Educational technology, or EdTech, is more than technology used in the classroom. It’s a combination of hardware, software, educational theory and instructional design principles to support and facilitate learning.
Today, advanced tools and technologies like interactive whiteboards, virtual reality and gamification are being integrated into instructional design, for both remote and in-person learning.
Educational Technology’s Advantages Software and other technological tools can be used to deliver virtual lessons or to design multimedia instructional materials that can be applied to both remote and in-person learning. Digital learning tools can engage learners in the subject matter, assist them in comprehending concepts, and ensure that they practice skills. However, in order to maximize their educational value and achieve the desired learning outcomes, these tools must be selected and utilized with care. While in the program, Ryan Sobeck, a 2017 Adelphi University MA in Education Technology graduate, learned the significance of this rule. “Jumping to adopt a specific technology just because there is a perspective that it will be more engaging, interactive or fun can lead to improper implementation and disappointment when expectations don’t align with reality—for the students and instructor alike,” he says.
When incorporated according to the principles of instructional design and learning theory, EdTech provides advantages to students, instructors and society at large. These are just a few specific benefits of educational technology:
It helps students better retain information. It’s easier for students to remember what they learned when they’re actively engaged in a topic. EdTech tools can be interactive and draw learners in through critical thinking and problem-solving.
It supports personalized learning. Some people have unique needs due to learning disabilities or other challenges. Today’s EdTech tools enhance the ability to tailor lessons and instruction to individuals or groups.
It makes education more accessible. Equity has been improved and opportunities for more people have been created as a result of remote learning, which has made education programs accessible to students of varying abilities, locations, and incomes. It provides new opportunities for group work. Learners can work on projects in the same program, often synchronously, for a fully collaborative experience. This makes it easier for students to learn from each other and increases engagement. It enables teachers to identify struggling students. EdTech tools and platforms can gather data and provide teachers with a view of student progress. As a result, they are able to quickly identify students who are having difficulty grasping a skill or concept and intervene to help them catch up before they fall behind. It helps students prepare for the future. More aspects of life—not just work—are starting to require digital skills. EdTech enables students to engage in activities that are now largely conducted online, such as reading media publications and conducting research, as well as provides a foundation for entering or advancing in the workforce. As 2021 Adelphi University MA in Educational Technology graduate Krissy Dove points out, “Considering the backdrop of the past couple of years, I feel the importance of digital literacy and citizenship, as well as the importance of being an advocate for both in any position of instruction or communication, couldn’t be more apparent.”
2022 Educational Technology Trends
Advancements in technology and world events (such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated the adoption of remote learning around the world) are some of the factors driving the digital transformation of education. The following are some overarching trends in educational technology that we can anticipate in the coming years: Gameful Learning
One of the fastest-growing trends in EdTech, games provide elements of interactivity, competition and even collaboration, helping learners get involved with the subject matter in a fun way. The prospect of winning or accumulating “points” or other rewards can also be motivating.
M-learning
With more than 6 billion smartphone users in the world, mobile learning, or m-learning, is a cornerstone of modern distance education. Mobile learning involves the use of students’ personal mobile devices to access or complete their education.
Data Analytics
As learners engage with EdTech tools, those same tools gather data that instructors and organizational leaders can use to inform their planning and decisions on customizing lessons, improving instructional design or lesson content, and managing and supporting student progress.
