Carol Russell Class 4 Week 1 - Assignment Technology Changes Everything

Introduction According to Edyburn (2013), education is basically the transmission of knowledge from generation to generation. With this, advancement of technology has played a major role in the education sector. Technology has replaced the need to commit to the memory of information as it can be accurately and speedily retrieved just by a touch of a button (Edyburn, 2013).

3 Impacts of Technology towards Pedagogy A positive classroom environment has been achieved- this is evident in the video by Mitra (2010) on children-driven education. When learners are given computers to navigate through the internet to find information, they tend to enjoy it more. Information can reach learners despite their location- this is seen in the video where learners in the rural areas of Turkey are reached through the Firefly Mobile Learning (Dhingra, 2012). The instructors only function as facilitators of the learning process. Use of technology has led to benefits such as; providing learning for everyone, enhancing a blended learning, and has led to a collaborative learning (Dhingra, 2012). Collaboration through technology is also evident in the Microsoft vision video.

3 Ways Technology can be used to enhance Diversity Choosing tools that suit the curriculum- the video by Mitra (2010) tools that suit the learning experience are chosen. For example, where he is encountered with Italian kids, they are able to answer his English questions through web translation. Providing learners with appropriate software in their learning gadgets- for example, if you are an English teacher is teaching pronunciation, the speech to text software would be appropriate. Taking learning online- this will enable each student to have access to information at their own time. If a student needs immediate instruction from a teacher he/she can be free to do so on their own time.

3 Ways Technology facilitates Student Independence It gives a student authority of how they are going to learn- Learners are flexible in their learning. This is because they can access the technological tools anytime and anywhere. Technology provides for student-led instruction since learners take the biggest part of the learning process. For example, we see Mitra leaving learners with an assignment which they are supposed to tackle over a period of time and he comes to check the progress later on (Mitra, 2010). Children can learn independently regardless of who they are (Mitra, 2010) – for example, learners with different abilities of learning can learn at their own pace.

Summary Technology can bring reforms in our schools (Dhingra, 2012). Educators should, therefore, embrace the advancement of technology and in hand incorporate them in the course of their instruction. This is because it discourages learning through memorizing. Technological learning is essential in the achievement of 21 st century skills as it increases inquiry and hence improving problem-solving skills (Edyburn, 2013).

References Dhingra, R. (2012). Can Technology Change Education? Yes!: Raj Dhingra at TEDx Bend. Retrieved from; Edyburn, D. L. (2013). Critical issues in advancing the special education technology evidence base. Exceptional Children, 80(1), Microsoft Vision of the Classroom of the Future (2011). Retrieved from; Mitra, S. (2010, July). The Child-Driven Education. Retrieved from;