The Impact of
Technology on Learning
Technology has and will
continue to have a significant impact on learning. It has changed the very way
in which we learn. In this day and age students are “digital natives” and the
need to learn in ways that are meaningful to them. This makes the integration
of technology into learning of great significance.
Technology had done
more than merely support learning, it has ultimately transformed how we learn.
Learning can no longer be confined to the years that a student spends in school
or the hours that they spend in the classroom; learning must be lifelong,
life-wide, and available on demand.
In order to effectively
prepare our students to learn throughout their lives and in settings far beyond
the brick and mortar classroom, we must change what and how we teach to match
what our students need to know, how they learn and where and when the6 learn
and change our perception of who need to learn. We must bring technology into
learning in meaningful ways in order to engage, motivate, and inspire our
students to achieve.
Differences in the
Online Learning Environment and the Face to Face Learning Environment
The online learning
environment provides a learning experience that is different than in the
traditional learning environment. Historically learning has been content driven
and teacher centered. Online learning has been widely accepted as
student-centered learning. In the online learning environment students are in
control of their learning. This environment gives students the opportunity to
take ownership of their learning.
Constructivism
Driscoll (1994)
describes constructivism as a learning theory that makes the assumption that
knowledge is constructed by learners. It is so important for students to be
given the reigns, when it comes to their learning. Educators must take a step
back. Their roles will no longer be the same. They will transform into
facilitators; they will facilitate student learning.
Driscoll, M. P. (1994).
Psychology of learning for instruction. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn &
Bacon.
I like your statement that learning must be lifelong, life-wide and on demand. That is very true with how the digital natives view learning. They find learning in so many different things than learners have previously.
ReplyDeletePam,
ReplyDeleteIt is so easy for me to incorporate technology into the adult education courses I teach because they are computer applications courses. Everything we do is computer-related and therefore technology based. I have created a challenge for myself to integrate more challenges and opportunities to expand for my students by, for example, adding a lesson strictly on the Internet basics, understanding Windows 7, and a little introduction on smartphone technology. My classes are "introductory" in nature, so I'm limited in how far I can stretch it, but I am trying to incorporate more technologies so my students get a better idea of what's out there and are challenged to take more advanced courses after they finish mine.