Digital learning Reducing Dependence on Human Educators

Electronic media has become all-pervasive in the modern academic curriculum and this has brought into question the relevance of human teachers in the increasingly digitised classroom.

Nowadays, use of computers has grown exponentially in various facets of education. It has not only been essential in learning at the foundation levels of education, but at higher levels too where computer based training to promote distance and off hour learning has become a necessity.

Electronic media has become relevant in the digitized academic curriculum and this has brought into question the importance of human teachers in the increasingly modern classroom. Dispelling the question, however, is the fact that growth of electronic learning has not only enhanced the role of human interface but made teachers central to the enterprise.

Technology is helping teachers to impart wholesome education, such education has a strong social, moral and emotional content which are very important ingredients of a firm foundation of a student.  Although, the role of the teachers has become more challenging and demanding as they need to cope with the latest technologies and tools for education.

Below are the points through which technologies have affected teachers:

Learning

Understanding of basic concepts and ideas are the main focus for primary education. Education through technology can help in improving cognitive skills and help in understanding basic concepts. However, teachers would play a pivotal role in ensuring that transmission of knowledge is logical and uniform over all children.

On the other hand higher education requires more focus and perseverance. Higher education requires a high degree of motivation and self-discipline from the students. Although latest tool of learning allow students to study at flexible hours and create promote understanding.

Teaching

Modern technology saves the teaching time and eases the teaching process as they take over routine administrative tasks that usually take much of the teaching time. It also provides graphical, audio and visual inputs and makes teaching simple and interesting.

This also helps teachers in developing non-cognitive twenty first century life skills like lateral thinking, problem solving and many such attributes that are equally critical components of education as academics. As latest technology can never replace the institution of teachers, it would certainly redefine the traditional role of the teacher from a knowledge provider to a catalyst and a knowledge enabler.

Benefits

Implementing technology into education has significantly altered the landscape by making it accessible to all.  Digital education has managed the shortage of teachers and has bridged to some extent for the activities like syllabus management, programming and assessment as they have been partially taken over by computers relieving teachers towards core functions.

The job of a teacher today is to be digitally friendly, fully plugged in and constantly evolving to the latest education technology with the change in the time. Eventually, teachers who use technology will replace those who do not.

This article is authored by: Ms. Mitsuyo Tamai – Founder, Kiwami