The past two years have been nothing but transformative for the education industry. Online learning has managed to become the norm in many universities around the globe, just as remote work has done for the job market.
According to recent research, 60% of online students reported improved soft skills, with 85% citing critical thinking and problem-solving as the skills they’ve learned. With future generations being increasingly tech-friendly, it’s no wonder technology enables them to develop everything from IT literacy to soft skills.
Given how much time today’s students spend using smartphones, laptops, and tablets, it’s not surprising that online learning has taken root so rapidly and successfully. Let’s discuss the role of technology in online learning and how students can benefit from studying remotely instead of commuting to and from campus.
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Distance Learning
With the high costs of academic education rising every year, it’s less and less viable for students to apply to universities abroad. While there are ways to get scholarships or tuition from NGOs and funds, many students will be left unable to attend the school they want.
Technology enables students to use their devices to attend universities worldwide or to simply use independent learning resources to develop their skill sets. With technology at their disposal, the only thing students have to think about is finding stable internet access, and they’re good to go.
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Learning Resources Accessibility
Technology enables students to access learning resources from around the globe – it is not a centralized ordeal. That means you can learn not only about academic subjects but also spruce up your resume and learn new skills in your spare time.
When you’re short on time and need to hand in critical essays or papers, you can also reach out to essay writer services to help yourself out. This provider can deliver stellar papers on a budget. As you can see, there is so much that you can do with the internet and technology at your fingertips rather than by relying solely on printed publications and official academic resources.
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Future-Proofing the Learner
More and more industries rely on technology to get things done. It’s now very difficult to find a profession that won’t require you to use smart devices to get things done. By learning via online platforms, students can effectively future-proof their skill sets. This can help them improve their resumes for future job applications and make it much easier for them to do independent online research. Technology enables learners to make proverbial ends meet on their own by finding the best places to learn from, familiarizing themselves with reliable and unreliable resources, and learning how to use technology in general.
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Device Flexibility
Online learning is an excellent way for students to engage with their study materials because of how flexible it is in terms of technology. You don’t need a specific piece of equipment to start learning online – any smart device will do. Here are only a few devices that can serve as game-changers for your remote learning:
- Desktop PC
- Tablet
- Smartphone
- Laptop
Regardless of the brand, model, or technical specifications, a smart device with internet access will act as your gateway to online learning without fault. This is amazing because it opens the door toward distance learning for students worldwide and doesn’t require them to relocate or spend exuberant amounts of money on equipment.
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Higher Learner Engagement
Gen Z learners love using technology daily. Due to that, utilizing technology to retain their engagement is a great idea. Checking out different online learning platforms will give you a better indication of what you can accomplish if you integrate technology into your learning process. Today’s K-12 students, as well as future freshmen, can benefit significantly from embracing technology-first learning. With a smartphone or a laptop in hand, a student can engage in AR or VR learning, use various online platforms to gather resources, and benefit from multimedia content.
This was nigh impossible to do only a few years ago, but with the global pandemic popularizing remote learning, it’s now more than an option. Instead, it’s now possible to prepare for exams, write papers, or even interact with other students worldwide to accomplish much more than before. Best of all, it’s simply more fun and exciting to learn by using technology rather than just relying on printed books and documentation to do so.
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Different Learning Styles Accommodation
Not all learners will learn in the same way, especially at a young age. Some students may have dyslexia, suffer from ADHD, or have various learning problems which can make it difficult for them to engage in traditional learning. However, technology opens the doors for multimedia content to be incorporated into learning.
This can make it far easier for everyone to learn in the style they find most suitable for themselves, regardless of what others may be doing. In the long-term, this means more educated professionals ready to take on the job market of the future regardless of any learning difficulties they might have run into.
Embracing Technology in Online Learning
Whether you’re a student, a teacher, or a parent, technology is undoubtedly here to stay when it comes to learning. If you want to learn more about IT, marketing, and sales or tackle academic topics like history, finance, or law, technology will enable you to do so more easily.
Only time will tell to what extent technology will be present in formal education in the coming years, especially due to the high integration costs associated with equipping schools and universities with modern technology. Until then, the best way you can future-proof your learning process is by discovering new platforms to learn from and using them to your advantage, both academically and professionally.
