Technology has been reshaping the way we learn, but exactly how
Since ancient times, technology has become a constant companion of humans from the moment they learned how to use tools in order to survive. Learning has dramatically evolved since then, but our educational experience will only continue to shift and change in the coming years—now, how exactly has technology reshaped the way we learn? During the pandemic, we navigated our way like it was wading through the unknown. It forced us to adapt to our ever-changing world in ways we didn’t immediately realize were possible.
1. Online Courses & Learning Platforms. With online learning platforms like Coursera, Udemy, Domestika, and others, it’s easier than ever to master a new skill with just a click of a button. And since you can complete these courses at your own pace, students can enroll in as few or as many as they’d like according to their schedule and day-to-day life.
2. Video Lectures. With video and short reel platforms like YouTube and TikTok, it’s also easier now than ever for students to learn by watching clips. This is especially great news for visual learners who grasp and retain information better when given diagrams and illustrations over reading traditional textbooks.
3. Virtual Classrooms. But what if you’re in a completely different country? Can you still learn in real-time? The answer is yes; with the rapid rise of technology, virtual classrooms using platforms like Zoom and Google Chat mean students never have to worry about missing a lecture because they’re on another continent or time zone.
4. AI Tools. And technology has progressed even further in recent years with AI tools dominating almost every aspect of our lives, with the emergence of ChatGPT, Grammarly, Gemini, and much more. These chatbots and assistants can provide instant feedback, edit documents, compile research and notes, and even explain complex concepts.
5. Mobile Learning. Don’t have a laptop? No problem. Mobile learning (mLearning) allows you to access content using your smartphone alone. This makes it all the more convenient to learn from anywhere, at any time, instead of having to lug around your tablet or laptop.
6. Learning Management Systems. Plus, learning management systems and Q&A forums, like Blackboard and Piazza, run by instructors and teaching assistants mean students can stay connected to their classmates and lecturers. Have a question related to your assignment? Pop onto the platform to ask it, and you’ll receive an answer from your teachers even outside of class or office hours.
7. Augmented Reality & Virtual Reality. With the advancement of technology, there are even more ways immerse yourself in a learning environment—literally. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in education allows students to have much more interactive lessons, which may help them better understand and retain difficult concepts.
Reference: 20 Ways Technology Is Changing How We Learn
