EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY AND MOBILE LEARNING
Technology is changing the way we work, create and communicate in various fields. For teachers, technology is opening up new possibilities to enrich and stimulate young minds. The education sector is revamped in the light of the newfound advancement in order to improve teaching and learning.
What is Education Technology?
Educational technology is the use of the digital medium in the field of educational theory and practice to facilitate learning. Educational technology is based on theoretical knowledge as well as a practical educational experience, from various disciplines such as communication, education, computer science, etc. It encompasses several domains like learning theory, computer-based training, online learning, and m-learning, where mobile technologies are used.
What is Mobile learning?
Mobile learning or M-Learning is the need and ability to learn with the help of virtual media, through social and content interactions, using electronic devices. M-learning is convenient as it is accessible from virtually anywhere. M-learning also brings strong portability by replacing heavy books with small devices, filled with tailored learning contents.
For modern learners who can’t allocate time for in-class learning in classroom settings, mobile learning is a blessing. It is a form of digital education that allows learners to use educational technology on their e-devices in the way they want.
It is important to keep in mind that the purpose of educational technology is to improve education. 1st we should determine the goals and needs of education and then use all our knowledge and technology, to design the most effective learning environment for students. The learning methods have greatly expanded today due to the various technological advancements. Instructional methods use newer tools like digital cameras, scanners, the internet, interactive panels as well as conventional materials such as projectors, TVs, webcams etc.
Modern Teachers need to understand what type of materials are available, how to use them, why and when they should be used, and how to integrate them into the teaching/learning process in order to meet the goal of improving education. Today technology can be implemented to perpetuate a teacher-led, knowledge-based progressive learning approach. We need to help teachers to understand the bigger picture of how technology or mobile learning can revolutionize education.
Why is mobile Learning Better than Conventional Classrooms?
- Convenient for m-Learners. One gets to learn without having to change their schedule or compromising other important activities, irrespective of where you are and what you do.
- M-Learning supports instant sharing and transferring learning content; this allows to use instant feedback system.
- Everyone is more likely to read and learn using digital devices rather than reading paper books.
- Learning through digital gadgets lets learners have more space for exploring and asking questions.
- This method is much cheaper than a conventional classroom learning setup.
