Technology-Enabled Learning

Reflection on the nexus between technology and Learning 

(Eroni Rikoriko Batikawai)

Technology has always been part and parcel of education, albeit what we regard as technology 400 years ago may be different to what we refer to technology today. For instance the first calculator invented in 1623 may not be among the list of todays technological tools in an age of artificial intelligence and virtual reality. Regardless of the changes in time, technology (machinery, equipment, tools developed from the application of scientific knowledge) in its various forms continue to influence education system.

Picture (left): 1623: First Adding Machine

Technology-Enabled Learning 
It's useful to discuss the technological innovations in the 21st century which we get to enjoy today and perhaps take for granted. Thirty years ago no one knew of innovations such as 'social media' (facebook, twitter, snapchat), 3D-printing, augmented reality, virtual reality, blockhain, digital electronic books (ebook) , gene editing, digital assistant. videoconferencing (skype, zoom) and so forth. These technological innovations have shaped how do live and it is almost unthinkable a life without your gadgets around you.

The art of education has benefitted immensely from technological innovation which has made education accessible, affordable, time-relevant, flexible to deal with the challenges of a globalized world. With the recent Covid-19 pandemic challenging the status quo in how we learn, technology has again become a forerunner is making education delivery in the 21st century dynamic and responsive to the needs of all leaners in post-pandemic world. It needs to be said however that technology is not the solution to 21st century education but rather technology is a tool to aid education and learning. Nevertheless technology-enabled education supports the harnessing of education to aid in education delivery and outcomes. 

Technology innovation of the 21st century has a lot of has a lot to offer in improving education outcomes in the following areas:

a) Transform the learning environment from traditional teacher-centered to a student-centered through different technological interface and modalities. 

b) Improved education resources for both teachers and students have been radically improved through technological innovations such as ebooks access, open educational resources (OER), electronic databases etc. The learning environment extends beyond the four walls of the classroom creating a global online community.

c) Learner sensitivity and sensibilities is improved through the use of technology to enabled differentiated instructional to address the learning needs to a much more diverse community of leaners.

d) Finally integration of technology in learning allow students to navigate through the use of online tools that enabled students be acquainted with the tech-skills required in a globalized work environment.