Nowadays, when globalization is uniting the entire world, we need to embed modern technology into education process as well. The research question of the paper is how technology could influence learning.
The social relevance of technology in learning is undoubtedly significant. Modern technologies and telecommunications make it possible to change the character and quality of the educational process organization immersing a student in the information-educational environment that stimulates the processes of perception and learning. New information technologies create an environment of computer and telecommunications support to the organization and management in various areas including education. The integration of information technology in educational programs might be implemented at all levels: at school, in university, and even at home. Therefore, technology becomes an essential part of teaching content optimizing and increasing the efficiency of the educational process.
In order to reveal peculiarities of technology and learning in different fields of life, we made up the following interview.
– Hello, Jack. Today I would like to discuss with you a topic about technology in the educational process. First, let us start with technology components in the library. Do you note any of them during your preparation for the examination in the library?
– Hello, John. Of course, there is such content as the wireless connection to the Internet, online catalog, etc. However, the modern feature of libraries is that they become more accessible online and “their role becomes less about housing tomes and more about connecting learners and constructing knowledge” (“21st-Century Libraries: The Learning Commons” 2).
– There is an opinion that Internet especially social networks in the library might distract a student from education. Do you agree?
– Partially, I accept this statement, as sometimes it is difficult to focus on learning due to the temptation to check your email or chat with friends. Nevertheless, the majority of libraries often control the Web using blocking an access to individual websites.
– Good. Now I would like to ask you about online content. Do you prefer to read a paper book or study using its online version?
– I consider that both of them have advantages along with disadvantages. Reading online might be harmful in the case when you have to read the entire book straining your eyes for a long time while the paper book is more convenient. However, the great advantage of the online content is that you can access to it from everywhere, even if its paper version is on the other side of the world.
– Have you ever used search in the digital database?
– Of course, I find it very useful as I can search for required information by a single word, phrase, author, or even ISBN.
– How can technology improve learning in the library in your opinion?
– Students care is essential. For instance, I believe that organization of special booths for phone conversations or classroom where librarians would teach the basics of the library computer literacy for students can improve the situation.
– Thank you, Jack. Now we move to the second section and speak about technology and learning in class. What kind of technology do you usually apply?
– During our lessons, we use various audiovisual facilities such as presentations, video, electronic textbooks, trainers, online conferences, etc.
– Does it increase the effectiveness of learning?
– Undoubtedly, it attracts students’ attention as something unusual and interesting. Technology helps to transform the information to knowledge making the process of memorization easier.
– What is your opinion about technology activities in the classroom?
– I do like them; they make students integrate and work hard in order to achieve the primary goal of learning.
– Could you note any flaws?
– Well, in some cases students perceive technology just like an entertainment. They just want to watch more video instead of speculating and discussing the given topic.
– What is the influence of technology upon teachers?
– In the article Study: Emerging Technology Has Positive Impact in Classroom by Ryan Lytle, the author emphasizes “educators’ feelings of goodwill toward technological innovation” (2).
– Our next topic is connected with educational technologies at home. I use my tablet and Google Apps to download documents online and edit them in real time wherever I am. Can you come up with an example, too?
– Yes, my teacher uploads some tasks on I-Tunes so that I can do my homework.
– Is it more convenient than traditional homework?
– I consider that digital technology issues and trends are the future of education since there is no need for lengthy handwritten reports as students might type everything fast and neat.
– One of the technology benefits is that students can receive a distance education. Do you find it useful?
– Supporting students at a distance, the university provides them with necessary material but “learners might face international challenges due to cultural diversity” (Anderson and Zawacki-Richter 75).
– What do you think about internet safety and security?
– I suppose some risks such as cyber-bullying, access to inappropriate websites, fraud, and issues about privacy exist.
– How can we confine those risks?
– The most of Internet providers offer Parents Control service that blocks certain irrelevant websites.
– In the speech Where Good Ideas Come From, the author examines the role of the technology in the coffeehouse in learning (Johnson). What do you think about it?
– Well, I remember that video where Carolyn Foote wanted to form a learning hub in order of collaboration, communication, and share between students and teachers.
– Yes, do you support this idea?
– In my opinion, it is worthwhile initiative as in a traditional library silence and independent study are the main constituents of learning.
– Should we fully turn to the learning hubs?
– To say the truth, I believe that traditional library also should exist because it includes plenty of relevant, sometimes rare specimens of books, journals, and newspapers.
– What is the prime importance of learning in cafés?
– It is a connection outside the school and even across the world that makes technology use in café significant.
– Could you notice any diverting factors?
– It could be noisy or scented sometimes.
– Our last questions are about technology in language learning. What is your attitude towards it?
– Well, I use some websites like italki.com or mylanguageexchange.com to learn new languages effectively.
– How can technology help students to improve their knowledge?
– I agree with the article The benefits of new technology in language learning by Gary Motteram where he claims that “we go through a process of creating and re-creating text until it is fully comprehensible to others and is accurate” using technology (5).
– What are the other benefits?
– For example, learners organize online video conferences for real time communication or provide teaching for others.
– What is the impact of technology use on language learners?
– According to the article Learning Vocabulary via Mobile Phone: Persian EFL Learners in Focus by Taki and Khazaei, students “study the learning materials with written or pictorial annotation better than the learning materials without it” (1257).
– What is the future of technology in language learning on your point of view?
– I consider technology would lead to new perspective and practices and perhaps would entirely reorganize the educational process.
– Thank you for your answers, Jack.
Methodology
In order to collect data, we looked at some of the most popular websites that offer a vast amount of free articles, programs, and books. Our research looks at aspects of technology and learning in different situations. We focused on finding out what the average person thinks about the given topic.
Findings
Through the interviewing process, our research revealed that informational technologies make it easy to solve the problem of storage, retrieval and delivery of information to students. The application of audiovisual facilities in educational system can increase the speed of transmission of information to the student, his understanding of it, and contributes to the development of outstanding professional quality such as creative thinking. Technology changed the way students learn and educators teach. Based on our research, recommendations to the university would be to integrate technology and traditional education in order to find a balance between them and increase students interest along with progress.
In conclusion, it should be noted that the emergence of personal computers and global access to the Internet not only broadened the horizons in the technical field but also introduced educational opportunities such as access to huge amounts of information and the ability to visualize it.
Works Cited
“21st-Century Libraries: The Learning Commons.” Edutopia 2015. Web.
Anderson, Terry, and Olaf Zawacki-Richter. Online Distance Education: Towards a Research Agenda, Edmonton, AB: AU Press, 2014. Print.
Johnson, Steven. Where Good Ideas Come From. 2010. Web.
Lytle, Ryan. “Study: Emerging Technology Has Positive Impact in Classroom.” U.S. News 2011. Web.
Motteram, Gary. “The benefits of new technology in language learning.” Brirtish Council 2013. Web.
Taki, Saeed, and Saeed Khazaei. “Learning Vocabulary via Mobile Phone: Persian EFL Learners in Focus.” Journal of Language Teaching and Research 2.6 (2011): 1252-1258. Print.