The Impact of Technology on the Education Industry

The very first time man picked up a stone or a branch to use as tool he altered the balance between him and his environment. This was the advent of technology. Technologys ever

changing presence in the world today has revolutionized and redefined living. Technology is the making use of knowledge, tools, crafts, and technical means and their interrelation with life, society and the environment to solve a problem or serve a specific purpose. Undoubtly technology plays an important role in every sphere of life. Several complex and critical processes can be carried out with ease and efficiency with the help of technology. Several major industries have undergone tremendous changes and a lot of improvements have been seen since many new advances in technology have been introduced into society. One such industry is the education industry. Computers and internet technologies has revolutionized the field of education providing it with a richer and more interactive environment. Technological devices such as computers, printers, PDAs, overhead projectors and several interactive softwares have made it easier for teachers to deliver lessons to students in a convenient and easy way. Technology has helped teachers to expand beyond linear text-based learning to engage students who learn best in other ways. Its role in schools has evolved from a contained computer class into a versatile learning tool that change how demonstrations and concepts are taught. Digital simulations and models let teachers explain concepts that are too big or small, or processes that happen too quickly or too slowly to demonstrate in a physical classroom. (Kessler, November 2010)

The Impact of Technology on the Education Industry

Computers provide interactive audio and visual media that can assist teachers in making lesson interesting and exciting. Teachers can now make use of Power Point presentations and animation software to impart knowledge to students in an interactive way. By making use of overhead projectors and screens, teachers can reach out to a large number of students at one time. Students find the use of the audio visual media quite interesting and thus leading to greater attendance and participation and helps in increasing their retention and concentration levels. The spread of the internet has also contributed immensely to revolutionizing education. The World Wide Web is a treasure of unlimited knowledge that is made available to students at the click of a button. There is no need to pore over huge volumes or encyclopedias as students can get all material they need for lessons or projects with great ease if they know how to surf to get the right information they are looking for. This also compels teachers to be much more informed and aware as they need to be able to teach students effectively. Another major area in the education industry hat have been positively impacted by technology is the availability of distance education through online learning. There are a lot of schools and colleges offering online courses to students wherein students can submit their assignments and homework through the internet. This has made it possible for many people who cannot be present in a physical classroom setting to attain a higher education. The introduction of technology has impacted the education industry positively but sad to say there are many negative impacts also. One of the major disadvantages is the lack of resources. Schools cannot afford to have a computer present for every student, rotating usage can be a problem that hinders their use. When teachers simply taught the traditional way all students can

The Impact of Technology on the Education Industry

be reached at the same time. Computers in classroom have also cut down on personal interactions between student teachers and peers.

Plagiarism and cheating is another area in which technology has impacted the industry negatively. Today more students are relying on the web to do their work for them. Students are now copying and pasting entire articles directly from the web (The Impact of New Technology on Education). This has result in the quality of homework hand in to teachers being extremely poor. Enough time is not spent on assignments and students forget to real purpose of an assignment, which is to research and gather useful knowledge from materials they have used.

The presence of technology in the education industry has help reshape and redesigned patterns of learning. The use of technology in the classrooms ensures better participation from students, interactive sessions in the classroom and an overall improvement in the quality of education.

The Impact of Technology on the Education Industry

Work Cited Kessler, S. (November 2010). Eight Ways Technology is improving Education. Mashable Tech. Pacey, A. (n.d.). Technology Today. The Impact of New Technology on Education. (n.d.). Mens Weekly. Wilheim, A. (2010). How Technology has changed Education. TNW insider.