Topic 6 Strengths and limitation of the technology in different learning settings
Technology is perhaps the strongest factor shaping the educational landscape today. Many educational environments are showing support for increased levels of technology in the classroom by providing hardware such as tablets and computers, enhancing internet connectivity, and implementing programs designed to improve computer literacy for both teachers and learners.
Although teachers generally appreciate the benefits of educational technologies, they often find smooth and effective integration of new educational technologies challenging. From acquisition of new technology equipment to adaptation of curricula and teaching techniques to incorporate new educational tools, technology integration presents significant challenges to educators.
Technology finds a myriad of environments for its application. One of them is education. Educational environments offer room for innovation and creativity by using interactive technology in and outside the classroom. This is true for primary education, but even more so in higher education settings. Learners and instructors are highly exposed to educational technology in using their computers to manage
scholarship and measure academic performance. But how is this high level of reliance and exposure to educational technology perceived by students and their instructors? What are the associated benefits and limitations?
A first approach analysing the challenges that affect classroom technologies could be classified in External and Internal challenges
Johnson, A. M., Jacovina, M. E., Russell, D. E., & Soto, C. M. (2016).
External Challenges to Classroom Technology
First-order barriers to the successful integration of technology into the classroom are factors external to educators implementing technology. External barriers must be addressed at the institutional level and changes are typically incremental (e.g., rolling out access to technology one level at a time). Although there is growing evidence that first-order barriers are being tackled
- Access constraint. If an educator’s institution does not possess adequate computers and fast internet connection, the implementation of educational technology is not feasible. Next, we introduce the
- Inadequate training related to technology. If educators are not provided effective professional development on new technologies, they will not be capable of using it to its full potential.
- Support constraint. Support barriers to technology integration include inadequate technical support and administrative/peer support.
Internal Challenges to Classroom Technology
Even with first-order barriers removed, digital technology would not immediately and seamlessly appear within all classrooms using appropriate pedagogy. Individual educators are ultimately responsible for using technology, and thus even when given resources, they have choices about how to use technology
- Educators’ attitudes and beliefs. They are crucial factors in determining the role and effectiveness of technology in classrooms. Attitudes and beliefs about both educational technology and pedagogy in general will ultimately influence how teachers implement technology
- Confidence in skills and knowledge. Given the abundance of available educational technology, it is essential that educators feel comfortable and confident about their ability to use them effectively.
- Technology and learning. Teachers may use technology throughout the curriculum or to complement a specific lesson. Variations in technology usage reflect important differences in teachers’ beliefs about the utility of technology in the educational process.
- Teacher Resistance to Technology in the Classroom. The most common reason mentioned by teachers for not actively integrating new technologies is that many teachers are satisfied with their current lesson plans. A teacher’s desire for their students to learn effectively drives classroom instruction, and if current lesson plans meet the needs of students, there is very little motivation for the teacher to alter them.
- Teacher Skills and Knowledge. Effective educators must not only be domain experts, but also understand how to flexibly use the affordances of different pedagogies for particular content topics. With the advent of numerous novel technologies over the past decades, educators have an abundance of technologies to leverage to make their teaching more effective. Although the potential benefits are clear, the sheer number of possible combinations of technologies and pedagogies for different tasks and students is overwhelming.
current lesson plans meet the needs of students, there is very little motivation for the teacher to alter them.
Teacher Skills and Knowledge. Effective educators must not only be domain experts, but also understand how to flexibly use the affordances of different pedagogies for particular content topics. With the advent of numerous novel technologies over the past decades, educators have an abundance of technologies to leverage to make their teaching more effective. Although the potential benefits are clear, the sheer number of possible combinations of technologies and pedagogies for different tasks and students is overwhelming
To deepen the topic read the following publication
Challenges and solutions when using technologies in the classroom
As an educator think about the challenges mentioned and reflect if you have experienced some of them in your personal experience.
Digital education is generating new learning opportunities as learners engage in online, digital environments and as faculty change educational practices through the use of hybrid courses, personalized instruction, new collaboration models and a wide array of innovative, engaging learning strategies.
Furthermore, a 21st century view of learner success requires learners to not only be thoughtful consumers of digital content, but effective and collaborative creators of digital media, demonstrating competencies and communicating ideas through dynamic storytelling, data visualization and content curation.
