Educational technology encompasses a wide range of technologies that can be used to help students learn more effectively. However, as new hardware and software become available for students and teachers, the exact nature of such technology can change quite frequently. This type of technology can be used in and out of the classroom, and it can be used by teachers or by students to help them learn materials on their own. Computer software that allows students to communicate with each other online, smartboards in the classroom, and educational video games are all examples of this technology.
One of the most important features of educational technology is that it is always changing and improving as technology advances in general. A number of educators devote a significant amount of time and effort to figuring out how to use new technology effectively in and out of the classroom. Virtual classrooms over the Internet now offer students entire schools and degrees, providing new educational opportunities for students all over the world.
These online classes are one of the most significant ways that educational technology has altered people’s perceptions of education. Online classes allow students to view video of lectures given in a classroom, which can even be a virtual classroom in which a teacher stands in front of a digital image that changes to reflect the material being discussed, using various utilities and software applications. Students can also use technology to communicate with one another online, using forums to keep track of class discussions and sharing resources to collaborate on group projects via telecommunications.
Classroom hardware, such as smartboards, can also be considered educational technology. These are dry erase whiteboards that connect to a computer and can serve as both a whiteboard and a monitor. Teachers can use special markers to draw and interact with computer data by typing information or playing videos on a computer, which is all displayed on the smartboard. Teachers can use this educational technology to provide students with more unique and experiential learning opportunities.
A number of software companies are also investigating video games as a form of educational technology. While educational games have been criticized in the past by some gamers, a few developers have found ways to make educational games enjoyable and educational through entertainment. Such games frequently encourage players to improve their language skills by allowing them to use words and spelling to create effects in the game world, allowing them to demonstrate progress and success through effective communication. These games frequently have a positive impact on young players, who learn to associate success with critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.