Technology as the enabler for Education

Use of technology in education and passing of knowledge has come a long way over the last couple of centuries. From the use of blackboards in the early 1800’s to the use of mobile learning devices in the current Covid world, technology has been an enabler for access to education. In this blog, I will be writing about the changes in technology trends in the education space and how the Examination Online team is helping educators develop customized solutions for the benefit of learners.

The evolution

The need to provide information to a large audience of learners at one time led to the use of teaching boards when a school in Scotland in 1801 used a large piece of slate on the wall. By the mid-19th century, every classroom in the US had a blackboard to teach students. Projected aids for teaching have been used for centuries, and filmstrip / overhead projectors were widely used in classrooms across the globe till late 1990s. 

But in the 2000s, they were replaced by computer-based projection and interactive whiteboards. These new systems allowed teachers to project image/video directly from a computer file. With the advancements in animations, interactive elements, and access to information using internet and day-to-day instruments (cell phones, tablets, laptops, etc), teachers started adapting to newer ways of teaching and passing of information to students in unique interactive ways. 

The ultimate objective of using digital learning tools in classrooms remains to increase student engagement, help teachers improve their lesson plans, and facilitate personalized learning with easy-to-access information. Significant advancements in augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), robotics, and coding have made classes more lively. Many start-ups and companies are working on solutions that use these technologies that enable students to explore new subjects and deepen their understanding of difficult concepts, particularly in STEM topics.

Examination Online has been helping innovators

The Examination Online team is working on or has worked with companies in developing customized technology solutions to help educators. Our solutions include –

• Personalization of content based on assessment of individual students
• Customized products targeting specific intelligences – Linguistics, Logical-Mathematical, etc.
• Blended learning integrating both face-to-face and online learning opportunities
• Enhanced memory retention techniques such as flash cards and mnemonics 
• Analytics and advanced reporting for effective tracking with interactive dashboards
• Mobile learning applications 

Amid Covid-19, the education sector has taken an abrupt shift by moving from traditional classrooms to online classes and webinars. While it has been tough for students (especially younger ones and those with lack of access to technology) to adjust with this change, technology has still allowed learners to continue learning with easy access to content and tools that allow teachers to effectively take classes virtually. These technological advancements have been effective learning aids in the hands of education, yet striking a balance between new methods of teaching with the use of technology and learning will continue to be crucial.  

Anand Damani

CEO, Examination Online