Technology is at the heart of most environments across the world. And college is no exception. Today, children start learning using technology from kindergarten through college. They have no idea how their lives would be without cellphones, televisions, computers, and other tech devices. While technology has been on the rise in recent years, several colleges across the world have not yet integrated technology into learning. They still use analog tools such as notebooks, posters, whiteboards, and books. The main cause being a lack of adequate resources. Technology has the power to make education accessible and fair. In this post, we are going to share with you some of the ways that technologies and gadgets can improve university study and academic performance.
Boosts engagement
College students who use tech IT gadgets in class tend to be more engaged than those who use traditional learning methods. When learning institutions have one device for each student, learners benefits because technology can be integrated. Most tutors use programs and interactive software so that students can respond to lectures and questions digitally. Additionally, gamified education makes learning engaging and fun as they earn qualifications.
Provides insight into student performance
Back in the day, tutors used to spend hours evaluating the overall academic performance of every student. And this exercise was quite impractical especially in classes that had a lot of students. In most instances, students tend to repeat the same learning mistakes and this hurts their performance in the long run. However, with technology and the internet, tutors can check my assignment for plagiarism, analyze my performance and give feedback. And this is good for both the student and teacher. Thanks to online platforms that collect information on student performance in tests, classes, and assignments, teachers have enough information on the areas that learners struggle with and offer help. Additionally, tutors can modify lessons based on the performance insights of individuals or classes to help them learn.
Reduces learning costs
Thanks to the introduction of technology in colleges, learning resources have become accessible. And this has resulted in low tuition fees. The need for books and other school supplies has reduced dramatically. The introduction of digital books has made everything easier for students who don’t have enough money to study. Technology has equalized learning and reduced student pressure from parents due to the huge investments that they’ve made in education. E-books have also helped in conserving the environment by reducing deforestation.
Collaboration
With technology, students can easily work together and save their tasks. Back in the day, students used to write notes and create posters while learning together. However, thanks to the rapid technological advancements, students can create a wide collection of ideas and research. They can write and draw together, work on similar projects and create documents. The best part is, they don’t have to be in the same location to collaborate.
Inclusion
Technology allows learners to be included in the class in ways they never thought of. Learners who receive special education can use technology to help them spell, write, read and compute math. Word processors can point out spelling, grammatical and punctuation errors. Adaptive readers read aloud or highlight text to students so that they can conduct extensive research and use sites. Technology is dominating in learning institutions. Therefore, learners who receive special education will not seem out of place or stand out.
Differentiation
At the click of a button, college students can access a wide range of information sources and programs thanks to technology. Tutors can allow their learners to choose research topics that ignite their interests because the resources available online are vast. Additionally, tutors can assign use programs to help students expand their knowledge or encourage them to investigate topics. These learning tasks can be done in group work thus making it easier for tutors to attend to each student. Using technology in this manner will ensure that students get everything they need.
Conclusion
Everyone has their opinion on the introduction of technology in colleges. However, the advancement of technology has transformed learning and made it possible for students to access learning resources easily and quickly. Technology has also reduced tutors’ responsibilities and given them more time to focus on the individual performance of their students. Nowadays, students with a tight budget or schedule don’t have to attend classes thanks to the introduction of online courses. They can learn flexibly and graduate just like other students who attend college. Technology is here to improve our lives and help us achieve our academic and career goals.
Author’s Bio:
Michael Turner works as an online tutor with his main audience as students from schools and colleges. He teaches them to write, edit and proofread and communicate effectively to ensure career success. His free time is for glass painting, meditating, and jogging in the park.