Gone are the days when only chalk, duster and blackboard ruled the classroom environment. With the advent of technology, the face of education is undergoing a massive change. The user friendly interface of the Internet has encouraged more and more
teachers to use technology and blend its resources with classroom teaching to facilitate a better understanding of concepts. Teachers want new technology because it provides new learning experiences and a motivation to learn for the students.
In a country like India, where schools in remote areas lack basic facilities such as desks and chairs for its pupils, equipping every classroom or even every school for that matter with the latest technology is a distant dream as of now. The enterprise of introducing technology to assist education in Indian schools has two aspects. Firstly, the biggest hurdle to getting improved technology is budget. Installation of even the basic equipment such as a computer and a television in every classroom requires enormous cash. In a country like India, where schools in remote areas lack basic facilities such as desks and chairs for its pupils, equipping each and every classroom or even every school for that matter with the latest technology is a distant dream as of now.
Budget continues to be the main hindrance in incorporating effective technology in the learning space, particularly in the Indian scenario. Though, it is heartening to see that the Government seems to be acknowledging the advantages of technology in learning, its latest intervention being the development of Aakash, a tablet computer which was developed as part of the country's aim to link 25,000 colleges and 400 universities in an e-learning program. It was reported to be distributed among university students at a subsidized cost.
Thus, once this aspect is overcome, the second aspect can be easily dealt with, which is training teachers so that they exploit the maximum potential from these resources.
Clearly, introducing technology in the classroom is a onetime investment whose benefits are manifold. Technology provides with an interactive space for both the teachers and students to interact, motivating and encouraging them to learn. It offers various methodologies, particularly in 3D which can aid in transforming boring concepts to intriguing ones.
With teachers having accepted the significant role of technology in education, let’s aspire for a day very soon in the near future, when every child of this country has undergone this enhanced learning experience.
