The challenges of Education Technology

Technology is known to improve our way of life. It helps us multi task, we are able to save costs as processes can be streamlined. Through technology some physical barriers like distance can be overcome. I remember watching a short video a couple of weeks ago about refugees from one African country that were mesmerized when they found themselves in America. The cultural differences were just overwhelming. Technology makes it possible for us to have relationships with anyone from any corner of the world, and interact with them in a manner that exposes us to their lifestyles in real time.  I also watched an interesting video of airplanes battling strong winds during take off and landing, something that I have never encountered throughout my flying experience. Social Media makes it possible for us to share our experiences with the rest of the world, helping all of us to expand our worldview. This type of exposure is being exploited extensively in the education arena. Not only to expose students to other parts of the world but also to help with their learning experience. A friend on Facebook recently shared how proud they were of their child who recently completed a research on the continent of Africa. The child is only 10 years and still primary school. Some institutions are literally going paperless. Online applications (computer programs) are used to teach various concepts. Business innovation has enthused others to set up computer study centers where children get extra lessons conducted via computers.

Education Technology is most effective when it is online. Educational software is available some for free and some at minimum costs. Most schools have gone out of their way to provide hardware in the form of desktop computers, tablets and electronic boards. Schools as responsible institutions, have restrictions on which sites students are allowed to visit in the cyberspace. They are laid down policies and procedures on the access of internet even Social Media networks. However just like textbooks, parents find themselves pressed to avail cyberspace accessing gadgets for children when they are at home. Some parents have bought their kids laptops, tablets and or smartphones. Some of our homes have broadband internet with wireless connectivity (wifi). Our kids are able to navigate the internet from home for school work and entertainment. This is where the challenge begins for an average parent.  The policies and procedures from school are not applicable or enforced at home. So who is supposed to monitor what our kids are exposed to when they are at home? Who supervises their activities on Social Media when they are at home? In fact, even at school, maybe the polices are not as effective because we have seen disturbing images and videos of school children in school premises, some in classrooms. The internet and Social Media in particular, makes sharing of these videos very easy and they go viral inflicting serious emotional damages on our children.

Whilst the internet has brought in Education Technology, which enhances the learning experience and prepares our kids for the feature, it comes with some challenges. We cannot overlook the possibility of some of our educators not being technologically sound to handle appropriately this phenomenon. Neither can we underplay the possibility that some parents are equally challenged to supervise kids appropriately around this technology. Psychologists have made observations that too much time spent online leads to developmental challenges on our children. Whilst the internet has proved to be a good learning tool, it is also known to kill off imagination and self confidence two important aspects of any learning experience. Therefore, it is dangerous for kids to spend a lot of time glued to the internet. But how much time is too much time online for a child? What do you do if your child already has an internet accessing gadget but their school is not yet using any Education Technology? How can you assure the safety of children when they are online at home? For kids that already show signs of addiction, how can they be assisted? Join us as we discuss these and other cardinal issues on Child Development, Learning Experience and Online Safety in a one day conference on Social Media and Minors. For more details follow this link  alefinnovations.com/wordpressfiles/events/