Top 7 Ways Technology Has Affected Teaching During Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted almost every area of the world economy, and education is no exception. Perhaps, it is one of the most affected sectors, with not just short but long-term consequences as well.However, technology seems to be the one element connecting teachers and students amid the crisis. While teachers are turning to live video streaming for online lessons, students are relying on EssayPro to complete their papers. By all means, technology is expected to continue playing a major role in the educational landscape.Let us take a look at how it has revamped the academic setting already.
- Streamable Lessons
- Distance Learning Solutions
- Personalized Learning
- Access to Resources
- Improved Communication
- Renewed Focus on Inequities
- Creative Teaching Methods
The Coronavirus crisis has led to 70% of the world's students being left out of schools. For the majority of educational institutions, the first decision was to adopt a live lesson streaming procedure.This allowed students to learn on a regular schedule and not lose any time of the semesters.Pre-recorded lessons also serve to allow students from different time zones to learn at their convenience. With video calling services such as Zoom, online lessons have become the most common measure adopted by educational institutions.
The sudden shift in education also witnessed a pique in the use of online MOOCs all over the world. An increasing number of people have ventured to the internet to upskill and to offer training programs.Even before COVID-19, the ed-tech industry was predicted to reach a market value of US$ 350 billion by 2025. Be it virtual learning, certification programs, or language learning apps; such software has taken a leap in their user numbers. Moreover, many platforms also offer free programs to encourage students to sign up.
The technology can also support personalized attention to students. Even in the midst of the new routine, kids can benefit from smart devices. Customized approaches offered by the learning solutions are nearly endless.Platforms such as Summit Learning help teachers offer tailored academic and emotional support to the students' needs. Such solutions work on a schoolwide scale. These programs offer individual models that instructors can use to mentor and provide independent learning to each.
Though there are plenty of resources on the internet, the pandemic has shone a light on some brilliant and free options that were unpopular before. Apart from free and discounted ed-tech tools, the resources also include open digital libraries. These offer free students and teachers all over the world access to a new array of learning materials.Students who are after self-teaching or learning a new skill are taking advantage of such platforms to continue studying during lockdowns.
Teachers have taken it upon themselves to establish a connection with their students. Many communicate on a daily basis, not only with students but also with their parents. Such actions by teachers allow them to set clear goals, backed by access to technology. The use of smart devices and means of communication has undeniably helped this.With personalized strategies, teachers can plan tasks to allow students to work at their own pace. They are able to offer choices of activities and encourage students to take initiatives based on their areas of interest.
This extensive reliance on remote learning has enlarged the existing socioeconomic disparities. Nineteen million Americans still lack access to the internet. And even more, people don’t have access to the necessary smart devices. Additionally, not all parents or guardians are in a position to offer technical assistance to prepare their children for online lessons adequately.School districts are actively working to create new strategies to bridge this gap. However, this calls for a drastic change in the system. The need to develop robust learning programs for every child is more significant than ever.
While many teachers have adopted the lecture approach, others have been getting creative in imparting their lessons. Along with a focus on activities, many have also considered offering education that matters in real-life scenarios.In some cases, students are even receiving a higher quality education.On the other hand, for hands-on fields, this creativity is often combined with ed-tech. Technology has offered solutions in the form of simulators for learning purposes.
Educating the EducatorsThough the advantages may seem numerous, teachers are still struggling in this sudden shift. The change from in-school to online was quick and unexpected. More than students, the teaching community had to train themselves to adapt to the new methods.Education technology investors do not plan to slow down. However, to deal with it better, the schools, as well as the individual staff, also have to be updated with the latest developments. Teachers need to be prepared to ensure that online learning can continue through another crisis.The future of education does not rely solely on new and innovative tech tools, but on creating safe and accessible learning, equal for all.