“ ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF TECHNLOGY IN THE 21ST CENTURY EDUCATION ”

ROLES OF TECHNOLOGY

1. Technology allows for 24/7 access to information.

Students are more inclined to find information anytime by accessing the Internet through cellphones & computers or chatting with friends on a social networking site

2. Constant social interaction

Technology create an engaging and personalized environment to meet the emerging educational needs of our current generation. Using technology, students may interact and socialize with others regardless of their culture. And social interaction helps the 21st learner to prepare & enhance their skills for the global competition.

3. Easily created and shared digital content.

FUNCTIONS OF TECHNOLOGY

1. IMPROVEMENT OF TEACHING It tries to find out the different variables of

teaching, their interlinks, effects upon each other, relationships, theories of teaching, phases of teaching principles of teaching, maxims of teaching etc.

By developing the theories of teaching, it helps in improving the quality of education.

2. ANALYSIS OF THE TEACHING-LEARNING PROCESS

Educational technology aims at analyzing the process of teaching-learning thoroughly.

It is also concerned with various phases of teaching.

It tries to establish better relationship between teaching and learning.

3. IMPROVEMENT OF LEARNING Educational technology analyses the process

of learning and the related theories. It facilitates more & more of learning in less

time. It takes the help of various empirically

established generalizations from psychology, sociology, physical sciences, engineering etc.

4. ENHANCING GOALS OF EDUCATION

The objectives of education are being reviewed and revised with the passage of time

Educational technology helps in finding out the right objectives in the light of the changed circumstances and changed environment.

OBJECTIVES:

5. TRAINING TO TEACHERS The changed time of environment with new

curriculum and new materials is to be handled by the teachers.

Right type of training to the teachers is the need of the hour.

Educational technology can render its valuable help in training of teachers also.

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6. DEVELOPMENT OF CURRICULUM Curriculum is the total teaching-learning

environment, which has to be modified and remodeled in the light of latest thoughts.

Educational technology can do this job of developing a suitable curriculum appropriately.

Only a suitable type of curriculum will help in the attainment of goals.

7. DEVELOPMENT OF TEACHING-LEARNING MATERIALS

Teaching-learning materials are also as important as anything else in the teaching-learning process. They have to be in accordance with the environment of the learners.

Only right type of materials will able to modify the behavior of the learner suitably making him a fit person for the society.

8. TEACHING-LEARNING STRATEGIES

The strategy has to be the right one, which should be according to the materials and is able to bring about effective teaching learning.

The different strategies are being evolved by educational technology. The knowledge of those strategies is a must for every teacher.

9. DEVELOPMENT OF AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS

Audio-visual aids have always played an important role in the teaching-learning process. They need to be used according to the times.

The software aids, the hardware aids, the computer and other such appliances, equipment etc., have “to be used in the present type of teaching-learning environment.

10. HELP IN OVERALL IMPROVEMENT Educational technology helps in locating the

problems in the different areas of education. It also helps in remedying the draw-backs.

Evaluation of the teaching-learning process is also made better because through feedback, things are improved thoroughly & there is better control over the process of education.

Thus, educational technology can revolutionize the whole process of teaching learning.

EVALUATION !

11. IDENTIFICATION OF NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY

Educational technology identifies the needs of the community. It helps in providing equal education opportunities to backward people, disadvantaged students & deprived sections of the society.

Educational technology aims at identifying the needs of community from time to time. Then it tries to improve the community in every possible way.

THE FOLLOWING CAN BE CONSIDERED WHEN DECIDING HOW EDUCATION WILL LOOK IN OUR

SCHOOLS AND CLASSROOMS

1. INSTRUCTION SHOULD BE STUDENT-CENTERED Student-centered is strongly encouraged in the

21st century, this does not mean that the teacher can never give a lecture again.

Students will need to be able to acquire new information as problems arise.

The students would gather information on their own, under the guidance of their teacher.

2. EDUCATION SHOULD BE COLLABORATIVE Students must learn how to collaborate with

others. Students should be encouraged to work

together to discover information, piece it together and construct meaning.

Schools should also be collaborating with other educational institutions around the world to share information and learn about practices or methods that have been developed.

3. LEARNING SHOULD HAVE CONTEXT The teacher can make a point of helping

students to understand how the skills are building can be applied in their lives.

Students will be much more motivated to learn something that they can see the value in.

We need to take a more general approach and teach them skills that are useful in any situation.

THREE BROAD AREAS TO INTEGRATE TECHNOLOGY AS A FUNDAMENTAL BUILDING BLOCK INTO EDUCATION.

1. Use technology comprehensively to develop proficiency in 21st century skills.

Even if all students mastered core academic subjects, they still would be woefully underprepared to succeed in postsecondary institutions and workplaces, which increasingly value people who can use their knowledge to communicate, collaborate, analyze, create innovate & solve problems.

2. Use technology comprehensively to support innovative teaching and learning.

To keep pace with a changing world, schools need to offer more rigorous, relevant & engaging opportunities for students to learn- & to apply their knowledge & skills in meaningful ways.

Used comprehensively, technology supports new, research-based approaches & promising practices in teaching & learning.

3. Use technology comprehensively to create robust education supports systems. To be effective in schools and classrooms,

teachers and administrators need training, tools & proficiency in the 21st century skills themselves.

Used comprehensively, technology transforms & standards & assessments, curriculum and instruction, professional development, learning environments, and administration.