In times like these, when the world is pushed to a sudden closure and education has been transferred from physical to online, the importance of introducing technology in the education department makes a very case for itself. The debate around the shift from physical to completely online education is centered around its availability and usefulness for all across the globe. It has exposed the discrepancies between the developed. And less developed in dealing with the online education system as imposed by the pandemic.
The socio-economic conditions vary around the world and area to area in the same country. The need for educational software became necessary to function during the pandemic, which calls for swift action in this regard. The United Nations has stressed the immediate need for educational software development and implementation. United Nations commitment to “Realizing the promise: How can education technology improve learning for all” was brought to discussion during the 75th annual anniversary of the UN General Assembly.
The briefing released afterward focused on the need for custom educational software keeping in view the technological advancement differences among the countries. The developing world isn’t equipped with resources to digitalize its educational system. Thus the increasing disparity and access to technology between students belonging to different classes.
The picture is an accurate representation of how technology has changed traditional ways of learning. Computers, laptops, phones, and iPads have successfully replaced notepads and notebooks and will continue to do so in the future. Mobile apps for e-learning, Edtech, and education software are some of the ways by which technology can help make education more accessible and customized to the needs of students. If you’re looking for eLearning mobile app development services, Invozone is one such platform that can help you with it.
Why is it important to invest in educational software:
It is believed by the educationists and educators that introducing educational software can revolutionize how we view education. It will lend access to students in remote areas to education, connect students from around the world to get online degrees from universities. They otherwise don’t have access to, programs of distance learning are facilitating thousands. Pre-recorded lectures help in transmitting information to wider audiences, custom educational software enhances connectivity among the educators, learners, and parents.
Teachers would have access to curating personalized syllabus that caters to every student’s need, individualistic approach to education will help educators to focus on every student’s strengths and treat everyone as per their needs. They can update, customize and track the progress of their students with the help of educational software.
Interaction among educators, learners, and educational material:
Two of the most prominent education researchers from the United States, David K. Cohen, and Deborah Loewenberg created a unique theoretical framework. Two decades ago addressing the problem of the gap between educators, learners, and educational material. They are of the view that what matters most to improve learning is to bridge the gap between educators and learners. This is where educational software developmental services can come in handy. Educational software can be created to increase connectivity among the teachers and students and it has been done and implemented in some of the developed countries.
Source: Adapted from Cohen and Ball (1999).
Improves student engagement:
Student engagement has to be at the core of educational learning and lagging education engagement. That has been of concern for most educational professionals and custom educational software has the potential to help minimize. The software can be designed to improve student-to-student engagement, classroom management and communication, and student to teacher communication. Software like Augmented reality software and virtual reality software can improve engagement levels among students that otherwise don’t feel the need to communicate.
For example, if we get a classroom of fifth-graders on VR headsets and let them explore the underwater world. It would add greatly to the engagement levels shared adding value to the learning process at the same time.
Help teachers with managing workload:
Educational software technology can help teachers efficiently managing the workload. Assessment educational software help teachers in assessing assignments, grading papers, and leaving feedback without having to do it all manually. When teachers have less work to worry about, they can extend all their attention to the students.
AR/VR solutions and student information systems (SIS) can be of great help to teachers. Access grade books and retrieve all the information on a student within minutes. This information will allow them to make detailed policies regarding varying student needs. For example, who is performing fine, who needs additional help with a certain subject struggling to perform in assignments and papers.
Edtech and the future of classrooms:
“Edtech, or educational technology, is a combination of computer software, hardware, and theory that is used in education or training to increase the engagement and success of students”.
The use of technology in education as explained above isn’t a new concept but the term “Edtech” is relatively new. Some would have seen overhear projectors for class projectors, some would have been using smart screens and to the time of personalized Ipads. All of these innovations have aided educational software learning to a great deal.
Here’s what it looks like visually speaking:
Conclusion:
The journey to introduce technology in educational learning is a long road to tread, we have just made few strides. It is important to debunk assumptions that can hinder progress. It is pertinent to realize and acknowledge the prevailing socio-economic disparities among students in the world which are in no way following the commitment to a world where every student has access to equal educational opportunities. Covid-19 has exposed this reality and how students don’t even have access to working internet, laptops, and simple resources.