Education and Technology: An Integrated Approach Making Instruction Easier

         Technology has been part of our daily lives in the present world. Though its transition is very fast people tend to catch up and never let to be left behind with the computer world. Its continuous evolution leads to a deeper perspective on how people can integrate it into their daily life activities.  

         The integration of technology is very evident on how instructional techniques have evolved. Through the years the methods of instruction or educating people have evolved dynamically. From the conventional method that make used of solely blackboards, chalks, papers as main material for visual aids to more advanced, computer aided instructional techniques.  Through the integration of technology to education, imparting knowledge has not been that easy and more interactive. According to a research study by Common Sense Media, the use of computer has been pervasive even among very young children.

There have been different approaches on integrating technology with education. The simplest approach could be the use of powerpoint presentations during class discussions rather than the using the traditional chalk and blackboard. Though changing the phase of how the discussion will be carried on using powerpoint presentations, it tends to catch the attention of the students. Aside from that preparation of instructional materials or aids will be a lot easier for the instructors. For more advanced and interactive way some educators made use of server computers with local area networks (LAN), the process is that the instructor uses a main server computer to monitor the activities of the student during the class, in such a way that the instructor can view of the actual monitor interface of the studenst. In this technique the changing of ideas will be very simple and efficient, lessons, activities, exercises and examinations can be more interactive. Also, checking will be a lot easier on the part of the instructor.

Some educators even used of social networks as part of the teaching process. The benefit of this in the part of the students is that students who are shy or afraid of expressing their selves can open up and have a healthy conversation with the instructors over the internet. The integration of social networks can reveal how students express their perceptions and can help them to think rationally.  

But the improper and irresponsible use of technology as part of the educating process can affect the way how students think. The abusive use of the internet on making assignments and take home exercises tend to make students lazy. This is because most of the time students just copy and paste answers rather that reading then interpreting the answers on their own ways. In terms of the wrong use of the social networking sites, students cannot be conservative on expressing their thoughts making it difficult for them to control their emotions over a topic.

Nevertheless, technology will be an integral part of the educating process.