How Do EdTech and Virtual Learning Make Things Easier For Students & Teachers?
“If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow.”
David Dewey
The teaching-learning process constantly evolves, whether in school or in college. The gradual shift to technology-based education is the result of this evolution. The pandemic has only intensified the implementation and needs for using technology in education. With nationwide school closures, almost 1.2 billion children are out of the classrooms. Students and teachers are encouraged to conduct classes, grade assignments and even provide feedback online, thereby emphasising more on digital platforms and technologies.
Education technology isn’t a new thing. In 2019, the global edtech investments reached US$ 18.66 billion. The overall digital education market is expected to reach $350 billion by 2025. Speaking of educational technologies, how could we not talk about the role of EdTech and virtual learning? So, here’s how major technologies like EdTech and virtual learning help schools during and even after the pandemic.
Role of EdTech In Schools
EdTech or Education Technology is a method of digital learning where you study using electronic devices, web or mobile applications, mobile learning platforms, etc. we can already notice the digital revolution in the business or consumer world. Similarly, EdTech can create an entirely new learning environment for all. Let’s see how.
1.Increases collaboration
Digital tools have the power to transform communities and improve the give-and-take process between students and teachers. Students and teachers are confined in their homes due to the pandemic. Had it not been for education technologies, communicating with teachers from miles apart would have been impossible. Let’s say you find it hard to write an essay. So, you can share your concerns in an online student-teacher community and get your problem solved. Common student collaboration tools include TitanPad, Cacoo and Vyew.
2.Supports assessment
Summative assessments help teachers determine how well a student has learnt the required learning material. Formative assessments monitor each student’s academic performance and inform the future learning and teaching methods teachers need to apply. These tests tend to be formal, time-consuming and nerve-wracking. Instead of the traditional format, teachers can use flashcards to make the tests more interactive and interesting. Other tools your teachers can use for assessment include Socrative, Google Forms, Kahoot, etc.
3.Gives students a sense of ownership in education
EdTech provides two major benefits- portability and access. With technology, it is easier for students to learn to read on their own, get more organised and work at their own pace. You can finish your assignments or complete a lesson any time and from any part of the world. It also ensures that you can find help online whenever required. For instance, let’s say you need help while working on an academic paper. In that case, you can seek help from the online assignment writing helpservices in the UK.
EdTech makes learning easier for students and teaching easier for teachers. It isn’t possible to attend to all the students in a class in the traditional school. However, tech-based learning not only lets teachers track each student’s performance but also provides automatic feedback to the students right on time.
EdTech involves the use of technological systems, processes and resources to manage the learning process. Virtual learning, on the other hand, is learning via the Internet and any electronic means. So, let’s see how the latter helps schools.
Role of Virtual Learning in Schools
Virtual learning is the buzzword these days, especially due to the pandemic. After all, you can’t let your education go down the drain because someone ate a bat in Wuhan and broke the hell loose. Virtual learning is the only realistic and effective way to complete or continue your education while the world is going berserk. Here’s how virtual learning plays an integral role in schools.
1.Flexible academic life
How often have you stayed up all night trying to meet your urgent deadlines back at school? Have you ever felt homesick in a hostel and hence unable to focus on schoolwork? Virtual learning makes your academic life more flexible than it has been in a brick and mortar school environment. You can start learning or enrol in your courses right within the comforts of your room. The deadlines are flexible. You get to learn at your own pace. Most importantly, you can get access to your courses anytime, anywhere.
2.More inclusivity
Schools have often complained that not all students participate enough in the classes. Teachers have a hard time figuring out how to encourage every student to ask questions and show interest in classes. Not all students are the same in a class. Some might be slow learners, while others might be too shy to voice their concerns. In a virtual classroom, you may not have the same anxiety you had in a real classroom. It is easier to interact with our teacher when you don’t have to do it face-to-face.
3.One-on-one attention
It is almost impossible to provide one-to-one attention to all the students in a brick and mortar classroom. Certain topics might be too complicated to explain in a class of 30 minutes. But a self-paced virtual class, these problems are easier to tackle. Teachers can provide individual attention to each student in an online learning environment. They can even focus on communication skills to make sure every student gets the learning opportunity that she/he deserves.
In traditional schools, teachers often took back assignments home to grade them. There wasn’t any time for them to provide real-time feedback to students. In a virtual classroom, however, teachers can assess the papers in real-time and provide valuable feedback instantly.
Wrapping Up
The world isn’t the same as it used to be since the pandemic crept in and disrupted our lives. Considering the rate of COVID-19 cases all over the world, it is needless to say that the pandemic isn’t going anywhere too soon. It will take time. But, there’s no point compromising your education because of this pandemic. The technologies discussed here can make education easier and better for both students and teachers.
Author Bio:
RobertSmithis a digital educator, and academic counsellor working on behalf of a reputable firm in United Kingdom. He also provides assignment writing servicesto students at MyAssignmenthelp.com. Robertloves to spend time with his family and friends whenever he is free.
