Technology has always been a great help when it comes to schooling and learning. Even in the olden days, the students of the time made use of the most advanced technology of their era to further their education. But then, as time went on, technologies evolved and learning got better.
This is a good thing because, in a way, technology saved a lot of us a lot of work. But then, just as it is a lifesaver in many instances, it is also a major source of distraction in other instances. And when you consider the fact that there will be those who adapt faster than others, it will also create this gap between everyone involved.
To me, one of the best technological devices that helped me in school was the scientific calculator. The prominent brands then were Casio and Porpo. I started using one when I was in secondary school, and it was indeed a lifesaver. The ones that were created that year used to have a bit of memory, very little but enough for you to save data. Like formulas.
No matter how intelligent you were, you couldn’t have all the formulas in your head. You could have the ones for math, easy. Math was never really a tough subject. But then, when you consider physics, calculus, and chemistry. Then you will realize that you need help.
But then, over time, that particular feature was removed from the calculators. Students still found a way to survive. Of course.
During my primary school days, it was always compulsory to memorize the multiplication table from 2 down to 12. It was tough for me. I only ever knew 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10. The rest I did by adding the number I was multiplying. A hack that never failed me. But then, as I moved further in my education, while those multiplication tables came in handy, I had the calculator to do all that for me.
And then, as time went on, we started getting assignments that required research on the internet. Many of us didn’t have phones back then, and if we did have phones they lacked internet access. So, we always went to cybercafes. These are business centers where you are allowed to access the internet on their computer for a certain amount of time, depending on how much you are willing to pay.
This came with its distractions, of course. Because from there we started doing other things online. Like opening social media accounts. My first Facebook account was opened at a cyber café, I can’t even remember the username now. Back then, we would open an account, and forget all about it because we didn’t have a phone. Maybe a month later, when next we went to the café, we would try to recall it but would be unable to. So, we create another.
The internet opened a whole new world for us back then. We got to learn a lot of things and as our teacher kept on giving us more assignments that required the internet, we got more and more adept at its use. And by the time we got phones, we were already pretty good at it.
So far, I have been talking about personal instances. In the grand scheme of things, technology has helped out as well in the field of research across all subjects, with projectors and digital libraries, students now have access to more material than we could have ever dreamt of back then.
As it is, I doubt children need to start memorizing multiplication tables or the states and capital. These are things that can be done easily by our smartphones, and no point in filling our heads up with them. We can instead fill them with actual learning that will turn out to be useful.
And as for the future of technology in education, I am quite optimistic about where it goes. I am sure the future is full of possibilities. I can see a future where there will be virtual reality and the use of holograms. Making use of images or mannequins will become obsolete, students will be able to immerse themselves in the simulation and have a real experience.
Imagine during a biology class, instead of having to study a picture of the human skeleton, or studying the lifelike teaching aid, the students simply put on VR goggles and connect to the simulation of the skeleton. There, they can see close up and even “feel” the skeleton.
This can cut across all subjects as well. Physics teachers won’t have to use diagrams and arrows when explaining Newton’s first law of motion (If you did Physics in school, you’ll probably understand. Chemistry teachers won’t have to use circles to explain the relationships between atoms and molecules. And the list goes on. Who knows, maybe the C.R.K. teacher will use simulation to teach students the passion of Christ.
There are so many benefits to this, and not just in the VR aspect. Even now, here in Nigeria, teachers in government schools no longer write lesson notes. I don’t know if it's all over Nigeria, but it's happening already in Lagos. They all have tablets that have the entire term’s work saved on them. With a few clicks, the knowledge is ready for dispensing. This saves the teacher a whole lot of work.
And as technology progresses, students would not have to carry books to school because everything would be digital. They won’t need notes because everything would be loaded unto the server and they can always access it. They do their assignments online and have them graded there as well. Actually, a lot of schools are already doing that, but it is not widespread yet.
As I said, the possibilities are a multitude and it can go any way at all. Will there be distractions? Of course. People will always find a way to be distracted. But when has distraction ever stood in the way of progress? Regardless, we move anyway. We make do with what we have for now, and use it to the best of our ability. And when better comes, we embrace it as well.
That is how it should be.
This post is inspired by the second topic of this week which is Technology On Education. Feel free to take part.