How technology has changed the way we learn

Traditionally, learning takes place in the classroom where you have a teacher and there are books and a chalkboard, an OHP and in essence you are in a lecture type situation.

But, learning and the learning environment has changed in the main due to technology.  We now have Smartboards which allows the teacher prepare the lesson and upload the file, allowing them to  write, draw, insert tables, graphs and much more, and to be able to come back to a previous page to revisit a concept or calculation to aid learning.   Compare that to having to use even a chalkboard or whiteboard, having to write or draw and then due to lack of space having to wipe the board clean.  What if you have to revisit that drawing?

With increasing access to learning via technology, courses are delivered via e-learning where the learner has autonomy and can progress at their own pace, MOOCs (Massive open online courses) which are a result of Web 2.0 (Dumitrescu, 2015).  The increase of online learning courses, including online degrees offered by the Open University, Cornell University, New York University, Michigan University, as well as others listed on topuniversities.com show another path for learners to access education.

The use of mobile technology computers, tablets, ipads, smartphones, iphones, laptops, can all help to personalise the learning experience.  Technology has enabled learners to have the freedom to learn ‘anytime and anywhere’ in a global setting.  Learners can access the internet for learning materials, learn through discussion groups, forums, learners can ‘self-differentiate’ their learning material by searching for other material which is suitable for them instead of waiting to see the class teacher.

Technology has enable learners to experience interactive learning, including by trial and error in carrying out experiments and complex calculations which otherwise might take a considerable period of time, in terms of years or decades.

References:

Dumitrescu, V. 2015. 'One step ahead: From Web 1.0 to Web 2.0 technologies in higher education', Elearning & Software For Education, 2, pp. 143-150, Education Source, EBSCOhost, viewed 15 January 2016.

http://www.topuniversities.com/courses/business-management-studies/top-universities-offering-online-degrees-business (Accessed on: 15 January 2016)