Emerging technologies from the advancement of digital teaching, learning, and assessment through the use of new media to bring a variety of senses; in education and beyond have been undertaken. This article highlights some emerging technologies that are impacting traditional classrooms. The emergence of these technologies has facilitated many possibilities for international schools in Mexico, Dubai, India, and Third World countries offering learners opportunities to access educational resources without geographical restrictions.
Technologies in Education:-
The ongoing establishment of the free education system in many nations is primarily driven by the advent of technologies. Tools such as the internet and digital equipment have brought about technology-driven education. At this forefront, ICT has highlighted the onset of technology-driven. In a lot of developing nations, a paperless approach to learning takes place. In remote areas like rural parts of Africa, lack of instructional facilities and trained specialists has led to widespread use of information and communication technologies. The use of ICTs for teaching purposes is on an upward trend because these play a vital role in empowering teachers and learners for selling courses.
Here are some of the latest technologies that have the ability to revolutionize learning for students:
- Near Field Communications (NFC)
Near field communication also referred to as NFC is an advanced type of communication technology. It enables the transfer of data between two devices when they are a few centimeters apart. The distance required for this is 10-30 cm and it can be used to transfer almost any kind of data like contact information, addresses, notes, etc.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Machine Learning
Artificial Intelligence is not a new type of technology, however, it has consistently gained in importance over the past few decades because its applications have become more varied. It has been recognized as “the most important technological change since the beginning of the computer age” by Kevin Kelly who is editor-at-large for Wired Magazine. He further points out that AI could make computers smarter than humans.
- Augmented Reality (AR)
Augmented Reality (AR) is a technique that involves the integration of digital information with the user’s perception of the real world. This technology can be used for many applications in online courses, engineering, industrial maintenance, and medicine. AR is used to create virtual information by adding to the perception of reality by means of sound, video, or other sensory stimuli. The end result is a hybrid reality that allows users to experience new ways of learning and interacting with content.
- Virtual Reality (VR)
Virtual Reality (VR) is a computer technology that uses virtual-reality headsets and software to generate the realistic images and sounds of the virtual world. It is highly used in education and training, simulation, gaming, entertainment, and architecture, etc. VR provides an artificial environment for experiencing an event or situation that simulates real life.
- Robots
Robots are unmanned mechanical devices that can be programmed to perform specific tasks automatically. These multi-function machines are used for building works; military purposes; manufacturing purposes; scientific purposes; and even for personal use like searching for information on their own using the internet or playing games.
- Bots and chatbots
Bots are also known as chatbots. These are conversational agents that are designed to simulate human interaction in virtual or physical environments. They do all the work of answering questions and interacting with the users through artificial intelligence without any direct human intervention.
- Smartboards and technology-enhanced whiteboards (TEWBs)
Smartboards are electronic whiteboards that are widely used in international schools all over the world. These TEWBs combine different types of displays using different technologies to improve learning especially for primary school students through their interactive displays, internet access, video, speakerphone, etc.
Conclusion:-
There has been a lot of discussion about smart learning. Educational institutions have now recognized the need to use technology in classrooms and the need to ensure that such technologies are appropriately selected, used, and managed. In this regard, teachers must be at the forefront when developing curriculum and designing instruction. This is because they understand the learning needs of their students. Furthermore, they know how best to use technology to improve instruction through online courses platform.