Technology In Education
I remember playing The Oregon Trail and Math Blaster when I was in elementary school and thinking how fun they were. Not only was I thoroughly entertained, but they helped increase my interest in learning. Fast forward 20 something years and I am absolutely amazed how much technology has progressed and how much potential technology in education has. If you have a child or are a student yourself, here are the top 5 technological resources to help with your education.
1). The Internet
Without a doubt, the internet is the most significant change for technology in education. Knowledge and resources have not been so easily accessible. However, this is also a downside as plagiarism and stealing content has also increased. Nonetheless, the benefits greatly outweigh the negatives. In fact the internet is too massive to contain in just this one paragraph. Some of the other items on this list are websites that specialize in helping people receive a great education.
2). Wikipedia
Teachers have always stated that Wikipedia is an unreliable source as anyone can edit. While that is true, it’s very existence demonstrates a large leap for technology in education. Gone are the days of owning dozens of leather bound books which require updating for the latest information. Additionally, Wikipedia has become increasingly effective at removing erroneous information with the help of it’s large community of volunteers. Nevertheless, I agree that it should not be used as a source for an educational paper. That said, Wikipedia articles themselves contain sources that are perfectly capable as reference materials. Last, but not least, Wikipedia provides information about cultural and trivial facts that a physical collection of encyclopedias would not be able to contain simply due to space and cost efficiency.
3). Khan Academy
The Khan Academy is an absolute must for people who want to see the perfect example of technology in education. Powered by Youtube videos, you can receive lessons in chemistry, biology, algebra, calculus, and almost any other subject there is.
4). iPhone
Technically any mobile device is a great example of utilizing technology in education. With the power of a mini computer these devices can be a dictionary, calculator, translator, and much more. Along with the capability of mobile browsing, you once again have all the information available on the internet at your fingertips. However, with iOS devices, it is even better since there are an abundance of educational apps. From ones that teach you new languages to graphing calculator apps, you can turn your iOS device into a powerful educational tool. It’s quite amazing how far we have gone in terms of technology in education.
5). Wolfram Alpha
Wolfram Alpha can be seen as the evolution of technology in education. It is absolutely amazing, the things you can do once you visit the website. Whether it’s graphing complicated formulas or integrating calculations equations, it is truly the next step in educational websites. Although it may not be applicable to everyone, it is definitely worth checking out, especially if one is into math.
It has come a long way in terms of technology in education, but like all technology, the best is yet to come and I am excited to see what will come.
