Smartphones and tablets are already part of the reality of many children and adolescents, but it is necessary to use them in favor of education
In an increasingly globalized universe, it is difficult to talk about any subject without relating to the technology agenda. The revolution carried out from the expansion of the internet, caused new ways of thinking and acting to emerge in our environment, including with regard to education.
This became even clearer in 2020 with the coronavirus pandemic that forced schools to close their doors and adopt online teaching as an alternative to social isolation. However, it is necessary that this does not reduce teaching without integration between student and classroom.
Technology is here to stay, and it is very welcome. But it is necessary to remember that, in addition to the facilities, its use will only be complete if it is used in favor of education. In this sense, it is necessary that both parents and students, as well as schools and teachers are involved and active in favor of this change.
A new way to go
In general, technologies are being developed over time with different purposes, but with a common objective: to facilitate the life of human beings. We can cite elements, which today are apparently simple, such as the ballpoint pen, the pencil and the bond paper.
Thinking of even greater advances, we can remember the telephone, the typewriter, the computer and, more recently, notebooks, smartphones and tablets. All these objects are part of our daily lives and can be used for the most diverse benefits, including education.
With the expansion of the internet and the ease of access to the digital world, our reality has changed immensely. Communication became faster, as well as access to information. If you had to consult an encyclopedia in order to do a school project, today you just need to “google”.
Thus, understanding that we are constantly evolving and that these innovations – as well as others that are yet to come – are important for our growth as a society is fundamental to finding a path in which education and technology go hand in hand.
A new model of education is on the way
In this sense, it is necessary to rethink education, so that new technologies serve as support and incentives for teaching, on the part of teachers, and learning, on the part of students.
The teacher, for example, should not be seen as a mere reproducer, but as a mediator of knowledge to be worked on in the classroom. Also because much of what is brought as content can be easily found in a simple internet search.
The idea is that technologies support learning, making it more inclusive, interesting and closer to students, without ever replacing the teacher. At the same time, the virtual world must also make connections with the students' reality – facilitating understanding from what is concrete.
Greater interactivity
Thinking about new possibilities together and finding solutions to everyday problems are also part of the range of benefits of the integration between education and technology. Interactivity is present from the creation of applications, blogs and websites by the students themselves.
Improved accessibility
This aspect is one of the most interesting when we think about access to education. Access is notoriously facilitated with the internet, but this must consider local and economic aspects of each environment. Offering stereo and free internet, for example, is necessary in poorer communities.
more attractive teaching
The digital universe is already present in the lives of our children and adolescents, so it is necessary to use it to make teaching in classrooms more attractive. In this way, children and adolescents will be more interested in the subjects to be developed, thus facilitating their understanding.
