Our generation of students was born into a digital world and with each coming generation, the Internet evolves to be better. Kids today have an innate ability to use and access technology. Hence, it is important that we guide them to make the best use of the technology and information available to them. With developing connectivity, it is important for schools to educate young adults about the threats and opportunities of cyberspace. A smartphone can be one of the most advanced technology in education if used in the right way and some of the many advantages of it are mentioned below.
- Increases Engagement: The human brain processes images 60,000 times faster than text and 80% of people remember what they see, compared to 10% of what they hear and 20 % of what they read. Hence, it is no doubt that students tend to learn better when taught by engaging pictures and videos. The interest of students is ignited while accessing information beyond the textbook and it sparks the curiosity to learn more in them.
- More Information: The Internet has evolved so much today that there is barely any information that is not available by a single search and clicks. It allows you to carry terabytes of information in your pocket. M-learning is not only more convenient for students to access detailed information on any topic but also easier for teachers to provide kids with the most accurate and the latest information. Students today can seek many free online courses to inculcate skills that are beyond the standard curriculum of schools and colleges.
- Online Classes: The world is going through turbulent times and the only thing that has helped education go on without disruptions is the concept of online classes. Institutions worldwide are conducting classes online using different applications. It is necessary that we are equipped to tackle similar challenges in the future as well. Not everyone can afford a laptop or computer but due to the development of mobile technology, there are smartphones available today that are very inexpensive and economical. Mobile learning has made it possible for everyone to have access to education at doorsteps.
- Affordable for All: The evolution of smartphone technology has not only made online classes easily accessible to students of all social strata but has increased the literacy rate on the whole. There are many groups of people in the economical hierarchy of our country that still can’t afford basic or higher education. Students can now enrol for diploma courses or distance learning programs and get a professional degree sitting at home with this inexpensive technology.
- Apps for Opportunities: There are so many online applications available today on the smartphone app market that help students practice and learn basic to advanced concepts on the go. It not only helps them utilize time better but also provides a fresh set of questions that help them learn beyond textbooks. Various applications available today help students apply for internships to experience the real-world work environment and gain the necessary practical knowledge. It brings about tons of opportunities for students who are willing to learn and grow.
- Digital Education Makes Students Tech Savvy
The digitization of the world has made it necessary for everyone to learn and understand the developing technology today. With the boom in the IT sector in the last decade, programming and fundamentals of software have become inevitable for students to learn. It has become essential to know how to navigate through all types of technology. Technology in education creates a foundation for students to adapt and get used to learning via the Internet and makes them comfortable using the latest technologies from a young age.
- Easier for Teachers
It is not only a helpful tool of education from a student’s perspective but also very beneficial for teachers as well. They can program applications to do anything they want, from curating an updated syllabus to correcting worksheets and answer scripts, all the manual work done by teachers can be easily automated. It is also easier for teachers to keep the students focused and engaged in academics.
- Environmental Friendly
Out of 17 billion trees deforested every year, 60% of them are used to make paper. The digital education sector will drastically reduce the number of trees cut down every year for textbooks, answer sheets, notebooks, etc. Physical books can be replaced by ebooks and online computer-based examination can be conducted instead of pen and paper ones. We must take the environmental impact of the education sector seriously and try to make it as environmentally friendly as we can.
It is essential that we recognize the major role that technology plays in our daily lives and try to incorporate it into the lives of young adults in the most positive way. Mobile learning can be a huge breakthrough if we teach kids how to utilize the information present on smartphones and make the most of it.
