Kavita Sharma, co-founder & CEO of Ziyyara Edutech

We all have heard that pen and paper is the mightiest tool to change the world. But what if I tell you that during the recent years, this tool has upgraded itself? For most students in higher education, the Covid-19 epidemic necessitated an overnight switch to remote learning, which began in the spring of 2020.

In addition to using video lectures, instructors embraced technology that allowed for increased engagement and hybrid models of online and in-person learning to engage students in the virtual classrooms. Even in primary schools, smart teaching through projectors became normative. The paper toons in comics have now transformed into the digital toons or tech which not only engages the children but also teaches them well. From the viewpoint of students, these changes have not only broadened educational horizons but also reshaped the dynamics of learning and interaction within classrooms.

The concept of distance learning has now become more effective and time-effective. Technology has been incorporated into education gradually but with great impact. Students have observed first-hand how technology has made learning more accessible and engaging. Through the use of digital materials, virtual classroom participation, and distant project collaboration, technology has made previously unthinkable possibilities for educational inquiry.

93.39 percent of instructors can operate virtual classrooms, 50.41 percent are capable of conducting online assessments and 40.50 percent are capable of using content-authoring tools (a genre of online software that permits creation and organisation of learning content into a standardised course structure, enabling a flawless experience for the learner). These statistics prove that after initial hesitation about these tech-based methods, people, especially educators have recognised the potential of new digital technologies.

Some of the tech tools that enable remote projects and distant learning are:

• Google Classroom
• Prodigy Math Game
• Pear Deck
• FlipGrid
• Edmodo
• Microsoft Teams
• Zoom

Emerging digital technologies offer several benefits to teachers and the students. Teachers’ readiness to adopt new technologies stems from their recognition of the advantages that these tools can enable online pedagogies such as:

• Flipped Classrooms
• Tactile Learning
• Project-Based Learning
• Problem-Based Learning
• VAK (Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic) learning
• Collaborative Learning
• Game-Based Learning, allows educators to customise lessons, cater to the needs of students differently, and organise administrative duties more efficiently.

The Techperiments

Creating a supportive environment for technology integration is also important for encouraging educators to embrace new tools and pedagogies. For many teachers, particularly those less familiar with technology, the prospect of incorporating new tools into their teaching repertoire can be daunting. By fostering a culture of collaboration and support, education institutions can empower teachers to experiment with technology in their classrooms and explore innovative approaches to engaging students. To make it more engaging and enjoyable for children, give a name to the blend of technology and experiments i.e, “Techperiments”. A few technologies teachers can experiment to introduce new digital technologies into classrooms:

• Video conferencing platforms
• Smart video platform
• Hybrid Technology
• Asynchronous learning rolls
• Synchronous learning tools
• Online textbooks
• LMS- Learning Management Systems

Moreover, accessibility of user-friendly tools has eased the transition to technology-enabled teaching-learning for educators. With intuitive interfaces and comprehensive tutorials, teachers can quickly familiarise themselves with new tools and confidently incorporate them into their instructional practices. This accessibility not only reduces the learning curve for educators but also ensures that technology can be effectively leveraged to enhance the learning experience for students.

The introduction of new digital technologies into the classroom has undoubtedly been a positive development from the students’ perspective. Through collaborative projects, virtual field trips, multimedia tools, and interactive courses, students have personally experienced how all the above-mentioned technologies can enhance their educational experiences. How students connect with teachers and engage with educational information will change along with online technology developments.

In a nutshell, the technological evolution in education has been transformative, opening up new opportunities for teaching-learning. From the standpoint of students, the readiness of educators to adapt to these changes has been pivotal in ensuring that technology is seamlessly integrated into the classroom environment. Looking ahead, continued collaboration between students and educators is essential to harness the full potential of technology to enhance the educational experience for all.

Also read: AI in the Classroom: Pros and Cons