With the enhancement of technology that has been evident in the past years, technology has become an integral part of most of the activities carried out by humans. For instance, technology has become an integral part of business, socializing, and education. In the contemporary world, learning is aided by technology in all levels.
As children are introduced to learning, technological tools like smart phones, iPads, laptop computers, minicomputers etc., are increasingly being used. In other levels of learning, technology is inseparable with the learning process. It makes the learning process and the process of instruction an effortless task. This paper is an investigation of the ways in which technology can be used to enhance literacy learning, and how technology can be used in educating early year’s leaners.
Instruction can prove to be a rather difficult task, especially if there is no sufficient equipment to aid it. This is especially the case if the learners are young, and thus they cannot easily understand what they are being taught. The use of technology in learning has come in handy in such situations. Young learners can now use technology tools both in school and at home to enhance their learning. Some of these tools include iPads, mini computers, laptop computers, smartphones etc.
These tools are normally equipped with services that enable easier access of simplified information. For instance, children, with the help of their teachers and parents, can access graphical images on the internet that can help them in understanding their classwork. The same case applies with iPads and smartphones, which are equipped with high-speed internet connection. They can also play digital games that help to improve their analytical skills (Sweeney, 2010).
For older learners, technology is, perhaps, the most efficient learning tool being used today. The internet has enabled easier sharing of data, like notes, assignments, etc. In the contemporary classroom, assignments are submitted online, and the feedback to the same is also transmitted online.
Tutors have the option to use projectors in classroom in order to reach students well without wasting too much time writing on the board. Technology has therefore made learning more effective, time saving, and even cheaper. The latter benefit can be explained by the fact that in the past, students had to print every assignment in order to be evaluated.
Another technological tool that has found popularity among older learners is the use of blogs in learning. Teachers are increasingly encouraging their students to use blogs in their learning. Most of the teachers have their blogs on which students sign up and access materials like notes.
Perhaps the most beneficial aspect of blogs is their ease of sharing. Debates and discussions can be held on blogs, where students and their teacher post their contribution to a given controversial topic. This aids the learning process because the students are able to get different views on a particular topic and evaluate them to know which point is worth taking (Groff, 2009). Teachers may also share learning materials like notes and assignments on their blogs, or even communicate to their students about burning issues.
From the above discussion, it is apparent that technology is a very useful learning tool. It has been used for both the preparatory levels of learning and the advanced levels of learning. It simplifies learning by enabling learners to access more information easily. This makes the learners stay up-to-date with information without wasting a lot of time. All learning institutions should thus appreciate this fact and embrace technology in their learning programs.
Reference List
Groff, J. (2009). Using the technology of today, in the classroom today. Web.
Sweeney, T. (2010). Student’ Use of ICT in the Early Years. Web.