The Evolution of Educational Technology

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At the same time, some criticize that being taught online isn’t always successful. In the article, The Hybrid Shift: Evidencing A Student-Driven Restructuring Of The College Classroom, Biddix, Chung Joo Chung, and Han Woo Park states that “students tended to learn similarly in all online or all face-to-face courses, but performed better academically in blended classrooms” (Biddix, Chung, and Park 2). I believe the success rate of how helpful and effective it is to be in class totally depends on individual to individual. I have completed the Statistics course last semester with an A without attending class and by watching videos online. I did far better than eighty five percent of students who have attended classes regularly.

I was not introduced to the educational use of digital technologies till I came to college. I have seen many things I have not seen when I was in highschool, like taking quizzes and exams online, submitting homework online and it gets graded right away by a machine. Stokes mentioned in her article Decoding Learning: The Proof, Promise And Potential Of Digital Education that “we can see automated marking systems like AssignSim,xvii which provides learners with automatic feedback based on comparisons of their peers’ work” (Stokes 10). This shows how in a positive way we are using digital technologies and it makes life easier for the professors and students. We as students don’t have to wait for days to get our grades back which makes us worry less.

Using technologies efficiently and effectively is an essential element for success in education. Many educators now believe that the benefits of social networking is exceptionally outstanding. Biddix, Chung, and Park quotes Junco, Heibergert, and Loken (2011) “to examine the effect of Twitter on student engagement and academic work, the researchers, also faculty participants in the study, used Twitter both in-and out-of class for a variety of tasks including extending class discussions, reminding students about deadlines, and activities designed to connect students and faculty” (Biddix, Chung, and Park 2). The study was a success and showed students engaged more online tweeting than answering in classes. My accounting professor has done the same thing, on the first day of class, he made the students follow him on twitter for educational purposes. I ended up using Twitter more often and seeked help by tweeting him instead of asking for help in class.

The world of digital technology will continue to grow and it is in our hands whether or not we try to keep with with the advancement or stop and stare. Everything around us is evolving and even educational field is trying to adapt with the technological revolution.