The Evolution of Education through Technology
It is difficult to imagine life without the Internet in its many means of access now such as desktop computers, laptop computers, netbooks, smartphones and notepads. A mere 21 years ago, most of us lived quite easily without its omnipresence in our daily lives.
Before the introduction of the Internet to the world at large, online education programs did exist. In the 1980s, the corporate world launched relatively prehistoric online education programs in the form of computer-based programs to ensure employees were vested with the most current information. This means of disseminating information was severely limited. With the advent of the Internet and its various improvements over the years, the corporate training process vastly improved and became efficient as employers could train employees in remote locations with fewer concerns of travel expenses, hiring job trainers in several locations, or risking employees at different locations suffering due to outdated information.
The revolutionary means of educating people online finally took hold in the educational community in 1994 with the distance learning organization known as CALCampus, which introduced the first entirely online curriculum. CAL started as Rhode Island’s Computer Assisted Learning Center for Adults, and was quick to recognize the value of the World Wide Web and integrated it into its repertoire, offering online courses for high school and secondary school course work. Soon, other colleges and universities took note and began to institute similar programs.
The early days of online education would probably be quite surprising to students introduced to online studies in the modern age. In addition to being text-heavy with few, if any, images or graphics, the ability to submit projects, instructor communication and other aspects of online learning have improved since those early days. Not only do modern online students benefit in vast improvements in technology, but they also have access to a wide array of helpful gadgets to make their online learning experience even easier.
External hard drives
Long gone are the days of clumsy floppy discs. Students can now easily save valuable online data, research, final assignments, audio-visual data, and much more in an external hard drive that can hold hundreds of gigabytes of data. These portable hard drives allow students to keep a class’s course work all in one secure location as a backup to their computer.
Soundproof headphones
Sometimes students can’t find a spot that is quiet enough to really focus and study for a critical examination. Whether it is roommates on a different examination schedule who choose to turn up the television’s volume too high, or neighbors who don’t attend school and don’t understand that the student is trying to study, soundproof headphones can be a solution to the frustration of distraction while trying to study. Students can seek out high quality, soundproof headphones to help them maintain focus.
Organizational apps for smartphones or tablets
A good calendar is essential to a student’s productivity. There are hundreds of apps on the market to help the modern online student stay on track and current on all deadlines. But organizational apps will help students keep track of, and highlight, their notes and plans for classes. CourseSmart is just one of the apps that can help students plot and stay their course.
Learning online has become more than just a supplement to teaching and learning—it’s quickly becoming the norm. Learning to embrace the newest technology, and how to use it teach and learn more effectively, has the potential to change the future of education.
About the author: Derrick Cruise is a professional writer living in the Indianapolis area. He specializes in technology and education articles. In his spare time, he contributes to stand-up comedy routines.
Tags: education, education and tech, evolution of education, technilogy
February 17th, 2012 at 4:22 pm
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