There are many evidences that show how technology has a positive effect on student learning expectations and outcomes. Evidence also shows that technology integration is becoming more
common in public and private educational environments. Technology integration is shown to be effective in all age groups and is also shown to be helpful for learners with special learning needs. The advantages and strengths of Online Learning and of using technology in the classroom could be summarized as follow.
Strengths of Online Learning
There are many reasons why online programs have become a popular form of distance learning in higher education today. The online environment offers unprecedented opportunities for people who would otherwise have limited access to education, as well as a new paradigm for educators in which dynamic courses of the highest quality can be developed.
- Anywhere. The main advantage of asynchronous online learning is that it allows learners to participate in high quality learning situations when distance and schedule make on-ground learning difficult or impossible. Learners can participate in classes from anywhere in the world, provided they have a computer and Internet connection. In addition, the online format allows physically challenged learners (and teachers) more freedom to participate in class. Participants access the Virtual Classroom through their computers instead of having to “go to class” physically.
- Anytime, Any Pace. The Virtual Classroom is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Time efficiency is another strength brought by the online learning format. Asynchronous communication through online conferencing programs allows the professional juggling work, family, and study schedules to participate in class discussions. There is no question about doing the work; just do it at the times that are more convenient. Learners can access their courses at any time of day or night. Further, they have continuous access to lectures, course materials, and class discussions. This is particularly convenient for those who may need to reread a lecture or take more time to reflect on some material before moving on.
- Synergy. The online format allows a dynamic interaction between the instructor and students and among the students themselves. Resources and ideas are shared, and continuous synergy will be generated through the learning process. Each individual can contribute to the course discussions and comments on the work of others. The synergy that exists in the student-centered Virtual Classroom is one of the most unique and vital traits that the online learning format possesses.
- High Quality Dialog. Within an online asynchronous discussion structure, the learner may reflect on comments from others before responding or moving on to the next item. This structure allows students time to articulate responses with much more depth and forethought than in a traditional face-to-face discussion situation where the participant must analyze the comment of another on the spot and formulate a response or otherwise lose the chance to contribute to the discussion.
- Learner Centered. Within an online discussion, the individual learner responds to the course material (lectures and course books, for example) and to comments from other learners. Learners usually respond to those topics within the broader conversation that most clearly speak to their individual concerns. These situations result in smaller conversations taking place simultaneously within the group. While learners should read all of their colleagues’ contributions, they actively engage in only those parts of the dialog most relevant to their own interests. In this way, learners control their own learning experience and tailor the class discussions to meet their own specific needs. Ideally, learners make their own individual contributions to the course while at the same time taking away a unique mix of relevant information.
- Level Playing Field. In the online environment, learners have a certain measure of anonymity. Discriminating factors such as age, dress, physical appearance, disabilities, race, and gender are largely absent. Instead, the focus of attention is clearly on the content of the discussion and the individual’s ability to respond and contribute thoughtfully and intelligently to the material at hand.
- Access to Resources. It is easy to include distinguished guest experts or learners from other institutions in an online class. Furthermore, today’s learners have access to resources and materials that may be physically located anywhere in the world. An instructor can compile a resource section online with links to scholarly articles, institutions, and other materials relevant to the course topic for students to access for research, extension, or in depth analysis of course content material.
- Creative Teaching. The literature of adult education supports the use of interactive learning environments as contributing to self-direction and critical thinking. Some educators have made great strides in applying these concepts to their on ground teaching. However, many classes still exist which are based on lectures and rote memorization of material. The nature of the semi-autonomous and self-directed world of the Virtual Classroom makes innovative and creative approaches to instruction even more important. In the online environment, the facilitator and learners collaborate to create a dynamic learning experience. The realization of a shift in technology creates the hope that those who move into the new technology will also leave behind bad habits as they adopt this new paradigm of teaching.
Source: University of Illinois
According to your experience, what are the strenght of technlogy used as a teaching tool? Write them down and then discuss reasoning with your colleagues
To deepen the topic, read this article:
Characteristics of Adult Learners With Implications for Online Learning Design
The Positive Effects of Technology on Teaching and Student Learning
This topic gave an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of technology used as a tool for teaching in a learning environment.