ROLES and FUNCTIONS of EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

in the 21st century EDUCATIONPrepared by:Pino, CathyBEED

The term “21st century” has become the central part of educational thinking and planning for the future. Administrators and Teachers are actively searching for ways to prepare students for the future, and the educational system has been evolving faster than ever before.

Creating a 21st century education system is about making sure that all students are prepared to succeed in a competitive world-a world with plenty of opportunities for highly skilled individuals and limited options for everyone else.

It's about maximizing the impact of technology to develop proficiency in 21st century skills, support innovative teaching and learning, and create robust education support systems.

The Role of education is to prepare students to become active, successful, and contributing members of society.

In order to prepare students to play their role in the 21st century society we are a part of , the following can be considered when deciding how education will look in our schools and classrooms.

1.) INSTRUCTION SHOULD BE STUDENT-CENTEREd The days of lecturing teachers has passed

though not entirely. Student-centered learning is strongly encouraged in the 21st century.

They will not be able to call upon a teacher for answers, so will need to have “

Learned how to learn’ on their own. Teacher would act as a facilitator for the

students.

2.) EDUCATION SHOULD BE COLLABORATIVE

Students must learn how to collaborate with others. Students should be encouraged to work together to discover information, piece it together, and construct meaning.

3.) LEARNING SHOULD HAVE CONTEXT

Student-centered does not mean that the teacher gives up all control of the classroom. Students are encouraged to learn in different ways, the teacher still provides guidance as to the skills that need to be acquired.

the role of technology in 21st century learning

1.) Technology allows for 24/7 access to information

2.) Constant social interaction, and3.) Easily created and shared digital content

There is a call for action to integrate technology as a fundamental building block into education in three broad areas.

1.) Use technology comprehensively to develop proficiency in 21st century skills.

Used comprehensively technology helps students develop 21st century skills.

2.) Use technology comprehensively to support innovative teaching and learning.

Used comprehensively, technology supports research –based approaches and promising practices in teaching and learning.

3.)Use technology comprehensively to create robust education support systems.

Used comprehensively, technology transforms standards and assessments, curriculum and instruction.

IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY1.) Improvement of Teaching By developing the theories of teaching, it helps

in improving the quality of education.2.) Analysis of the Teaching-Learning ProcessEducational technology aims at analyzing the

process of teaching learning thoroughly.3.) Improvement of Learning Educational Technology analyses the process of

learning and the related theories. It takes the help of various empirically established generalizations from psychology, sociology, physical sciences and etc.

4.) Enhancing Goals of Education Educational Technology helps in enhancing the right

objectives in the light of the changed circumstances and changed environment.

5.) Training to TeachersEducational Technology can render its valuable help

in the training of teachers .

6.) Development of Curriculum Curriculum is the total learning environment which

has to be modified and remodeled in the light of latest thoughts.

7.) Development of Teaching-Learning MaterialsTeaching-learning materials are also as

important as anything else in the teaching-learning process . They have to be in accordance with the environment of the learners.

8.) Teaching-Learning StrategiesA strategy plays an important role in the

hands of a teacher in every teaching-learning situation.

9.) Development of Audio-Visual AidsAudio-visual aids have always played an

important role in the teaching-learning process. They need be used according to the times.

10.) Help in Overall Improvement Educational technology can revolutionize the

whole process of teaching learning.

11.) Identification of Needs of the Community Educational Technology aims at identifying the

needs of the community from time to time. Then it tries to improve the community in every possible way.