The journey from chalk to digital stylus

Everything changes with time, and Education is no exception. It is continuously evolving, and technology has played a crucial role in it. Conventional classrooms used to have a blackboard-chalk method of teaching, whereas presently, digital classrooms with smart boards are in trend.

Changing trends in classroom education

Classrooms were scarce in medieval times, and educational possibilities were limited to a select few. To receive an education, people had to travel to learning centers. But nowadays, the Internet provides access to vast volumes of material (books, pictures, and videos), and classrooms are open for all irrespective of societal status. In today’s blog, we will discuss emerging technologies and the changes made by them.

Initially, it was not that easy to adapt to technology, but the pandemic enabled all of us to learn it within a few days, says Mr Mohit Saxena, Director of Insight Institute, in a webinar hosted on Facebook live with Speed Labs. He further adds that Speed labs have helped him to understand the technology and the art of tech-enabled teaching. `  

Mr Ankit Chouhan, Director of Wify Academy, was also the speaker in this webinar. He stated about the massive change from offline to the online classroom and appreciated the efforts of Speed labs for using EdTech so efficiently and making teachers techno-adoptive. Also, he emphasized on hybrid learning models along with the need to be tech-savvy.

Some other important parts of this webinar are: 

• Teaching got managed effectively because of the cumulative efforts of Speed labs and all partner groups. Moreover, an additional advantage was related to the exchange of inputs in a proper manner.
• Uniformity in practice even if some students are taking class online mode and some are opting offline mode.
• Studies were student-friendly because exclusive features provided by speed labs were better than any other available source, as said by Mr Chouhan.
• The instant problem-solving facility by Speed labs is appreciable, especially when there is a need for urgent work along with 24/7 doubt clearing options.
•  Mr Saxena talked about the promptness and devotion of speed labs that are everlasting.
• Last but not least, management was highlighted.

Technology plays an integral part, and numerous technologies are available in present-day classrooms. Some of them are so handy and student-friendly that students can access them anywhere, anytime. Below mentioned are some of the modern technologies: 

• Digital boards/Smartboards: These boards are quite useful as they provide an integrated approach towards studies. Such boards come with audio-visual support. Students can learn quickly with the help of video lectures, animated presentations, etc. Moreover, this board also saves time and can be modified according to the needs of the user.

• Organized structure: With technology in action, chances for any kind of haphazard are negligible. With sources like Artificial intelligence, managing things is no longer a hectic task. Speed labs use Artificial Intelligence so that students can get quality education and all the resources can remain intact with them. Apart from this, users can access all the assignments remotely and that too at the time preferred by them.

• e-Games enabled education: Here we are talking about e-games that can increase engagement among students and can help them understand various concepts without any kind of difficulties, Especially in pandemic times where the feeling of boredom is prevalent everywhere. Benefits of education-oriented gaming include: 

1. It improves Hand-Eye Coordination
2. It Enhances Problem-Solving and Strategic Thinking
3. It Increases Memory Capacity
4. It Benefits Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
5. It assists children in becoming more computer literate

• Recorded lectures: Sometimes, while preparing for exams, students find it difficult to recall what they have been taught in a regular class. This problem can be prevented with the help of recorded lectures i.e. use of a camera to record live teaching so that students can access it whenever they want. Not only lecture videos, but it also becomes easy to share notes as well and that too in an environmentally friendly way without using any hard paper. Such e-notes can be modified according to the needs of every student so that every student can actively participate in the learning process.

• Regular reports: Platforms like Speed labs have personalized mentorship facilities and this can be of great help for students as well as their parents as well. With such mentors online, students can recognize their mistakes and their weak areas while parents can know about the progress report of their children. All this becomes very easy with the use of technology in education.

Key Takeaways

Technology imbues classrooms with virtual learning tools, such as computers and custom devices, to support both teaching and learning; broadens course offerings, experiences, and learning materials; strengthens 21st-century skills; increases student engagement and motivation; and accelerates learning. Technology has the potential to revolutionise education by bringing in a new paradigm of linked learning.

Also published on Medium.