased organizational skills among students, enhanced student’s autonomous learning as well as increased student’s motivation. Before the implementation of technology in the education curriculum, both students and teachers need to be aware of reasons for using technology in the education curriculum and how it will help in attaining the educational objectives and goals. In this way, they will make sure that technology is used to enhance results as opposed to having an accidental, improper and purposeful use. Technology, therefore, should not be utilized just because it is available but instead because it can help students and teachers to achieve the learning objectives that could not be achieved without technology.