Has technology changed the way we learn?

The world of technology has had a significant impact on many aspects of our lives, including our education. According to Heick (2012), there are two main changes that have occurred. The first, being the access to resources. Any information that a teacher or student may need can, in the majority of cases, be found online. However, this can have both a positive and negative effect. On the plus side, it gives teachers a far greater depth of information from which to practice, however, the drawback is a lack of investigation needed to find the information as well as an over reliance on technology. The inclusion of technology in learning has also helped to erase all physical boundaries, meaning that students can now study from their homes, access assignments at any time as well as submit their work electronically.

Due to the reasons spoken about, technology has played a very large part in the development of both blended and distance learning.

“A typical distance learning implementation may utilise information technology to provide audio, video and graphic links between two or more sites, therefore using multimedia for communication” (Webster & Hackley, 1997).

Devlin, et al (2008) also state how the use of computers in distance education is helping to connect students from rural communities across Australia, whether they are located at pastoral stations, remote community schools or are on the road, travelling with their parents or carers.

Thomas (2013), reinforces that distance-learning providers are using virtual learning environments (VLEs) to enable students to engage in a multitude of different areas.  This also, due to the ever increasing poularity of mobile technologies, has lead to Universities now producing specially made apps to cater for these devices and to make the experience even more accessible for the students.

In conclusion, the author believes that there is strong eveidence to suggest that technology has changed the way that we learn today, making the experience easier and far more accessible. Whilst there are some institutions that may be further behind in relation to their level and inclusion of the technologies, every one of them would have been affected in one way or another.

Reference List

Devlin, B., Feraud, P. & Anderson, A., 2008. Interactive Distance Learning Technology and Connectedness. Education in Rural Australia, 18(2), pp. 53-62.

Heick, T., 2012. A Primer: 3 Ways Technology Has Changed Education. [Online]
Available at: http://www.edudemic.com/a-primer-3-ways-technology-has-changed-education/
[Accessed 2 November 2013].

Thomas, K., 2013. Students stuck in remote parts? There's an app for that. [Online]
Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/feb/18/distance-learning-through-technology
[Accessed 27 October 2013].

Webster, J. & Hackley, P., 1997. Teaching Effectiveness in Technology-Mediated Distance Learning. The Academy of Management Journal, 40(6), pp. 1282-1309.