The global teaching emergency has exposed refined flaws in education systems that have been present for many years. Due to the COVID-19 situation, many students lost their learning capabilities involved in the traditional form of learning through classes and hence the importance of using new approaches to education. These challenges have been further slowed down by teacher shortage, lack of resources, and uneven distribution of quality learning materials that put in a vulnerable position, millions of students. Technology, however, offers a beacon of hope. It can be used to play a crucial role of providing learning materials to supplement teaching and learning, thus filling in the gaps for the learners and instructors. How to use technology in education crisis make it easier to provide differentiation of instruction to the students in order to increase efficiency and student achievement. Also, technology leads to result in bridging student- student and student-teacher cooperation, relationships disregarding the geographical location. Thus, the opportunities for students in the context of learning in other forms or in blended environments increases with the chance of a more inclusive and just society. However, it becomes pertinent to note what has been termed as the digital divide and which requires the necessary IT tools to be availed to students. By embracing technology information, educational institutions, governments and organisations can actively engage and integrate it as a tool in their strategic plan for the advancement and development of education for the learners.
Harnessing Online Learning Platforms
Among the most notable technology innovations in learning, the notion of online learning systems can be regarded as one of the most important. It also provides direct access to education of good quality and helps in dismantling barriers that were conventional in the past. The growth of solutions like Khan Academy, Coursera and EdX imply that learners can easily consider a great deal of classes and get education from tutors around the globe. The Case for College Education and Technology As an example, flexibility is one of the benefits associated with online classes since students can learn from their preferred locations and at the convenience of their own time. It is more advantageous that enables credit opposed students, for instance, the working class or those with families, to learn. Through the mechanisms that allow for differentiation in learning, these platforms increase the level of learning and retention. Besides, in distance learning, different technological tools are used in technology such as videos, quizzes and activity. These tools are in a way functional for different learning intervention modes and thus helps students to understand more easily. Such platforms also help educators to track the completion of assignments by students which may help them to intervening when needed. Additionally, the public schools conducted their classes through online platforms to ensure that learning does not stop with the outbreak of the pandemic. While some struggles were identified in implementing the solutions, some teachers found other means of enhancing learning and teaching under the online learning environment. This shift would also bring out what is emphasised as the role of online learning solutions in the future of education. However, a big question arises as to how all students could easily access these platforms. Generally, rural and other deprived areas are not well connected to the physical structures required to facilitate internet access and use. These issues should be priotized to prevent any form of hindrance that may prevent all students from accessing online learning.
Interactive Learning Tools and Gamification
Hence, apart from online learning platforms, there is digital learning, educational games commonly referred to as learning technologies. They are educational technologies from which students are able to get engaged through contents, operations and games respectively. Educational applications enable students to try and use information comprehensively through the use of the gadgets through simulations. Lectures such as GeoGebra lets the students learn mathematics as it involves graphics and models which the students can interact with. It is thus evident that the introduction of game elements in the education process commonly referred to as gamification positively influences the students. Rewarding systems, quizzes, and various competition can all be employed to make learning process more fun for educators. Science has proven it, and it tells that in the approaches, which are used to make the lessons into games, the learners have an ability to retain knowledge and develop skills in the various aspects more proficiently. In addition, it also encompasses various forms of learning peculiar to the interactivity part, thus making education more accessible. Visual learners will have an easy time grasping what is being taught when graphics or videos are used while the kinesthetic learners will be able to learn as they be involved in manual activities. Technology therefore boosts the differentiated teaching so that each learner’s needs may be met as planned. Nevertheless, several issues arise as regards to the use of tools in information services for learning. Techniques must be imparted to the teachers so that they know how to incorporate all these technologies in their lesson plan. Thus, the PD should aim at the most effective ways to utilize the interactive tools for students’ engagement and learning improvement.
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Data-Driven Decision Making
Another important factor that should be considered while incorporating technology into learning is use of data in decision making. LMS and SIS provide with relevant information about students’ performance, activity levels, and attendance. This information can help educators in monitoring the progress of the students and maybe improve on his or her teaching method Swing, (2010). Data-driven strategies will enable teachers to find patterns and trends of students’ behaviors and consequently change their strategies. For instance, if one or more students fail to grasp a particular concept, the teachers may redesign their teaching schedules to review such content. This preventive measure assists the students in avoiding to be left behind and fosters continuous enhancement the learning process. In addition, precautionary measures can also be taken through the use of predictive analytics so that those who risk dropping out are as well identified in the initial stages. From the attendance records and the performances, it is possible to find out when the child is having problems before they are worsened. This level of data-driven support means higher chances of retaining the learners. However, it is relevant to be ethical when it comes to handling data. Student privacy is important and proper use of data must be put into consideration by educators in order to advance learning activities. From the case presented, it can been noted that practicing teachers lack adequate knowledge on how to apply data into practice, hence the need for development of trainings to enhance use of data in practice as well as creating culture of continued improvement. Also, schools need to have the appropriate information infrastructure to gather and process the data correctly. In doing so, it makes it easier for educators to make the right choices that affect learning to the students.
Overcoming the Digital Divide
There is no doubt that integration of technology in the education sector brings thrill. However, inadequacy of access to technology translates to the notorious digital divide. The lack of access to the devices and/or adequate internet connection increases the differences in the access to education. Thus, one must strive to ensure that the gap that exists in this aspect be closed at all costs. Initiatives geared towards availing technology to the hairy place can go along way to bridging this gap. Devices, that are distributed to students and programs that extend access to the Internet, and affordable data can ensure the same opportunities for the learning process. These can be carried out in collaboration with technology companies and other organizations or institutions that enable schools to implement these strategies such that children in various areas of schools get accorded equal opportunity with the advanced technologies. In addition, educators should also ensure that they adopt ways and means of teaching that is appropriate for students who do not have access to items such as a computer and the internet. Incorporation of online elements in to the classes which makes use of both the conventional face-face instruction and other online resources will not disadvantage those learners who do not have steady access to computers at home. This occurs due to the fact that the focus of equity in education suggests that the integration of technology should not worsen the inequalities. Government, therefore, needs to be sensitive to all the students and devise means through which such special needs learners can be supported in their endeavors in learning through technological integration.
Conclusion
To sum up, the influence of how to use technology in education crisis and how it helps get over the methods of teaching crisis is the following. Using such resources as online classes, engaging tools, and analyzing algorithms, the negative factors affecting learning can be minimised to ensure equal education for all through the help of technology. Nevertheless, issues like the digital divide still persist, nevertheless, there is hope to look forward to as educators, policy makers, as well as members of the community can work hand in hand and make efforts in regard to development of more effective and more responsive educational systems. It is the integration of technology that is not just a phenomenon of the current generation or a novel fad but it is a progression towards the provision of effective and definite Learning to each learner. It is, therefore, important to adapt to these changes and ensure that a collaborative effort is made to produce learners to fit the society we are steering towards the information age. The integration of technology into education still needs commitment and equal support in terms of vision and political goodwill to demonstrate a positive change in the education of students.