How the EdTech Movement Is Changing the Future of Education
The digital world is moving into the classroom, and chalkboards are going the way of the dodo.
From elementary school to beyond the bachelor’s degree, the education system is embracing modern technology for its convenience, its updating ease, and its ability to customize content depending on a student’s needs. The movement is known as EdTech, and it’s changing the way people teach—and learn.
A recent survey by PBS about the impact of digital technology in the classroom shows that nearly three-quarters of teachers surveyed link educational technology to a growing list of benefits, saying technology enables them to reinforce and expand on content, to motivate students to learn, and to respond to a variety of learning styles. Sixty-nine percent said educational technology allows them to “do much more than ever before” for their students.
Those surveyed said the most commonly used tech resources are online lesson plans, interactive web games, and online articles. More than one-third said they use a tablet or e-reader in their classrooms, up from 20 percent last year.
According to the Software and Information Industry Association, the EdTech market is estimated to be worth about $7.8 billion and is rapidly growing.
One resource, Top Hat, makes lectures more interactive by offering polls, quizzes, and demonstrations, and also can be used remotely for digital discussions, homework, and grading. It’s web-based, so there’s no hardware to buy or software to install—students can respond and participate using their laptops, tablets, and cellphones.
Several websites are based on the idea that students should actively participate in their learning rather than being lectured to. One, Knewton, provides an API built on scalable back-end services to let teachers create flexible curricula for multiple classes. New or existing digital learning applications can use Knewton’s technology to generate a personalized lesson for each student.
Now, these may be great strides—for the schools that can afford a change. But what about the many underfunded districts across the country? A survey by PBS LearningMedia shows that three-quarters of teachers wish they had more technology to better engage their students. More than half said it's not a lack of training, but a lack of funding that's keeping the gadgetry out of the classroom. (We can’t all go to grade school in Tallinn, Estonia.)
Government officials are realizing that high-tech education is a must rather than just a convenience. This month President Barack Obama made a bold declaration that in five years, 99 percent of students in the country will have access to high-speed broadband and wireless Internet, as well as more digital educational resources. “We are living in a digital age, and to help our students get ahead, we must make sure they have access to cutting-edge technology,” he said.
How are teachers using technology in your classroom or in your child's school? Do you think EdTech is being used enough? Let us know in the comments.
