The education world has changed a lot over the last few years. Technology has changed the typical education environment so much that classrooms in 2014 look far removed from what they looked like just a decade or two ago. Both students and the institutions now an array of educational benefits that the new wave of technology has brought. Here are some of the ways technology has changed education.

Use of wearable technology

Wearable technology refers to devices that can be worn on any part of your body. The devices have the ability to perform various tasks and functions. The biggest head turner amongst these is the Google Glass. It allows the user to do basic computing and solved problems without touching any other device. There are other devices, like smart watches, that allow recording of speech, checking of emails and even web browsing. The wearable camera is also growing in popularity. It allows students to capture what is happening around them every 30 seconds; a great tool for field work exercises these days. Wearable technology is in its infancy, but is going to find its way more and more into educational establishments.

Digital signage

Many educational establishments have installed digital signage in order to increase student engagement and ensure transfer of information to both staff and students. Many universities have displays in each department, showing department centric content, and display in lobbies, cafeteria and libraries too. The traditional communication gap between institution and students is being bridged by the use of this technology. Videonations, a UK supplier of presentation systems and digital signage solutions, state that Educational establishments are one of the fastest growing digital signage markets.”

Use of tablets and smartphones

Many schools, colleges and universities have adopted the BYOD structure where students are expected to come with their own devices and gadgets to school. Tablets are becoming a more common sight in schools. The future of technology appears to be voice and swipe, rather than tap and type, and our young learners are being familiarised with the technology from an early age. More lessons than ever are done without pen and paper, as the transition to the keyboard and onwards to voice is in full swing.

Online learning

Now this one isn’t really new, but technology has made it a lot better than it was in the past. It was compulsory for modules to be downloaded and read by the student in the past but now, AV technology means students can take part in live classes from anywhere in the world. Apart from taking classes, the interaction between students and institutions have been transformed by videoconferencing technology.

In the classroom

We are well on the way to full transition from blackboard, to whiteboard and on to interactive whiteboard. Learning is now more interactive and the technology facilitates the easy incorporation of more digital and Internet content.

Presentation systems in classrooms have changed too. A few years ago it would have been unusual to see a teacher using PowerPoint. Nowadays, the overhead projector is seen as a little archaic.

These are just a few ways that technology has changed education for the better.