Not since World War II has the world,we have suffered a significant lockdown for schools and educational institutions. Such a lockdown happened at the same time and the same purpose. While we know the pandemic impacts, we also try to determine the effects on the education system. Educators all over the world try to choose possible options to keep education on track. This pandemic might be the disruption needed to rethink the strategies for the education system. The question arises about what we need to teach and to prepare our future generations. The educators try to evaluate new ways of communication away from classrooms and lecture halls. Now is the time to reflect on various technological innovations that will shape the educational system during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond.
You have probably heard it again and again that the Covid-19 pandemic has brought new opportunities to reimagine the education system. The term re-imagination refers to the addition of educational technology into schooling. It will give students more time to learn virtually with programs tailored to their individual needs. The crisis itself has stimulated the changes needed in the education sector with innovative approaches for support. Thanks to the quick response from governments worldwide, new supporting strategies have highlighted the promising future for students.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Education is the fundamental right of students, and preventing a learning crisis has become a requirement for all. If the education system collapses, the sustainability of the whole society is at stake. To mitigate the overwhelming effects of the pandemic, governments and stakeholders have to take a few recommendations in notice:
i.Building a resilient education system with equitable and sustainable development. An education system builds with strong foundations that can withstand future crises and respond to challenges.
ii.Reimagine the education system and accelerate changes in teaching and learning methods. The massive efforts to utilize new and improved technological innovations remind us that change is possible and adaptable. We all know that social workers have a significant role to play during this pandemic. Some of them need to upgrade themselves in this learning crisis. They are discovering new ways of addressing the learning crisis like online social work masters and other web-based learning platforms.
iii.Focus on addressing learning losses and dropouts by offering skill-building programs and employment opportunities.
TECHNOLOGICAL HELP IN IMPROVING EDUCATION
Improvement in the education system is a huge issue for society, especially during a pandemic situation. Utilizing technological innovations is an essential aspect that needs consideration and can help students become successful. While everyone wants to see changes in school and class size, technology cannot do that physically. However, what technology does is act as a force multiplier for educators and teachers. Technology helps to improve the education system by extending the time for classrooms. Even at the end of class session learning cannot stop, students can access assignments and lecture data whenever they can. It is particularlybeneficial for students who need more time to learn. By utilizing these online resources, they can learn at their pace and still keep up with their peers.
Technology-based projects also help students gain critical thinking ability and collaboration rather than memorizing only. They can use the web for researching and collaboration, even if no other student or teacher has physical availability. These projects will help them learn and develop the necessary skills to contribute as a future workforce. Although some technological advancements might be expensive, they prove cost-effective for an educational institution. Virtual field trips, emails instead of printed documents, virtual textbooks, and labs are all a part of various innovations that can help shape the course of the education system for now and the future. These resources can not only provide round the clock assistance to students but also offer them a great learning experience.
Take a closer look at some techniques about how technology has improved the education system:
DIGITAL MODELING AND LMS
Digital modeling and simulations have provided tangibility to teachers. They can help students who need visual or tactile learning for better understanding.Technology allows teachers to prepare advanced assessment and practice exercises for students. They have the means to keep track of student’s advancements while maintaining the records more updated.
Those who work all day and have little time for classroom sessions can utilize LMS as a platform for further studies. Many institutions offer online degrees, courses, and certifications for working-class students.
COLLABORATION
A significant hindrance to ineffective communication makes collaboration between students and teachers problematic. Technological advancements have improved communications and established a network for students and teachers. Teachers can post assignments, whereas students can participate in discussions easily. Communication advancement has also made the education system progress considerably.
EBOOKS
The availability of information has given rise to quick researching. The presence of EBooks has replaced physical books and has saved time in finding needed information. Smart search engines and virtual storage has made researching less demanding and more progressive. Practically, EBooks have saved money and time for students to haul into a pile of books for a single course. Education has become portable as every student has a smartphone and tablet at hand, making learning more convenient.
SELF-GUIDED LEARNING
The most beneficial aspect of technological advancement is the ability to learn at their own pace. Self-guided learning has made an enormous impact not only on students but also on the whole education system. Technology, as a part of the learning system, is a blessing in disguise for students today. Now they can keep up with their curriculum and learn concepts at their time flexibility.
PARENTS CONTRIBUTION
Another critical factor in improving the education system is the parents’ contribution to encouraging students to use various platforms. Technology can help parents with busy schedules to meet with teachers via online conferences or video calls. Additionally, they can look at the academic progress along with assignments through online gateways. They can help their children learn while at work using video calls, emails, and instant messaging.
FINAL WORD
The integration of technology has made learning significantly more fun and engaging for students. Various applications provide students with interactive approaches and suitable environment to learn. Digital collaboration has also improved how students learn and interact with their peers. Students do not need to gather physically, as they can virtually make their presence known while having all the collaboration online. With access to information like never before, students have better opportunities to learn and educate themselves. Even though the Covid-19 pandemic has hit our education system hard, utilizing the challenge as an opportunity is an aspect that can shape our education system drastically.
